Installing Themes SP3 Problem

After installing SP3, was your XP theme reverted to the original XP theme? Or in other words, are you not able to install a theme on XP SP3?

Windows has disabled unsigned themes for Windows XP SP3 and does not allow you to install them for security reasons.

Heres how you fix it:
Download and Install WindowsXP SP3 UxTheme Patcher here: http://pcsofts.cn/application/windowsxp-sp3-uxtheme-patcher-v12.html

This patch modifies a system file to allow you to install your unsigned themes.

Redirect Problem: “This page has an unspecified potential security risk. Would you like to continue?”

This is a redirect post for the following problem.

When trying to open a file, folder, etc. you get the following message from Internet Explorer...

“This page has an unspecified potential security risk. Would you like to continue?”

The solution on page...

Windows XP Problem: "Your current security settings do not allow this action"

should work, but if not, try

Windows XP zip Problem: "Your current security settings do not allow this action"

If that still will not fix your problem, then continue your search, or email me @


Hope That Helps!
-James Hartig

Received Error: "Data Execution Prevention" on Application: Windows Explorer

Received something similar to the following?

Received it only once?
Your fine! If it keeps happening, return here.

Received it multiple times?
Continue.

This problem is very vague and I am working on a complete fix to the problem, however it is kind of hard!

Solution 1 (if you remember what you did!)

1) Write down what you did to receive the popup,
it is most likely a program launch, right-click (note where too! it is very important!), folder open, etc.

This is where we part solutions...

Solution 1a (application launch)
(The "Application" is probably modifying something in the Windows environment)

Options: (Sorry, however I am at a loss here)
1) Upgrade Program
2) Don't Launch
3) Contact Vendor (be sure to be specific!)
4) Uninstall Program

Solution 1b (right-click/folder open)
(It is probably a problem with a context handler [=the things you click on in a right-click menu])

1) Download ShellExView (I recommend the ZIP)
2) Run and locate, via the "My Computer, Desktop, Control Panel, File Extension, etc." columns where the DEP error occurred
example: if it happened when you right-clicked on the Desktop, sort by the Desktop column
example2: if it happened when you right-clicked on a file/folder, sort by the File Extension column and find the file ext. or * or Folder

3) Disable any suspicious, unknown and/or obsolete handlers (Be careful!, especially when disabling any "Microsoft" handler as I would recommend not to!)
4) If the error comes back, try again, this time with different ones
If not, then your done! (note: depending on how many you removed or how much time you have, you can go back and enable one-by-one and see which one it was)

Most likely it is the context handler problem (Solution 1b).

Solution 2 (if you don't personally care about DEP and its protection)
(My opinion would be to try the ones above and then resort to this Solution)

Option 2a (simple, for beginners)
(NOT FOR WINDOWS VISTA!!! and Windows Server 2008)
1) Goto System Properties
a) Press (Windows Key + Pause/Break)
b) Right-click on My Computer and select 'Properties'
c) Control Panel -> System (or if not classic, Control Panel -> Performance and Maintenance -> System)
2) Goto "Advanced" tab
3) Under the "Startup and Recovery" section, click Advanced

4) Click "Edit" next to 'To edit the startup options file manually, click Edit.'
5) In the notepad window that opened, change the /NoExecute option to...

Options:

"/noexecute=alwaysoff" = Disables DEP. Attempts to enable DEP selectively are ignored. ALSO DISABLES PAE!!
"/noexecute=optout" = Disables DEP. However, can be enabled for certain programs via administrator.
"/noexecute=alwayson" = Enables DEP for the operating system and all processes.
"/noexecute=optin"= Enables DEP for the operating system and all processes, but administrators can disable.

