Device Manager Information for Windows 7

How to open Device Manager and view error codes

This document applies to HP and Compaq computers with Windows 7.

This document contains information about using the Device Manager utility and information about Device Manager error codes.

NOTE:You must be logged on as an administrator to change settings in Device Manager. Other users can view settings, but not make changes.

Figure 1: Device Manager

Device Manager stores information about the devices installed in the computer. Device Manager stores the following information:

Whether the device is working properly and error messages if not

Installed hardware devices

IRQ ports

Memory allocations

Device driver

Device Manager allows you to make changes to the device properties.

How to open Device Manager and view error codes

To view error codes in Device Manager, follow these steps:

Click Start , and enter Device Manager into the Search field. Click Device Manager .
Figure 2: Opening Device Manager
Double-click a device type (for example, double-click Display adapters ) to see the devices in that category.
Right-click the device you want, and then click Properties .
Figure 3: Click Properties
Click the General tab to view the device status.
Figure 4: Example of a normal status message
Figure 5: Example of a message for a status problem
NOTE:If the device is experiencing a problem, the type of problem is displayed. You might also see a problem code and number with a suggested solution. For more information on error codes and what they mean, refer to Detailed error code information .You can also submit a Windows Error Report to Microsoft by clicking Check for solutions , if that button is present.

Understanding the Device Manager tabs

In Device Manager click the plus sign (+ ) next to a device type, right-click a specific device, and then select Properties . A properties window is displayed.

Some of the common tabs are shown below. The properties window for some devices might include other tabs not listed here, including:

Details

Volumes

Advanced

Click the heading or the accompanying plus (+) sign to expand the information:

Show all | Hide all

General tab

The General tab provides information such as device type, manufacturer, and device status.

Figure 6: General tab

Driver tab

The Driver tab provides details about the driver and enables you to update, roll back, disable, or uninstall a driver.

Figure 7: Driver tab

Resources tab

When you click the Resources tab, the window in the middle of the tab indicates which resource types are available for the selected device.

Figure 8: Resources tab

The scroll box at the bottom contains a Conflicting device list . If a conflict is occurring, an error code is displayed on this list.

When Windows successfully detects a device, the Use automatic settings check box is selected. The device should function correctly.

If the resource settings for a device are based on Basic Configuration <n> (where <n> is any number from 0000 to 0009), it is possible to change the configuration by selecting a different Resource setting from the list.

If the settings for the device are not based on a Basic Configuration, click the Change Setting button and manually adjust the resource values. For example, to edit the Input/Output Range setting, use these steps:

Click the Use automatic settings check box to clear it.
Click the Change Setting button.
Click the appropriate I/O range for the device.
Save the new setting and click OK to exit.
Restart the computer for the new settings to be recognized.

Device Manager toolbar

Use the Device Manager toolbar to perform various actions to the devices you have on your system. See the table below for an explanation of the toolbar buttons.

Figure 9: Device manager toolbar buttons

Symbol	Definition
	Shows/Hides Console Tree of the Device Manager on the left side of window.
	Displays the properties of the selected device.
	Opens the Device Manager (Microsoft Management Console) Help files.
	Displays the Device Manager Actions pane, which shows you possible actions to correct a device problem.
	Scans for hardware changes.
	Updates driver software for that device, if available.
	Uninstalls this device from your system.
	Disables this device on your system.

Rolling back a driver

If a device fails after updating the driver, roll back to the previously installed driver.

