Device manager has an empty window, and is running.

[Guest]

Clean install of VP-Pro 64, running for 9 months. Suddenly my PCIexp-SLI
video has only basic generic drivers, and Sys/conflicts shows two. However,
device manager window is completely empty. I went and re-started it, and it
shows running, but still empty! I need it to delete the two video cards in
order to reinstall. Help, guys?

Thanks

 

[glee]

From: http://www.pcbuyerbeware.co.uk/Image2.htm
<quote>
A situation, which seems to be related to the Windows XP Plug and Play service, can
sometimes occur in which the Device Manager is completely devoid of information on
the devices.

To check if the service is running, enter msconfig in the Start => Run box. Open the
Services tab in the System Configuration utility's window. If the Plug and Play
service isn't listed, uncheck the option in the box beside Hide All Microsoft
Services.

The option for the Plug and Play service should be enabled and should be shown to be
running. If it isn't running, right-click the My Computer entry on the Windows Start
menu and choose Manage. On the Computer Management window, expand the entry for
Services And Applications and click Services. Make the Standard tab display its
contents and locate the entry for Plug and Play. Double-click this entry and set the
Startup type to Manual. Next, click the Start button under the Service type in the
same window. The service should start, and the window can be closed. Should any
warnings appear during this process, just click OK. The Device Manager should now be
displaying all of its information.
</quote>

I suggest, if the service is already running, that you go to Services in Computer
Management, click Stop, then click Start to restart the service.

Also, from: http://www.annoyances.org/exec/forum/winxp/t1051715405
<quote>
If Device Manager is showing nothing, then Its the plug and play service
that is the problem. But if the Device manager is showing the system_name
and not showing any devices in the window, then check the security
permissions on the Registry key HKLM\SYSTEM\CURRENTCONTROLSET\ENUM .The
SYSTEM account must have full control permissions on this key in order for
the Device manager to list all the devices in the window.
</quote>

 

[Guest]

Nope, tried the Pnp and did the full permissions trick. I also went to the
forum link and retried the HKEY routine with meticulous instructions. All
with no result. Still an empty window. Another quirk is the Ctrl/Alt/Del
window has no header or tabs at the top, and no "X" box to close it with.
When I started this odyssey, I had no sound. I restored as far back as I
could go, which was 2 1/2 weeks, and that fixed the sound issue.

HELP!!!. please.

 

[glee]

Dunno what is going on regarding your Device Manager. How many times have you used
a restore point to go back, just the one time going back 2-1/2 weeks?

Sounds like you have Task Manager (Ctrl+Alt+Del) in Tiny Footprint Mode:

Task Manager Menu Bar and Tabs Are Not Visible
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=193050

To switch Task Manager to its normal display mode, double-click the top border of
the window.

 

[Guest]

I have restored twice. Once to last week, and then to a week and 1/2 earlier.
The first restore corrected my sound problem, but neither fixed the device
mgr. I've tried the PNP, changed permissions on HKEYs, and gone to the
advanced tab to enable pasdown permissions to child.... all to no avail.

 

[glee]

I have restored twice. Once to last week, and then to a week and 1/2 earlier.
The first restore corrected my sound problem, but neither fixed the device
mgr. I've tried the PNP, changed permissions on HKEYs, and gone to the
advanced tab to enable pasdown permissions to child.... all to no avail.

That doesn't sound like the correct method.
Try this:

You must be logged on as a local administrator to perform this task:

1. Go to "Start", "Run", and enter "regedt32"
2. Maximize the "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE" window.
3. Scroll down to "SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Enum"
4. With "Enum" selected click the "Security", "Permissions" menu.
5. Click "Add".
6. Add the group "Everyone" and the user "SYSTEM".
7. Select "Everyone" and check "Read" ONLY!
8. Select "SYSTEM" and check "Full Control".
9. Click the "Advanced" button at the bottom of the window.
10. On the Advanced window check "Reset permissions on all child objects..."
11. Click "OK"
12. On the warning window click "Yes"
13. Close REGEDT32

Also, No Items Appear in the Device Manager List When You Open It:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/311504

Set the startup type for Plug and Play to Automatic.
To do so, follow these steps:
1. Click Start, click Run, type services.msc, and then click OK.
2. Double-click Plug and Play.

If you receive a Configuration Manager message, click OK.
3. In the Startup Type list, click Automatic, and then click OK.
4. Close Services.
5. Restart the computer.

 

[glee]

Also have a look at the threads here if nothing else helps:
http://www.annoyances.org/exec/forum/winxp/n1051715405

There are a number of other apparent causes listed there, including malware.