Example:

multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS="Windows XP Media Center Edition" /fastdetect /NoExecute=OptIn

--would change to--

multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS="Windows XP Media Center Edition" /fastdetect /NoExecute=OptOut

6) Save and Restart Computer

(FOR VISTA!!! and Windows Server 2008)
1) Start -> Run
(if there is no Run command... do the following)
1a) Right-Click on the Start and select 'Properties'
1b) Next to the "Start Menu" selection click "Customize"
1c) Scroll Down and find "Run Command" and select the check box
1d) OK then Goto Start -> Run

2) Type and Execute "cmd"
3) In the CMD window,
"bcdedit /set nx" then one of the following options (Optout recommened)

Optin

Enables DEP only for operating system components. Administrators can enable DEP on selected executable files by using the Application Compatibility Toolkit (ACT).

Optout

Enables DEP for the operating system and all processes. However, administrators can disable DEP on selected executable files by using System in Control Panel.

AlwaysOn

Enables DEP for the operating system and all processes. All attempts to disable DEP are ignored.

AlwaysOff

Disables DEP. Attempts to enable DEP selectively are ignored. ALSO DISABLES PAE!!

4) Restart

Remember: If you are unsure, comment or email me! If you do this incorrectly your computer may not boot correctly or at all!!


Hope This Helps!
-James Hartig

Windows XP SP3: Endless Rebooting/Not Booting Solution Link

This is just a post referring users to

https://msinfluentials.com/blogs/jesper/archive/2008/05/08/does-your-amd-based-computer-boot-after-installing-xp-sp3.aspx

where a fix is posted about Windows XP SP3 and the solutions to an "endless rebooting" problem and also some situations where Windows doesn't boot at all.


Hope That Helps!
-James Hartig

Windows XP SP3: DNS server not working. Internet Sharing Client. Disable, then Enable

Windows XP SP3 Problem With Internet Connection Sharing and DNS with Clients
This fix is for the following conditions...
a) You have recently installed Windows XP SP3
b) You have enabled Internet Connection Sharing and have configured a host computer and client computer
c) You have recently disabled/enabled the Network Connection to which is being shared on the host, or have a USB network device and have removed/inserted it
(if you have not done that, this fix will most likely not work!!)
d) You cannot connect to websites, DNS is failing, etc.

Solution 1 (Very Simple!)

1) Shutdown host
2) Shutdown client
3) Turn on client
4) Turn on host


Solution 2 (If shutting down host, is not an option!)

1) Goto Run-> cmd (on the host)
2) Execute (type and enter) "net stop sharedaccess" (no quotes)
3) Turn Off Client Computer
4) Go back to cmd window on host, execute "net stop sharedaccess" (no quotes)
5) Turn on client

Please note that this must be done whenever you are enabling/disabling/removing/insterting the Internet Connection Sharing device.

If you don't want to, submit a Hotfix Request at
http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=6294451

or just download the fix here (direct hotfix from Microsoft, not modified, no spyware, no viruses, nothing!)
NOTE: This HotFix will only work for Windows XP SP3 (32-Bit) with the above problem (Especially 'c'), DON'T TRY THIS ON ANYTHING ELSE!!
http://fastest963.us.to/windowsfixes/sp3dnsfailedhotfix/WindowsXP-KB951830-x86-ENU.exe

(Note: For anyone who cares, it is a problem in the file Ipnathlp.dll)

Hope That Helps!
-James Hartig

Windows Service Pack Install Error (Q327101): Core System File (Kernel) Files Modified

Note: This will not work on Windows Vista and/or Windows Server 2008 as they do not have a boot.ini and I am working on a fix via the command line.

When trying to install a Windows Service Pack, you may receive a error resembling the following...

"Windows has detected that a core system file (kernel) used to start this computer is not a Microsoft Windows file. Due to this modification, the Service Pack will not be installed."

This may seem like a big deal, however it isn't! The problem is that you most likely have a Windows modification program that changes your theme or boot screen. Microsoft says that you need to uninstall any software to fix this problem, but that isn't necessary.

