Multiple instances of a device

[Guest]

Awhile back ago I stummbled across a way to remove the multiple instances of
the same device from the device manager. Now, I can't remember how to do it.
The problem is I have multiple devices listed in the device manager,
especially those plugged into different USB ports. Example: Printers will
show Printer, Printer #2, Printer #3, etc. Same goes for my scanner, cell
phone and other devices. Also, I am frequently changing hard drives in the
machine (not the system HD). How do I remove the information from the
previous hard drives. I had seen a way to do this too, but have forgotten.

 

[R. McCarty]

You're speaking about "Phantoms", devices known to XP but not
active in the current hardware profile. Open Device Manager, then
click View, tic/check "Show Hidden Devices". Now the phantoms
will be shown diminished from active devices. Be careful about the
phantoms in Sound & Non-Plug and Play categories - they should
not be removed. USB devices will get replicated if they are plugged
into different USB slots because of the Host controller routing.

 

[Guest]

Once device is unplugged from USB port, the should no longer appear in Device
Manager!! Do they still up in "My Computer?

Anyway in Device Manager, select. rt click, the uninstall. If they reappear
when yuo reboot. Something else is wrong.

As far as HDD, just reformat if totally dumping the information.

 

[Guest]

I do have the show hidden devices checked, and it doesn't show any of the
duplicate devices.

 

[R. McCarty]

Huh ? - If you have "Show Hidden Devices" enabled, then all instances of
a device will appear in it's category. Perhaps you could provide an example.
Maybe I'm misinterpreting your description.

 

[Peter Wilkins]

Huh ? - If you have "Show Hidden Devices" enabled, then all instances of
a device will appear in it's category. Perhaps you could provide an example.
Maybe I'm misinterpreting your description.

Not quite: there is a registry entry you need to turn on first to
activate the "show hidden devices". It sometimes defaults to off.
I've done it but damned if I can find where yet - oldtimers memory,
sorry.

 

[R. McCarty]

Are you talking about setting an Environment variable called
DevMgr_Show_NonPresent_Devices = 1 ? I totally forgot
about that one -

Opps, maybe it's time to quit for today.

Huh ? - If you have "Show Hidden Devices" enabled, then all instances of
a device will appear in it's category. Perhaps you could provide an
example.
Maybe I'm misinterpreting your description.

Not quite: there is a registry entry you need to turn on first to
activate the "show hidden devices". It sometimes defaults to off.
I've done it but damned if I can find where yet - oldtimers memory,
sorry.

 

[Guest]

So where would one go to change this setting. I tried searching the registry
for that variable but did not find anything.

 

[R. McCarty]

Right Click My Computer, then Properties, and then the
Advanced (TAB). Next click the Environment Variables
button. In the bottom half (System Variables), Click New
in the variable name box add ...
DevMgr_Show_NonPresent_Devices and tab to variable
value and set it to 1.
This setting is persistent and will remain in place.

 

[Guest]

This worked! Thanks.

Right Click My Computer, then Properties, and then the
Advanced (TAB). Next click the Environment Variables
button. In the bottom half (System Variables), Click New
in the variable name box add ...
DevMgr_Show_NonPresent_Devices and tab to variable
value and set it to 1.
This setting is persistent and will remain in place.