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 non-plug and play device, you must reconfigure the computer after completing installation of the new hardware. In Windows, use the Add Hardware Wizard and follow the instructions that appear on the screen.

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 A-10Solving 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.

 

 

Solving Hardware Installation Problems 169