Simple and Only Solution

1) Goto System Properties
a) Press (Windows Key + Pause/Break)
b) Right-click on My Computer and select 'Properties'
c) Control Panel -> System (or if not classic, Control Panel -> Performance and Maintenance -> System)
2) Goto "Advanced" tab
3) Under the "Startup and Recovery" section, click Advanced

Windows XP

4) Click "Edit" next to 'To edit the startup options file manually, click Edit.'
5) In the notepad window that opened, remove the option /Kernel= and the file
Example (if you have Tuneup Utilities):

multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS="Windows XP Media Center Edition" /fastdetect /kernel=TUKernel.exe /NoExecute=OptIn

--would change to--

multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS="Windows XP Media Center Edition" /fastdetect /NoExecute=OptIn

6) Save the file and restart
(NOTE: IF YOU ARE UNSURE, COMMENT OR EMAIL ME!!!, IF YOU EDIT THE FILE INCORRECTLY, THE SYSTEM WILL FAIL TO BOOT!!)

7) Try installing Service Pack again.

That's All!

Hope That Helps!
-James Hartig

Remember: If you are unsure, email me or comment!!

Something Gone Wrong? Something Not Working?

Have a Windows Problem that you cannot seem to fix?
Have a look in the Event Viewer!

To Access The Event Viewer

1) Goto Start -> Run
(if there is no Run command... do the following)
1a) Right-Click on the Start and select 'Properties'
1b) Next to the "Start Menu" selection click "Customize"
1c) Scroll Down and find "Run Command" and select the check box
1d) OK then Goto Start -> Run

2) Type in the Run Box, "eventvwr.msc" (no quotes)
2a) If Windows responds with a "Windows Needs Permission To Continue." and it is for "Microsoft Management Console", click 'Continue'
3) Typically you will find all of the major incidents in "System"
4) If you see a problem (indicated by a red X), Right-click and choose 'Properties'

Windows XP

Windows Vista

5) Take Note of the "Event ID:"
6) Copy some of the information in the description and then execute a Google search
note: be sure to include information like "windows xp event [event id goes here]" also, paste some of your information like the following example!

I will be showing a problem that I recently had and have produced a fix for...

With that information I would search on Google for
"windows xp event 4321 The name could not be registered on the Interface with IP address not allow the name to be claimed"
then looking through the results I would click on

Windows Fixes: Cannot connect to Windows network? Event 4321

Thats all!

Hope that helps
-James Hartig

If you couldn't find anything, email me the whole description, ID and maybe

Cannot connect to Windows network? Event 4321

Receiving Event 4321: NetBT
The name "<workgroup name>:1d" could not be registered on the Interface with IP address <client's IP address>. The machine with the IP address <another computer's IP> did not allow the name to be claimed by this machine.

Solution 1

1) Turn off all devices on network
2) Unplug router
3) optional: turn off modem (cable, DSL, etc.)
4) count to 60 then turn back on modem
5) plug back in router
6) Turn back on computers
7) Check for 4321 error and windows network connectivity

Solution 1a

1) Check firewall
2) Firewall of pc <another computer's IP> can be blocking requests from <client's IP address>
3) Add internal network range (ex: 192.168.1.1 -> 192.168.1.255) to Trusted (or similar zone)
4) Also, make sure NetBIOS is not disabled or blocked by your firewall
4a) If "NetBIOS" is not listed as an option, try allowing/enabling the following ports:
TCP 2869
UDP 1900

Solution 2

1) Change names of all computers and possibly the workgroup name too
2) Turn off all computers after name change
3) Turn back on, one at a time
4) Check for error and connectivity after each computer is on

Solution 3

Note: This could screw up your network shares. I will explain more at end (skip there first if you are unsure)
Note2: Designed For Windows XP

1) Goto Network Connections from Control Panel
2) Choose Properties From Your Network Connection

3) Select "Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)" then press Properties
4) In the "General" tab, press Advanced
5) Goto The "WINS" tab and choose "Disable NetBIOS over TCP/IP"

6) Press OK, and Again and again until you are out
7) Restart Computer
8) Repeat on other computers on network

Note: Instead of being able to access a computer by its name (ex. //home1) you now must access its IP (ex. //192.168.1.2), in which case I recommend using a static IP for your computers, see post below.


Hope that helps!
-James Hartig

Recommended: How to create a internal static IP address for your computer.

By default, Windows uses DHCP (See Wikipedia Entry) for its way of retrieving an IP for your computer.

