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

[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.

 

[elftech]

This sounds interesting. Please let us know if it works. Sounds like
windows should re-detect the devices.

 

[R. McCarty]

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.

 

[Guest]

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!!

 

[Phillip Pi]

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.

:

--
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.