Open Device Manager.
Double-click the device type. For example, double-click Display adapters to see the devices in that category.
Right-click the device you want, and then click Properties .
Click the Driver tab.
Click the Roll Back Driver button, and follow the directions on the screen.
NOTE:If the Roll Back Driver button cannot be selected, the driver has not been updated and cannot be rolled back.
Figure 10: Rolling back the driver

Device Manager error symbols

Device Manager uses the following symbols to provide information about a particular error condition with a specific system device:

Symbol	Definition
	Indicates the device is in a problem state. A device in a problem state can be functioning. A problem code explaining the problem is displayed for the device.
	Indicates a disabled device. A disabled device is a device that is physically present in the system, consuming resources, but does not have a protected-mode driver loaded.
	On a device resource in Computer properties, indicates that Use Automatic Settings is not selected for the device and that it was manually selected. It does not indicate a problem or a disabled device state.
	This indicates that an exact (device-specific) driver is not available, and that a compatible driver has been installed.

Detailed error code information

In the table below, several errors can be resolved by updating the driver. For driver, BIOS patches, and software updates, use the HP driver and software downloads search page . Search for the Model Number for your computer to get a list of the available updates.

NOTE:To remove a device from device manager, right-click the device name from the list and then click Uninstall .You can also update a driver from the Driver tab of a device Properties page. Double-click the device name to get to the Properties page in Device Manager, click the Driver tab, and then click the Update Driver button.