Note: This will not work if you are connected directed to your modem! Also, this is only recommend for people with a network of various computers.

Steps To Make Your Computer Static (Windows XP)
1) Open Control Panel > Network Connections or
Control Panel > Network and Internet Connections > Network Connection
2) Right click on the "active" Connection and choose Status
Should be like "Local Area Connection"

(Note: For some reason, on some systems, the status screen will not open? Try double-clicking on the connection or follow the instructions below...)

3) Goto the Support tab and click on Details...
(Picture Below)

-- Alternate Way To Status Screen --
1) Goto Start > Run > cmd
2) Run ipconfig /All
3) Look at the correct information under the device you tried to open the "status screen" for
(Picture Below)
-- End Alternate Way --

4) Whether you are looking at the cmd window, or the status window, write down the boxed data (IP Address, Subnet Mask, Default Gateway, DNS Server(s))
(Note: The information in the following examples do not represent "your" data, they are plainly examples)

Status Window

CMD Window

5) Go back to the Network Connections screen
(Open Control Panel > Network Connections or
Control Panel > Network and Internet Connections > Network Connection)

6) Right-click on the network connection you just looked up and this time choose properties.

7) Select Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)

8) Click Properties
9) Choose "Use The Following IP Address" and fill in the appropriate information
10) If there was more than 2 DNS servers listed, put in the first 2 in and then select ok
11) Go back into "Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)" Properties and then choose Advanced
12) Click Advanced in the bottom right corner of the "Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) Properties" window

13) Goto the DNS tab,

14) In the Add window, type the extra DNS servers that you were unable to enter in before
15) Select OK, and again until you are out of the windows
16) Restart Might Be Required

Steps To Make Your Computer Static (Windows Vista)
1) Open Control Panel > Network and Internet > Network and Sharing Center
2) Under the "Network" Section, across from "Connection", press "View Status"

3) Click on Details...
(Picture Below)

4) Whether you are looking at the cmd window, or the status window, write down the boxed data (IP Address, Subnet Mask, Default Gateway, DNS Server(s))
(Note: The information in the following examples do not represent "your" data, they are plainly examples)

Status Window

5) Go back to the Connection Status Window and click "Properties"

6) Press "Continue" on the "Windows needs your permission to continue." window

7) Select 'Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)'

8) Click Properties
9) Choose "Use The Following IP Address" and fill in the appropriate information
10) If there was more than 2 DNS servers listed, put in the first 2 in and then select ok
11) Go back into "Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)" Properties and then choose Advanced
12) Click Advanced in the bottom right corner of the "Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) Properties" window

13) Goto the DNS tab,

(Windows Vista screen is identical)

14) In the Add window, type the extra DNS servers that you were unable to enter in before
15) Select OK, and again until you are out of the windows
16) Restart Might Be Required


Congrats! Your Done!

Hope That Helps
-James Hartig

Before Installing Windows XP SP3, "Access Denied", "SP3 Failed To Install"

Before Post: Note: If you install SP3, you cannot uninstall IE7 or IE8, so if you are planning on uninstalling either in the future or at all, do it before installing Windows XP SP3!

Note2: Please stop all spyware/anti-virus software (if you feel insecure, disconnect your internet), as these might prohibit the install to save/create files and/or registry entries!

Try to install Windows XP SP3 and receive a "Access Denied" error or an "SP3 Failed To Install" error?
Similar Errors: "The Installation can not continue please click ok to undo the changes." "Windows has been partly updated and may not work properly."
This fix will fix errors in other installations/programs also, running the "reset.cmd" regularly will prevent other problems and is beneficial.
Thinking about installing Windows XP SP3 and want to not receive this error?

