Systen find Phantom Hardware

[Loris]

I'm running Windows XP Home edition and at one time I had
a PCTel 56K modem which I replaced with a U.S Robotics.
Everything worked perfectly. Recently I got cable
broadband using an ethernet cable which ran slow and tech
support suggested I try replacing the cable. I used a USB
cable instead of the ethernet and it works fine; however,
now whenever I boot up I get the "Found new hardware
wizard" claiming that it found the device HSP56 MR (VIA)
and PCTEL communications controller. What is it finding
and what can I do about it?

Loris

 

[Nathan McNulty]

Sounds like it is finding your Router. First off, I recommend using an
ethernet cable for your connection. Second, if there is no need for your
dialup modem anymore, remove it or have it removed. Thirdly, you may
need to edit the registry to get this message removed if you don't want
to use an ethernet cable. I can suggest how to do this, but most people
shouldn't dabble in their registry. Finally, you can try updating your
chipset drivesr (Motherboard drivers that control your USB Controller).

 

[Guest]

Thanks for the response. I would like to keep my modem
connection as a backup and it's free. It isn't this modem
that is causing the problem; it's the prior modem, which
has been removed. I wasn't getting the message until I
disconnected the Ethernet cable. Incidentally, the second
piece of hardware it finds is not PCTEL communications
controller as I stated in my post, but rather PCI Simple
Communications Controller. I'm curious as to why you feel
the Ethernet connection is better than the USB connection
to my cable modem. Also the USB driver is the one that
came with the modem just about a month ago.

I don't mind dabbling with the Registry, if you can point
me in the right direction. However, I'm still confused as
to what it is finding to cause the messages and why it's
finding them now. I'm interested in this on a more
theoretical level than practical. Thanks again.
Loris

 

[Nathan McNulty]

My DSL Modem offers both USB and Ethernet. USB has acted weird and
shuts off occasionally, but I've never had problems with a network
cable. I feel that the network cable is just a better method since
Windows doesn't have to "install" the device and can't directly control
it if it is plugged in through a network cable.

Here is where you would look in the BIOS to figure out what is going on
for USB. Open Regedit and navigate to:
HKLM-System-CurrentControlSet-Enum-USB
HKLM-System-CurrentControlSet-Enum-PCI


Check under each of the VID_Xxx (USB) and VEN_Xxx (PCI) and find which
ones are causing you the problems. Now delete the folder that starts
with Vid_Xxx (or VEN_Xxxx) that contains your Modem or anything that is
causing the problem under it. Reboot and see if that installs it and
fixes the problem.