New HW Wizard doesn't search internet

[Terry Pinnell]

Can any of the experts please tell me where to find the setting that makes
the New Hardware Wizard search the internet (or Windows Update)?

I used to get that facility and now I never do. On my XP Pro PC the search
is only local, either my HD or CD drive (I don't have a floppy drive.)

 

[Tim Meddick]

Maybe I'm not an "expert" but certainly I would describe myself as an
"intelligent enthusiast"...

The following part of the registry are responsible for controlling
Driver Search Locations ......

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\DriverSearching]
"DontSearchCD"=dword:00000001
"DontSearchWindowsUpdate"=dword:00000001
"DontSearchFloppies"=dword:00000001


....just delete the entry when you want to permit *that* location / and
create a new [dword] entry and give it one of the above names, when you
want to deny *that* location.

Each DWORD value MUST be set to 1 to enable it (setting it to 0 [zero] is
the same as it's complete absence).

Hope this information is that you require....

=

Cheers, Tim Meddick, Peckham, London.


P.S. The free utility - FreshUI.exe - has this and hundreds of other
settings and "tweaks" for ALL (32-bit) versions of Windows.
http://www.freshdownload.com/cgi-bin/arp3/arp3-t.pl?l=13&c=912073

 

[Terry Pinnell]

Maybe I'm not an "expert" but certainly I would describe myself as an
"intelligent enthusiast"...

The following part of the registry are responsible for controlling
Driver Search Locations ......

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\DriverSearching]
"DontSearchCD"=dword:00000001
"DontSearchWindowsUpdate"=dword:00000001
"DontSearchFloppies"=dword:00000001


...just delete the entry when you want to permit *that* location / and
create a new [dword] entry and give it one of the above names, when you
want to deny *that* location.

Each DWORD value MUST be set to 1 to enable it (setting it to 0 [zero] is
the same as it's complete absence).

Hope this information is that you require....

=

Cheers, Tim Meddick, Peckham, London.


P.S. The free utility - FreshUI.exe - has this and hundreds of other
settings and "tweaks" for ALL (32-bit) versions of Windows.
http://www.freshdownload.com/cgi-bin/arp3/arp3-t.pl?l=13&c=912073

Can any of the experts please tell me where to find the setting that
makes
the New Hardware Wizard search the internet (or Windows Update)?

I used to get that facility and now I never do. On my XP Pro PC the
search
is only local, either my HD or CD drive (I don't have a floppy drive.)

Thanks Tim, appreciate the help. But I seem to have stumbled at the first
hurdle, as I cannot find that key! Nor even the main \Windows key:
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4019461/DriverSearching-1.jpg

 

[Terry Pinnell]

Thanks Tim, appreciate the help. But I seem to have stumbled at the first
hurdle, as I cannot find that key! Nor even the main \Windows key:
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4019461/DriverSearching-1.jpg

However, good news! I tried the alternative of HKLM
and found the key you describe. My screenshot explains progress so far:

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4019461/DriverSearching-2.jpg

 

[Tim Meddick]

Didn't you consider the "FreshUI" alternative (in the postscript of first
reply) that I suggested before ?

It's as valid a way of getting what you want as any other.

If the key and values wasn't in the location I specified - it's possible
that it could be under the

[HKEY_USERS\.Default]

....key.

Also, I'm not sure, but look in the same location as given before, but
under the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE] key.


One more thing; there's a set of values that specify the default install
locations, at

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\.......
........Windows\CurrentVersion\Setup]
"Installation Sources"=""


(BeAware; I separated long line with \.......\ for line-wrap deferral)

==

Cheers, Tim Meddick, Peckham, London.

 

[Zaphod Beeblebrox]

However, good news! I tried the alternative of HKLM
and found the key you describe. My screenshot explains progress so
far:

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4019461/DriverSearching-2.jpg

Didn't you consider the "FreshUI" alternative (in the postscript of
first reply) that I suggested before ?

It's as valid a way of getting what you want as any other.

If the key and values wasn't in the location I specified - it's
possible that it could be under the

[HKEY_USERS\.Default]

...key.

Also, I'm not sure, but look in the same location as given before,
but under the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE] key.


One more thing; there's a set of values that specify the default
install locations, at

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\.......
.......Windows\CurrentVersion\Setup]
"Installation Sources"=""


(BeAware; I separated long line with \.......\ for line-wrap
deferral)

BTW, the [HKEY_USERS\.Default] key is not used by any local users, nor
does it store machine-wide settings. It is used by the System account
(typically for tasks performed when no one is logged on - like what
background to display and what screen saver to use when sitting at the
login screen, etc.)

Terry's response that he tried the alternative of HKLM meant he found
and was using the same key under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE.

In general, most settings can be applied in HKLM or in a specific
user's registry to override the global behavior of the HKLM setting.

--
Zaphod

Pan-Galactic Gargle Blaster: A cocktail based on Janx Spirit.
The effect of one is like having your brain smashed out
by a slice of lemon wrapped round a large gold brick.

 

[Tim Meddick]

It depends on the specific registry setting - for some, the User's key will
override the same LM value, and for others, the LM value will override the
User's...

It just depends what setting we are referring to.... I believe it's aka:
"Per User" settings (or not, as the case may be).

So I said "look at the corresponding key but under HKLM rather than the
User's key".

I have no list that tells me which reg-values can be reproduced in the
other's key to override the setting it controls!

But it would seem reasonable to me to just look and see if such a
corresponding value did exist.

However, you are right about the [.Default] key - it's stupid a mistake I
keep making.

==

Cheers, Tim Meddick, Peckham, London.