Here's a poorly Photoshop example... (note: your error may look different)

Preventing Access Error Problems With SP3

1) Download SubInACL
2) Install it to 'Program Files\Windows Resource Kits'
3) Make Sure subinacl.exe is in the folder 'Program Files\Windows Resource Kits\Tools', if not move it
4) Download reset.cmd (right-click 'save link as...')
or follow the following steps

How to make your own reset.cmd

1) Open Notepad
2) Paste the following...

cd /d "%ProgramFiles%\Windows Resource Kits\Tools"
subinacl /subkeyreg HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE /grant=administrators=f /grant=system=f
subinacl /subkeyreg HKEY_CURRENT_USER /grant=administrators=f /grant=system=f
subinacl /subkeyreg HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT /grant=administrators=f /grant=system=f
subinacl /subdirectories %SystemDrive% /grant=administrators=f /grant=system=f
subinacl /subdirectories %windir%\*.* /grant=administrators=f /grant=system=f
secedit /configure /cfg %windir%\repair\secsetup.inf /db secsetup.sdb /verbose

3) Save as reset.cmd (check the picture below)

-------Done------


5) Double-click the reset.cmd on your desktop and wait for it to finish (this may take several minutes)
6) Install Windows XP SP3!!

Congrats! Your Done!

Hope this helps,
James Hartig

Windows XP Tweak: Hide Drive Letter From My Computer

This tweak will hide a drive letter from showing up in My Computer, however the drive will still be able to be accessed manually by typing in the drive letter in explorer.


----Tweak Steps----

1) Start > Run > regedit
2) Goto HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\
Explorer
3) Right click in the blank space and choose New > "REG_DWORD (DWORD Value)"

4) Name is "NoDrives"
5) Right click on "NoDrives" and select Modify
5) Following the table below, enter in a DECIMAL value!!


To Hide Multiple Drives, Add their values together.
Example: A+D = 9 Decimal Value
A+C+D = 13 Decimal Value

6) Press OK
7) Close regedit window
8) Note: A restart may be required, however I did not require one.

Hope This Helps!
-James Hartig

Windows XP SP3 RC2 Released

Windows XP SP3 Release Candidate 2 has been released.

Please run the following file from Microsoft...

Sorry but RC2 is no longer on Microsoft Download servers please download SP3 via Windows Update

note: you must run this! ALSO, YOU MUST UNINSTALL ANY PREVIOUS VERSION OF SP3 BEFORE INSTALLING RC2!!!!!

Also, here is the release notes for RC2...

http://download.microsoft.com/download/c/d/8/cd8cc719-7d5a-40d3-a802-e4057aa8c631/relnotes.htm

Also, I just read that SP2 is not required, however HIGHLY recommended before installing SP3.
Also, Also, please install all possible windows updates
(custom choice on http://www.update.microsoft.com/microsoftupdate/v6/default.aspx?ln=en-us)
before running SP3 installation.

Note: I have just finished my installation process, it was very easy and took 45 minutes.

Windows XP SP3 RC2 seems to have fixed the ZIP problem and the first posted, network drag problem. Instead of just displaying an error, it now asks your permission, if you want to copy the file to the new "zone"!


Enjoy
-James Hartig

Windows XP zip Problem: "Your current security settings do not allow this action"

Note: This is not the fix for drag-drop of networked files....
Windows XP Fix For Networked Files

This should also work for any other type of file.

This is a page to fix the problem where you get a dialog "Your current security settings do not allow this action" when drag-dropping a folder/file from a .zip (ZIP Archive) to another open folder/window.

This is caused by how Windows XP SP3 (Only pre-RC2) treats downloaded files and their restrictions....

----Fix For This Problem!----
1) Right-click on the offending .zip file
2) Choose Properties
3) Click Unblock

5) Then Click Apply
6) Click OK and then you are done!

Congrats Your File Is Now Able To Be Drag-Drop Exported

Hope That Helps!
-James Hartig

[Not A Fix] Allow Blank Network Passwords [Not A Fix]

Hate memorizing all of those network users and passwords?
Don't care about security?
Then this is the article for you...

Notice: In newer XP's you cannot connect to a network share or computer with a blank password.

