add remove hardware

[dean]

hi,
my add or remove hardware database box freezes when
trying ti install any plug play item,also add remove
software the same? please help,layman here.

[Noel Paton]

Have you been running with the Quack?
Are you running Norton System Quack - - errr - Doctor?
If so, then read on......

You may have up to 32,000 empty OEM*.INF files sitting in your
c:\Windows\INF folder, which prevents any program putting a legitimate *.INF
file in there (it also slow your system down to stop, trying to read them
and sort the [non-existent] contents!).
You need to DELETE all 0byte (and ONLY the 0byte) OEM*.INF files.
look here for information on how to do that , and how to prevent it
happening again (i.e. TURN OFF NORTON SYSTEM DOCTOR - unless you are
actively troubleshooting something)

The Symantec site:
http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/nunt.nsf/docid/2000120915010309&src=n

also
"Computer Stops Responding (Hangs) During Setup, Installing Updates, or
Adding New Hardware"
(http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q281967)
also
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q301540
(which contains the fix for your problem in the NOTE under the patch
description)
Phone your Local MS office, and tell them your problem quoting Q301540 -
they'll either send you the patch, or give you a one-use password, for the
cost of the call.

Good Luck


--
Noel Paton (MS-MVP 2002-2004, Win9x)

Nil Carborundum Illegitemi
http://www.btinternet.com/~winnoel/millsrpch.htm

Please read http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm on how to post messages to NG's
or
http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/features/2001/Mar01/Mar27pmvp.asp

"dean" > wrote in message
...
> hi,
> my add or remove hardware database box freezes when
> trying ti install any plug play item,also add remove
> software the same? please help,layman here.