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I have a dell dimension 3000 and windows XP operating system with service pack 2.
Although existing pre installed hardware works fine, windows will not install / recognize any new hardware, either via a disk supplied with the hardware or direct from the suppliers web site. The drivers appear to download onto my system direct from the manufacturer’s web site, but when for example the I try to plug a new camera or Web cam after downloading the drivers, windows Found New Hardware runs, but then a window pops up saying
'Problem installing this hardware USB device. An error occurred during installation of the device. The data is invalid'
I have checked the USB ports via the device manager all of which say they are working properly (although this is incorrect as the 2 front ports no longer work). I have also tried the update driver tab for each which advisesthere is no new update.
Not sure if it has any relevance but, The Phillips DVD drive supplied with the original system has also recently stopped working, which I am currently replacing with a Pioneer DVR 125.I'm on virgin media broadband, havea Zone Alarm firewall and AVG antivirus software, which I have closed down and tried to then install devices incase they are having any affect, but this does solve the problem.
I am sorry that this is so lengthy, but I am now at a complete loss as to how to resolve the problem as I am not sure if the problem is with the windows install shield / USB connections or either.
If you have any suggestions I would be very grateful as I am at a complete loss why windows will no longer recognize or install any new hardware.
Re: WIndows XP won't install/ recognise new hardware
1. Start the computer. 2. During preboot Press F8 repeatedly to display the startup menu. (alternative below) 3. Select Safemode from the startup menu and continue. 4. Right-Click "Mycomputer". 5. Select Properties. 6. Select Hardware Tab. 7. Click "Device Manager" button. 8. Click (+) plus sign next to hardware or components in question. 9. Right-Click each hardware in question and select uninstall. 10. Perform steps 9 for all the components that are having issues. 11. Restart the computer.
Alternative into Safemode:
1. Click Start, then run.
2. Type msconfig and hit enter key.
3. Click BOOT.INI tab.
4. Check /SAFEBOOT
5. Click OK
6. Reboot PC
Upon reboot into Windows, your PC should attempt to install drivers for the hardware that was uninstalled in Steps 9-10. Keep in mind though that Windows will choose the best match possible drivers for the hardware in question. Once Windows has installed the drivers, I normally reboot the system again, if Windows doesn't mention it or not. Also, you may want to reset your boot option into normal mode, like mention in Step 2 or Alternative Option just uncheck /SAFEBOOT and restart computer.
NOTE: I'm sure you've already updated Window from Microsoft, If not, you should.. just in case Windows Update have crucial updates to your problem or similar. There also maybe updates to your hardware as well when the scan is performed. -- Good Luck
Re: WIndows XP won't install/ recognise new hardware
Ok firstly can you see the DVD drive in BIOS or any USB Devices Within Bios ?
If yes , we have just solved your problem to both your USB and DVD Drive problems , it being windows , it is failing to communicate device anomalies and is failing to handle device operations.
If the answer was no , you most probably have a faulty motherboard and the problem in question is most likley the south bridge , this is responsible for handling plugged in devices , IDE devicesUSB controller etc.. and communicating with the CPU
On another note in windows you could try one of two things:
1. Completly remove existing drivers , including the chipset and USB control drivers and reinstalling them , then rebooting and trying it all again
or
2. Reinstall the Windows OS and test your devices once more
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To perform a system restore, go to start ->programs->Accessories->system tools->system restore .There you need to select option restore you computer to a previous date. chose a date and click on finish..it will continue restoring
Installation checkup
If you already have a copy of XP in your hot little hands and you're not sure yet whether your system is compatible,
you'll find the XP Setup routine contains built-in compatibility checking. You can save yourself a lot of headaches if you:
Read the compatibility report which is generated automatically
at the beginning of the installation and take note of its findings.
Remove any items that are likely to cause problems. If the
compatibility checker finds any likely problems, uninstall or disable
any incompatible software and remove any incompatible hardware (if
possible) before continuing. Particular software to watch out for is CD
burning software, system utilities and antivirus software. Check the
manufacturers' sites for updated drivers and software and install
them before trying to run XP Setup once more.
And watch out for your USB hardware, as XP seems to be
particularly
finicky about which USB devices it will support. Once again, check
the
manufacturers' sites for updated drivers.
Abide by any warnings from Windows. I deliberately ignored XP's
warning that the USB Smartcard reader
I installed was likely to cause problems. The result? A blue
screen of death, a series of reboots, and the forced removal of the
offending Smartcard reader.
(In fact, it gave me a chance to use one of XP's nifty features:
Device
driver rollback. Worked a treat!)
reinstall CD will not help u do a clean install after formating, so u need to get a windows install CD....try piratebay.org u can get the torrent link file there for any win OS and download that, it will get u the full working version of any Win OS in google do a search "Torrent piratebay Windows XP" u also need to get/install BitTorrent software from google/internet to get the torrent link file...
the full file of WinOS say 400 - 700 mb may be a ISO file that u need to burn to a CD so that u can boot from the disk and install windows
AH yes, Kristen very familiar with your issue, it is trying to load the primary boot record from a device it dosen't see , ( re: a floppy thats not there) you need to check the BIOS and make sure the booting sequence is correct (re:disable floopy if one dose not exist, etc) please write back if you need help doing all of these things
What it sounds like is happening is that not all features of MS Word are installed and the system is looking for the installation CD to obtain some necessary feature/option. Don't cancel the installation. Put in the Office CD and let it perform the update.
As for Windows XP service pack 3, you likely need to validate your operating system. The Microsoft website will prompt you accordingly... let it validate and you should be able to download SP3.
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