--- To Allow Blank Network Passwords ---
1) Goto Start > Run > secpol.msc
2) Goto Local Policies > Security Options
3) Look For "Accounts: Limit local account use of blank passwords to console logon only"
(3rd one from the top)
4) Right click and select Properties

5) Select the radio button next to Disabled then click Ok
6) Close the Local Security Settings window

Hope That Helps!
-James Hartig

[Not A Fix] Update Your DNS To A Faster/Better One [Not A Fix]

Note: This is classified as an enhancement and not a "fix".

DNS- {Domain Name System}, an Internet service that translates domain names into IP addresses.
For more information: http://www.howstuffworks.com/dns.htm

(Note: Pictures may look different on my pictures than what you are seeing because my internet is "bridged" between two connections, however I will provide the steps for a standard setup and try to provide relevant pictures)

--- Upgrading Your DNS Servers (Windows XP) ---
1) Open Control Panel > Network Connections or
Control Panel > Network and Internet Connections > Network Connection
2) Right click on the "active" Connection and choose Status
Should be like "Local Area Connection"

(Note: For some reason, on some systems, the status screen will not open? Try double-clicking on the connection or follow the instructions below...)

3) Goto the Support tab and click on Details...
(Picture Below)

-- Alternate Way To Status Screen --
1) Goto Start > Run > cmd
2) Run ipconfig /All
3) Look at the correct information under the device you tried to open the "status screen" for
(Picture Below)
-- End Alternate Way --

4) Whether you are looking at the cmd window, or the status window, write down the "DNS Servers"
(Note: The information in the following examples do not represent "your" data, they are plainly examples)

Status Window

CMD Window

5) Go back to the Network Connections screen
(Open Control Panel > Network Connections or
Control Panel > Network and Internet Connections > Network Connection)

6) Right-click on the network connection you just looked up and this time choose properties.

7) Select Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)

8) Click Properties
9) Choose "Use The Following DNS server addresses"
10) Click Advanced in the bottom right corner of the "Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) Properties" window
11) Goto the DNS tab,

12) In the Add window type in the following numbers... then click Add
a)208.67.222.222
b)208.67.220.220
c) (any "DNS Servers" you wrote down from step 4)
d) (any "DNS Servers" you wrote down from step 4)
e) etc.

13)After entering the DNS Servers, click Ok three times (until you get back to the Network Connections window)
14) Windows might run a reconfig, repair, etc.

---- Continue Below With Windows XP ----

--- Upgrading Your DNS Servers (Windows Vista) ---
1) Open Control Panel > Network and Internet > Network and Sharing Center
2) Under the "Network" Section, across from "Connection", press "View Status"

3) Click on Details...
(Picture Below)

4) Whether you are looking at the cmd window (yes, you can use the cmd config from above), or the status window, write down the boxed data (IP Address, Subnet Mask, Default Gateway, DNS Server(s))
(Note: The information in the following examples do not represent "your" data, they are plainly examples)

Status Window

5) Go back to the Connection Status Window and click "Properties"

6) Press "Continue" on the "Windows needs your permission to continue." window

7) Select 'Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)'

8) Click Properties
9) Choose "Use The Following DNS server addresses"
10) Click Advanced in the bottom right corner of the "Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) Properties" window

11) Goto the DNS tab,

12) In the Add window type in the following numbers... then click Add
a)208.67.222.222
b)208.67.220.220
c) (any "DNS Servers" you wrote down from step 4)
d) (any "DNS Servers" you wrote down from step 4)
e) etc.

13)After entering the DNS Servers, click Ok three times (until you get back to the Network Connections window)
14) Wait while Windows reconfigures your connection...

---- Continue Point For XP and Vista ----

15) Once Windows is done, open up your internet browser (Internet Explorer, Firefox, Opera, Netscape, AOL, Safari) and navigate to http://www.opendns.com/
a) If you see, under the top orange bar,

"You're using OpenDNS. Thanks! You are now navigating the Internet safer, faster, smarter and more reliably than ever before."

then you are all set!
b) if you do not (try a restart), then continue...

16) Make sure you entered your information correctly. If you think you have, then try right-clicking on your "connection" in the Network Connections window and choose repair.
17) Are all of the other websites working (google, yahoo, etc.)?
If so, then it might be because your router's DNS Servers are not set to OpenDNS, look at your router's instructions for help with that.
18) Make sure on the "Status" screen or the cmd window, that it shows
208.67.222.222
208.67.220.220
under your DNS Servers.

