Make Windows solve your device problems

If you are having problems with a particular device under Windows Me or later, try removing it and then let Windows Me reinstall the device

Here's how to do it:

1. Click Start, point to Settings, point to Control Panel, and then click the System icon.
2. Click the Device Manager tab. (in Windows XP, that's the Hardware tab and then the Device Manager button). The problem category should automatically open within the list. If a device is not working properly, there will be a yellow circle with a black exclamation mark inside it; if it's not working at all, there will be a red X.
3. Click on the problem item to highlight it, and then click Remove.
4. During start up, Windows Me should detect the device you just removed and automatically run the Add New Hardware Wizard. If you recently downloaded new drivers make sure you use the wizard's 'Have Disk' option to ensure that Windows installs the new drivers and not any old ones.

Hint: When you download new drivers from hardware manufacturers or Windows Update, copy them to a floppy or blank CD. That should save some time and heartache if ever you need to reinstall your operating system

David Dorn