Solving Hardware Installation Problems
You may need to reconfigure the computer when you add or remove hardware, such as an additional drive or expansion card. If you install a plug and play device, Windows automatically recognizes the device and configures the computer. If you install a
To open the Add Hardware Wizard, open a Command Prompt and open hdwwiz.exe.
WARNING! When the computer is plugged into an AC power source, voltage is always applied to the system board. To reduce the risk of personal injury from electrical shock and/or hot surfaces, be sure to disconnect the power cord from the wall outlet and allow the internal system components to cool before touching.
Table 7-10 Solving Hardware Installation Problems
A new device is not recognized as part of the system.
Cause | Solution |
|
|
Device is not seated or connected properly. | Ensure that the device is properly and securely connected |
| and that pins in the connector are not bent down. |
|
|
Cable(s) of new external device are loose or power cables | Ensure that all cables are properly and securely connected |
are unplugged. | and that pins in the cable or connector are not bent down. |
|
|
Power switch of new external device is not turned on. | Turn off the computer, turn on the external device, then turn |
| on the computer to integrate the device with the computer |
| system. |
|
|
When the system advised you of changes to the | Reboot the computer and follow the instructions for |
configuration, you did not accept them. | accepting the changes. |
|
|
A plug and play board may not automatically configure when | Use Windows Device Manager to deselect the automatic |
added if the default configuration conflicts with other devices. | settings for the board and choose a basic configuration that |
| does not cause a resource conflict. You can also use |
| Computer Setup to reconfigure or disable devices to resolve |
| the resource conflict. |
| To access Device Manager in Windows 7, click Start, select |
| Control Panel, and then select Device Manager. |
| To access Device Manager in Windows 8, from the Start |
| screen, type c, select Control Panel from the list of |
| applications, and then select Device Manager. |
|
|
USB ports on the computer are disabled in Computer Setup. | Run the Computer Setup utility and ensure that Device |
| available is selected for appropriate USB ports under |
| Security > USB Security. |
|
|