Removing Hidden Devices In Windows 2000/XP/2003
Last Updated: 03 Sep 2004
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*** PLEASE NOTE: Link(s), If Provided, May Be Wrapped ***
If you change the slot that a video or network card was
using, you may end up being asked to install the drivers
for that device. With network cards, you may even get a
message similar to the following:
"The IP address xx.xx.xx.xx is in use by another adapter."
Here's what you need to do to get rid of this message,
and clean your device manager of these extra adapters.
At the command line, type the following:
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SET devmgr_show_nonpresent_devices=1
start devmgmt.msc
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Then, from the VIEW menu, choose "View Hidden Devices"
and remove/uninstall the older devices/components. As
always, exercise extreme caution with the Device Mgr.
CONSOLE COMMANDS
• DRIVERQUERY ............ Native Utility (View Loaded Drivers) -- XP/2003
• SC ..................... Native Utility (View Loaded Drivers) -- XP/2003
• DRIVERS ................ Resource Kit (View Loaded Drivers)
WHITEPAPERS & TECH DOCUMENTS
• http://support.microsoft.com/?KBID=311272
• http://www.winnetmag.com/windowsnt20002003faq/Article/ArticleID/20756/windowsnt20002003faq_20756.html
• http://support.microsoft.com/?KBID=222444
PERSONAL NOTES
• For the SC command (also available in the 2000 ResKit)
use the following syntax: SC QUERY TYPE= DRIVER
• This is a good option if you forget to uninstall a
driver before removing the physical device.
• If you always want this functionality, it would be
best to set the Environment Variable permenently.
RELATED TOPICS (ALSO IN THIS ARCHIVE)
• http://KB.UltraTech-llc.com/?File=ACPI.TXT
• http://KB.UltraTech-llc.com/?File=DiskAdmin.TXT
• http://KB.UltraTech-llc.com/?File=EnvVars.TXT
• http://KB.UltraTech-llc.com/?File=Hardware.TXT
• http://KB.UltraTech-llc.com/?File=Services.TXT
• http://KB.UltraTech-llc.com/?File=Processes.TXT
