How to recover ability to install a device

[m.fortune]

Long, long ago -- maybe two months ago -- installation of a device
failed, but I do not remember which device. The problem is that I can
not install anything, no devices, not even some software.

I want to recover the ability to install and use devices. In "Add
Hardware", the error is:

"You can install only one device at a time. Another device
installaton is underway. -- when finished, you can try this wizard
again."

This message has appeared when I attempt to install USB devices, or
even software.
It also appears when I plug in a new device.

Thanks.

 

[Rich Barry]

Rt click MyComputer>select Prop>Hardware>Device Manager>USB
Controllers>Expand and rt click on each one and
select Uninstall. Remove any USB devices and then restart. WinXP should
reload all of them.