Plug and play/installation problem

[John Williams]

Wise ones,

I'm running XP SP1.

Can anyone suggest how I can find out what device installation is
taking place unknown to me, or give any other pointers? Even useful
Google search criteria would be a help, as I've had no success there.
Here's what is happening:

When I try to run the Add Hardware wizard from Control Panel, I get
the following error message:

"Cannot Run Two Device Installations.
You can install only one device at a time.
Another device installation is underway, and when it is finished you
can try this wizard again."

Unfortunately, to the best of my knowledge, no other device
installations are taking place.

Currently plug and play is not always working as expected, for example
I had to install an HP5850 printer from Device Manager, loading
drivers from the supplied CD, as when running the HP CD install
utility, the printer wasn't recognised as a printer when connected at
the required time. When plugged in, the printer was designated as
"other", which may or may not be linked with the above.

 

[Alceryes]

The printer is probably your problem. Check the install CD to see if they
have a 'cleaning' utility on it. Sometimes the USB drivers can get corrupted
by installs gone awry.

 

[Alceryes]

Any ideas on how to find out what it thinks it is installing?

Not off hand.
The long route would be to start unplugging devices one by one. Trying the
Add Hardware wizard in between each. Hopefully you won't have to start
pulling out PCI cards as well...

 

[John Williams]

The printer is probably your problem. Check the install CD to see if they
have a 'cleaning' utility on it. Sometimes the USB drivers can get corrupted
by installs gone awry.

Thanks, all is okay with the printer. The system still thinks
something is being installed though, so the "Add hardware" wizard
throws a fit.

Any ideas on how to find out what it thinks it is installing?

 

[John Williams]

Not off hand.
The long route would be to start unplugging devices one by one. Trying the
Add Hardware wizard in between each. Hopefully you won't have to start
pulling out PCI cards as well...

Ta. Not my idea of fun! I'll live with it until it becomes a real
problem.