Hope That Helps!
-James Hartig

Cannot See Your USB Device?

Did you plug in a USB device (storage) such as a flash drive, memory card, mp3 player, phone, etc and you don't see its "drive" in My Computer?

This may be a problem with your drive mappings or a driver problem.

I will explain the drive mappings ( drive letter) and will explain how to see the driver error.

(Remember, clicking on an image, will open a new window/tab hopefully increasing the size and ability to understand it better!)
--- Assigning A Drive Letter ---
1) Plug In Your Device! and make sure, if its the first time, that you see something like

2) Check In My Computer for the device, if not found...
3) Goto Start > Run > diskmgmt.msc
4) Select a disk without a drive letter already assigned, and one that is "REMOVABLE"!



4) Choose "Change Drive Letter and Paths..."
5) Click Add
6) Choose a drive letter (not A: or B: (floppy drives) or C: through E: (cd/dvd drives & hard drives), the default drive should be sufficient.

7) Click Ok Twice
8) Your diskmgmt.msc window should now look like the following...

Note: If you received a type of error, please email me @

9) Now in My Computer there should be your drive

--- If Your Device Is Not Listed ---

1) Make sure it is plugged in...
2) Open Start > Run > devmgmt.msc
3) Check for any "errors" and attempt to fix them
4) If you are having trouble, feel free to once again, email me @

5) Try reinstalling the "drivers" supplied with your device (optional)


Thanks For Reading! Hope It Helps!
-James Hartig

Windows Driver Uninstall: "Failed to uninstall the device. The device may be required to boot up the computer."

Solution for receiving the following error message:

"Failed to uninstall the device. The device may be required to boot up the computer."
When trying to uninstall devices...

(Click on certain images, if they are hard to read.)
---- Solution 1 ----
(Will Remove Driver For Good!)
(More Advanced, if you are not sure, please comment!, screwing up the registry is sometimes irreversible)
Open device manager (either from control panel or type 'devmgmt.msc' in Run...)
Right click on the device that you are tying to uninstall
Choose 'Properties'
Goto 'Details' Tab

Make Note of the Boxed Region In the Following Image (the "code")
(Format, if no image, ???\??????????\?????????)
(Note: the whole phrase will need to be noted, you can just leave this window in the background)

Open Regedit (Start -> Run -> regedit)
Goto "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Enum"

Now the noted "Code" comes into use...
Within Enum, goto the "folder" that first appears in the "code"
For the above example I would expand/goto the folder HID
Then from within that folder expand/choose the next part (after first '\') of the "code"
Then, if applicable, choose the sub-folder (following the 2nd '\') of the "code"

For the example above (HID\VID_413C&PID_2003\6&348914A4&0&000), I would choose

Right click on the "folder" and choose delete.
(Note: If there is only one sub-folder, go one folder up! (VID_413C&PID_2003)
If you get a security access error, please continue, if not then congrats, your driver is successfully deleted.

-- Security Access Fix --

Right click on the "folder" that you tried to delete
Select "Permissions..."
Choose 'Everyone'
Check "Full Control" under "Allow"



Click "Apply"
Now try to delete the "folder" again and should successfully delete!

If you are having trouble with any of the above steps, please comment!
If this successfully fixed you problem, feel free to comment also!


---- Solution 2 ----
(Quick and Dirty, Not Recommended!)
Open device manager (either from control panel or type 'devmgmt.msc' in Run...)
Right click on the device that you are tying to uninstall
Choose 'Update Driver'

Then choose:
Install From Specific Location

Click Next
Choose "Don't Search, I will choose the driver to install."
Click Next
Choose a Random Driver from the category of your current device.
(NOT RECOMMENDED!!)


The second solution, was mainly for advanced users, with an alternate idea of how to do it, it was not intended to be a step-by-step instruction.

Thanks For Reading! Hope It Helps!
-James Hartig