Unknown device

[rebell1952]

I am showing an "unknown device" in the Device Manager and Device Doctor does not detect it. Can anyone tell me how I might go about figuring out what the device is and how to get the driver?

[Thomas]

You can compare with details acquired in Windows: Start > Control panel > System, Hardware tab, Device manager. Or use some other device scanner out there, to compare the results.

[rebell1952]

In case I wasn't clear, it was Device Manager that was reporting the unknown device and no details of any kind were available. I had been getting notifications that there was an unknown device and Windows 7 recommended that I disable the device, which I did. After downloading "Device Doctor" I enabled the device to see if DD would find it, it did not. But, after doing the scan (and posting my question) I rescanned for hardware changes and the "unknown device" notification disappeared and I can find no device listed in any category that was not there before, so it remains a mystery. Windows 7 is like that, it does a lot of weird stuff at times. Currently, it is not recognizing my internal "G" wifi card, but once, when I started in "safe mode w/networking" the OS loaded the driver and the card worked fine, until I left "safe mode" and it hasn't appeared since in any mode. But since my machine (a Compaq laptop) is out of warranty, HP will not talk to me about the problem. Anyway, thanks for your time.[/i]

[GuidoZ]

This program has always saved my butt in times like that - http://www.halfdone.com/Development/UnknownDevices/

Though it's "old" (June 2007) and technically Beta, it's yet to fail me! At worst it will at least give you something to Google. Though the information it provides in those cases are available through Device Manager, it's buried and can be difficult to locate.

--
Peace. ~G

[Esha]

I'm having the exact same problem. I downloaded DD in hopes that I would be able to download a driver that is missing for my MP3 Player but DD did not detect that the driver was missing nor did it come up in the updates. I know that the driver is missing because my Device Manager said that it could not recognize what I know to be my MP3 because I had to delete the driver and now it isn't coming up on the list so that i can get a new one.

Help Would GLADLY BE APPRECIATED!

[Thomas]

Hi Esha, in case you don't have the installation CDs that were coming with your mp3 player, your best bet is to visit the website of the manufacturer of your device and download the driver from them.

[zbuckone]

If you download Driver Magician you will find it has a scan for unknown devices. I use both programs myself. It's good to have one to check against the other to check for inconsistencies or listings one may have and not the other. Hope this is helpful.