Listing of Device Manager error codes and suggested resolutions

Device Manager error codes
Error code	Error description	Suggested resolution
Code 1	Device is not configured correctly	To resolve the problem, follow the instructions in the Device Status box. In addition, you might be able to resolve this issue by removing the device in Device Manager, and adding the device through Control Panel.
Code 2	Depending on which device is failing, you might see one of two different messages. This code indicates that the device loader (DevLoader) did not load a device. When this device is a Root Bus DevLoader (for example, ISAPNP, PCI, or BIOS), the following message is displayed: Windows could not load the driver for this device because the computer is reporting two <type> bus types. (Code 2) When the device is not root bus DevLoader, the following message is displayed: The <type> device loader(s) for this device could not load the device driver. (Code 2)	Try updating the BIOS . Try removing the device from Device Manager and restart the computer to reinstall/reinitialize the device.
Code 3	Device might be corrupted or computer is low on memory or other resources.	Try removing the device from Device Manager and restart the computer to reinstall/reinitialize the device. Restarting the computer or deleting large files from the hard drive might also resolve this issue.
Code 4	INF file for this device is incorrect or the registry is corrupt. For example, the .inf file specifies a field that should be text, but is binary instead.	Try removing the device from Device Manager and restart the computer to reinstall/reinitialize the device. If you continue to receive this error code, update the driver.
Code 5	Device failure due to lack of an arbitrator.	To resolve this error code, update the driver as suggested If you continue to receive this error code, try removing the device from Device Manager and restart the computer to reinstall/reinitialize the device.
Code 6	Conflict between this device and another device.	Click the Resources tab in the device properties to manually enter the settings or replace the device with one that is Plug and Play compatible.
Code 7	No configuration can be performed on the device.	If the device works correctly, you do not need to perform any steps to correct the code. If the device does not work correctly, try removing the device from Device Manager and restart the computer to reinstall/reinitialize the device. If you continue to receive this error code, try updating the driver.
Code 8	Device loader (DevLoader) for a device could not be found. For example, the .inf file for the device might refer to a missing or invalid file.	For most cases, the resolution is to reinstall or update the driver. As an alternative, try removing the device from Device Manager and restart the computer to reinstall/reinitialize the device. If you continue to receive this error code, contact the hardware manufacturer about updated drivers.
Code 8	If the DevLoader is a system DevLoader, the following text is displayed: This device is not working properly because Windows cannot load the file <name> that loads the drivers for the device.	To fix this problem, perform a system recovery.
Code 9	Information in the registry for this device is invalid.	It might be possible to resolve this error by using Device Manager to remove the device, and then reinstalling the device. If you continue to receive this error code, contact the hardware manufacturer for the proper registry settings.
Code 10	Device failed to start (for example, it is missing or is not working properly). This message can vary greatly because the text for this message can come from the driver.	To resolve this error code, make sure the device is attached to the computer correctly. For example, make sure all cables are connected firmly and that all adapter cards are inserted into their slots fully. Follow the suggested solution button and update the device driver. It might be possible to remove the device and re-detect it automatically.
Error code	Error description	Suggested resolution
Code 11	Device failure.	Try updating the driver. Try removing and reinstalling the device Make sure the device is compatible with this version of Windows.
Code 12	Two device are assigned to the same resource or the BIOS settings are not providing the driver with enough resources.	To resolve this error code, disable or remove one of the devices that is involved. Click the Resources tab in the device properties to manually enter the settings, or replace the device with one that is Plug and Play compatible.
Code 13	Device failed due to a problem with the device driver.	Try removing the device from Device Manager and restart the computer to reinstall/reinitialize the device.
Code 14	Device has a problem that might be resolved by restarting your computer.	Restart the computer.
Code 15	Device resources are conflicting with another device resources.	To resolve this error code, click the Resources tab in the device properties to manually enter the settings, or replace the device with one that is Plug and Play compatible.
Code 16	Device was not fully detected. When a device is not fully detected, all of its resources might not be recorded.	To resolve this error code, click the Resources tab in the device properties to manually enter the settings or replace the device with one that is Plug and Play compatible. Update the driver, if available.
Code 17	Hardware is a multiple-function device and the .inf file for the device is providing invalid information on how to split the device resources to the child devices.	Try removing the device from Device Manager and restart the computer to reinstall/reinitialize the device. If you continue to receive this error code, please contact the hardware manufacturer about updated driver or installation files.
Code 18	Device needs to be reinstalled.	To resolve this issue, follow the recommended solution. If that does not work, try removing the device from Device Manager and restart the computer to reinstall/reinitialize the device.
Code 19	The registry returned an unknown result.	To resolve this issue, follow the recommended solution, which will run Scanreg.exe. If this does not resolve the issue, type scanreg/restore from a command prompt. Finally, remove the device from Device Manager, and re-detect by installing the device again.
Code 20	VxD Loader (Vxdldr) returned an unknown result. For example, there could be a version mismatch between the device driver and the operating system.	To resolve this issue, follow the recommended solution. If that does not work, try removing the device from Device Manager and install the device again.
Error Code	Error description	Suggested resolution
Code 21	The device has a problem that might be resolved by restarting your computer.	Restart the computer.
Code 22	This device is disabled.	To resolve this error code, enable the device. To do so, right-click the device name in device manager, select Enable , and then restart the computer. If this does not work, try removing the device from Device Manager and restart the computer to reinstall/reinitialize the device. Is the device disabled in the BIOS? Try enabling the device from the BIOS setup utility .