Thanks Tim, appreciate the help. But I seem to have stumbled at the
first
hurdle, as I cannot find that key! Nor even the main \Windows key:
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4019461/DriverSearching-1.jpg

However, good news! I tried the alternative of HKLM
and found the key you describe. My screenshot explains progress so far:

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4019461/DriverSearching-2.jpg

Didn't you consider the "FreshUI" alternative (in the postscript of
first reply) that I suggested before ?

It's as valid a way of getting what you want as any other.

If the key and values wasn't in the location I specified - it's possible
that it could be under the

[HKEY_USERS\.Default]

...key.

Also, I'm not sure, but look in the same location as given before, but
under the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE] key.


One more thing; there's a set of values that specify the default install
locations, at

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\.......
.......Windows\CurrentVersion\Setup]
"Installation Sources"=""


(BeAware; I separated long line with \.......\ for line-wrap deferral)

BTW, the [HKEY_USERS\.Default] key is not used by any local users, nor
does it store machine-wide settings. It is used by the System account
(typically for tasks performed when no one is logged on - like what
background to display and what screen saver to use when sitting at the
login screen, etc.)

Terry's response that he tried the alternative of HKLM meant he found and
was using the same key under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE.

In general, most settings can be applied in HKLM or in a specific user's
registry to override the global behavior of the HKLM setting.

--
Zaphod

Pan-Galactic Gargle Blaster: A cocktail based on Janx Spirit.
The effect of one is like having your brain smashed out
by a slice of lemon wrapped round a large gold brick.

 

[Tim Meddick]

It depends on the specific registry setting - for some, the User's key will
override the same LM value, and for others, the LM value will override the
User's...

It just depends what setting we are referring to.... I believe it's aka:
"Per User" settings (or not, as the case may be).

So I said "look at the corresponding key but under HKLM rather than the
User's key".

I have no list that tells me which reg-values can be reproduced in the
other's key to override the setting it controls!

But it would seem reasonable to me to just look and see if such a
corresponding value did exist.

However, you are right about the [.Default] key - it's stupid a mistake I
keep making.

==

Cheers, Tim Meddick, Peckham, London.

Thanks Tim, appreciate the help. But I seem to have stumbled at the
first
hurdle, as I cannot find that key! Nor even the main \Windows key:
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4019461/DriverSearching-1.jpg

However, good news! I tried the alternative of HKLM
and found the key you describe. My screenshot explains progress so far:

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4019461/DriverSearching-2.jpg

Didn't you consider the "FreshUI" alternative (in the postscript of
first reply) that I suggested before ?

It's as valid a way of getting what you want as any other.

If the key and values wasn't in the location I specified - it's possible
that it could be under the

[HKEY_USERS\.Default]

< clipped >

 

[Tim Meddick]

It depends on the specific registry setting - for some, the User's key will
override the same LM value, and for others, the LM value will override the
User's...

It just depends what setting we are referring to.... I believe it's aka:
"Per User" settings (or not, as the case may be).

So I said "look at the corresponding key but under HKLM rather than the
User's key".

I have no list that tells me which reg-values can be reproduced in the
other's key to override the setting it controls!

But it would seem reasonable to me to just look and see if such a
corresponding value did exist.

However, you are right about the [.Default] key - it's stupid a mistake I
keep making.

==

Cheers, Tim Meddick, Peckham, London.

Thanks Tim, appreciate the help. But I seem to have stumbled at the
first
hurdle, as I cannot find that key! Nor even the main \Windows key:
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4019461/DriverSearching-1.jpg

However, good news! I tried the alternative of HKLM
and found the key you describe. My screenshot explains progress so far:

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4019461/DriverSearching-2.jpg

Didn't you consider the "FreshUI" alternative (in the postscript of
first reply) that I suggested before ?

It's as valid a way of getting what you want as any other.

If the key and values wasn't in the location I specified - it's possible
that it could be under the

[HKEY_USERS\.Default]

< clipped >

 

[Tim Meddick]

Sorry for the double-post - My Outlook Express 6 is playing up again....

==

Cheers, Tim Meddick, Peckham, London.

 

[Terry Pinnell]

Didn't you consider the "FreshUI" alternative (in the postscript of first
reply) that I suggested before ?

It's as valid a way of getting what you want as any other.

No, but I have installed it now thanks and will try it shortly.
(Oddly, I found I already had a frui.exe, downloaded a couple of years
ago, but apparently so far unused. Its size is 865 KB and its version is
shown as 0.0.0.0, but so is this latest download, despite its 1.48 MB
size.)

However, my problems with this pesky Hardware Wizard have escalated
greatly. I must have spent 10-15 hours researching and experimenting so
far, but still no solution. I've posted about it in another group
(uk.comp.homebuilt) but will also now do so here as well in a separate
thread 'Hardware Wizard problems with USB devices' shortly.

If the key and values wasn't in the location I specified - it's possible
that it could be under the

[HKEY_USERS\.Default]

...key.

Also, I'm not sure, but look in the same location as given before, but
under the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE] key.

Yes, that's what I did, as per my follow-up a few minutes later!

One more thing; there's a set of values that specify the default install
locations, at

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\.......
.......Windows\CurrentVersion\Setup]
"Installation Sources"=""

Thanks, yes, I came across that during later research but have yet to
investigate (for reasons above).

 

[Terry Pinnell]

Press Windows key/Break key, or open Control Panel, System. Click
Hardware tab, "Windows Update" button, make your selection.

Thanks Joe. The setting I'd made there wasn't 'sticking', but I'll have
another try.