Is there a way to force Windows XP to redetect all hardware devicesafter switching to a new motherbo

  • Thread starter Thread starter Phillip Pi
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Phillip Pi

Hello!

I know I can do a repair installation to make Windows XP redetect the
hardware setup (http://www.dougknox.com/xp/tips/xp_repair_install.htm).
I have done this a few times in the past. However, this method requires
reinstallations of drivers (e.g., same sound card), service packs,
updates, redoing stuff I removed from XP's installation, reconfiguration
in some parts of XP, etc.

Is there another way to do this? IIRC in Windows 98, I could remove
everything from Device Manager in safe mode, reboot, and let Windows
redetect everything. Does this work for XP?

Thank you in advance. :)
--
Phillip Pi
(e-mail address removed) (remove SYMC to reply by e-mail)
Software Quality Assurance Analyst
Norton SystemWorks (PC)
Symantec

Please do NOT e-mail me for technical support. DISCLAIMER: The views
expressed in this posting are mine, and do not necessarily reflect the
views of my employer.
 
This sounds interesting. Please let us know if it works. Sounds like
windows should re-detect the devices.
 
Perhaps, Open Device Manager, Click View change to "View
Devices by Connection". Expand the ACPI Key, a sub-key w/
ACPI Compliant will appear. This key will contain everything
on the PCI bus. You can try a Right Click then Uninstall. If it
works it should remove everything on the bus. Just a suggestion
to save individually removing components. Probably best tried
while in safe mode.
 
Still, this is a more preferrable way than losing your registry database and
program files/settings. My processor went and took the motherboard with it on
august 27th. Ever since, i've been worried about losing my settings and files
due to this. Like you, i remmebered in windows 98 and me i could take a hard
drive and put it on another motherboard. It would then redetect my hardware.
With windows xp, i thought i would be alot more pickier. Thanks to your
solution, i don't have to lose everything. Thanks!!
 
Thanks. I wonder why people suggest using repair installation in the
first place where this one is a lot easier and quicker to do!


Hi,

Yes deleting the device from Device Manager will cause windows xp to reboot
and on reboot if it is a plug and play device then it will be detected and
prompt you to complete the installation.

If u find that the hardware is not detected you can insert the driver cd and
then perform the setup to install the drivers manually.
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--
Phillip Pi
(e-mail address removed) (remove SYMC to reply by e-mail)
Software Quality Assurance Analyst
Norton SystemWorks (PC)
Symantec

Please do NOT e-mail me for technical support. DISCLAIMER: The views
expressed in this posting are mine, and do not necessarily reflect the
views of my employer.
 
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