Code 23	The device loader delayed the start of a device and then failed to inform Windows when it was ready to start the device.	To resolve this error code, verify the settings for the primary display adapter in Display properties. Try removing the primary and secondary display adapters from Device Manager, and then restarting the computer. Verify that the drivers are current and installed correctly. For devices other than display adapters, follow the recommended solution. If that does not work, try removing the device from Device Manager and restarting the computer.
Code 24	Device is not present, is not working properly, or does not have all its drivers installed.	To resolve this error code, follow the recommended solutions. If the device still does not work, make sure that the device is connected to your computer correctly. For example, make sure that all cables are correctly installed, or that the adapter cards are properly seated in their slots.
Code 25	This problem typically exists only during the first and second boots after Windows Setup copies all the files. As such, if this code is identified, it is likely an incomplete installation.	To resolve this issue, follow the recommended solution. Performing a system recovery might be required.
Code 26	A device did not load correctly. There might be a problem in the device driver or not all the drivers were installed.	To resolve this error code, follow the recommended solution. If this does not work, use Device Manager to remove the device and then restart the computer. If you continue to receive this error code, try updating the driver.
Code 27	The portion of the registry describing possible resources for a device does not contain valid entries. For example, the device is marked as configurable, but the configuration information in the .inf file is set to hardwired.	To resolve this error code, use Device Manager to remove the device and then restart the computer. If the device still does not work, try updating the driver.
Code 28	Drivers are not installed.	To resolve this issue, follow the recommended solution. If that does not work, try removing the device from Device Manager and restarting the computer. You need to obtain drivers if the error still occurs.
Code 29	The device firmware did not provide enough resources.	Update the driver for the device. If the error continues, the device might be incompatible with the version of Windows you are using, the device hardware might have failed, or the connection to the device might be bad.
Code 30	An IRQ cannot be shared.	There might be two hardware devices that are jumper set to the same IRQ. Update the hardware to Plug and Play compatible versions or correct the jumper settings.
Error code	Error description	Suggested resolution
Code 31	Windows cannot load the drivers required for this device.	Update the driver for the device. If the error continues, the device might be incompatible with the version of Windows you are using, the device hardware might have failed, or the connection to the device might be bad.
Code 32	A driver (service) for this device has been disabled.	The start type for this driver is set to disabled in the registry. Try removing the device from Device Manager and restart the computer to reinstall/reinitialize the device.
Code 33	Windows cannot determine which resources are required.	Is the device compatible with the version of Windows you are using? You might need to replace the device with a Plug and Play compatible device.
Code 34	Windows is unable to determine the configuration settings for a device you are attempting to install.	To resolve this error code, click the Resources tab in the device properties to manually enter the settings or replace the device with one that is Plug and Play compatible.
Code 35	The device you are trying to install cannot be properly configured for use.	Try updating the BIOS .
Code 36	The device Interrupt request (IRQ) parameters need reconfiguration.	Consult the documentation that came with the hardware and use the BIOS setup utility to change IRQ settings.
Code 37	Windows is unable to initialize a hardware device driver.	Try removing the device from Device Manager and restart the computer to reinstall/reinitialize the device. If you continue to receive this error code, update the driver.
Code 38	Driver cannot be installed because an instance of the driver already exists in system memory.	Restart the computer. Update the driver if the error continues.
Code 39	Windows cannot find the driver for a device.	Try removing the device from Device Manager and restart the computer to reinstall/reinitialize the device. If you continue to receive this error code, update the driver.
Code 40	Windows cannot access a device because the service key information is incorrect, or does not exist in the registry.	Try removing the device from Device Manager and restart the computer to reinstall/reinitialize the device. Perform a system recovery to recover the registry if the error persists.
Error code	Error description	Suggested resolution
Code 41	Windows successfully loaded the device driver for this hardware but cannot find the hardware device	Do the following: Remove the device name from Device Manager and shut down the computer. Remove the device from the computer and then reconnect it to make sure the connection is good. Turn on the computer. If the error continues, make sure the device is compatible with the version of Windows being used.
Code 42	The device driver cannot be installed because an instance of the device already exists in system memory.	Restart the computer. If the error persists, use the Troubleshooting tab to help correct this problem. If you have two devices of the same type and manufacturer, remove one of them from the computer.
Code 43	A device driver is not functioning properly.	Restart the computer. If the error persists, use the Troubleshooting tab to help correct this problem.
Code 44	An accidental device shutdown has occurred.	Restart the computer. If the error persists, use the Troubleshooting tab to help correct this problem.
Code 45	Currently, this hardware device is not connected to the computer.	This error code requires no action.
Code 46	The device is not accessible because the operating system is in the process of shutting down. The device should work properly when you restart the computer.	This error code requires no action.
Code 47	The device is not accessible because it is in safe removal mode, but has not yet been uninstalled.	Unplug the device from the computer and then plug it back in. Restart the computer to reactivate the device.
Code 48	The software for this device has been blocked from starting because it is known to have problems with Windows.	Update the driver or replace the device with compatible hardware.
Code 49	Windows cannot start new a device because the registry size limit is exceeded.	Resolve this error by using the Device Manager to uninstall any unwanted or unused devices, and then restart the computer. You might need to perform a system recovery to restore the registry.