Add Hardware Wizard Disabled - How to re-enable

[Guest]

I was having some difficulty with my DV camera (connected via firewire), so I
decided to try a different cable. For some reason, Windows decided I was
trying to install new hardware and ran the add new hardware wizard. It
decided that the new hardware couldn't be installed, and I clicked the
"Finish" button - realising too late that the "don't prompt me/try to install
this hardware again" box was ticked. So now, even connecting the camera to
the old ports with the old cable, Windows doesn't actually identify it. How
can I undo the "failed" installation so my computer recognises that I have
attached new hardware again? Previously the computer identified the camera no
problem. And even now the camera recognises that it's plugged into a PC (the
"DV in" symbol appears) - it's just that Windows no longer accepts that it's
there. Any help gratefully received.

 

[Peter Howarth]

Hi,

I'm presuming you're using WinXP - if not, you might need to amend my
instructions to suit.

The 'Add hardware wizard' isnt disabled as such, it just isn't popping up
for this particular device any more because you ticked the box.

You need to go to start->control panel->system. Click on the 'hardware'
tab, then click 'Device manager'.

In there you will see a list of all the devices on your system. It is
highly likely the camera is already showing, with a little yellow
exclamation mark next to it (see below if not). Double click it, and click
the 'reinstall driver' button which appears. This will re-launch the
hardware wizard for this device.

If the camera isn't showing, then Windows is presumably fairly happy with
the camera, whether you think it is nor not. To add/update the drivers for
it (which I presume is what you're trying to do) you need to locate it in
the list by clicking the '+' next to each section until you find it. I'm
afraid I don't know which section a Camera would be listed under.

HTH,

Peter.