After I replaced my 2.0 usb pci card, and re-booted the system my problem started. Each time I start my computer the add hardware wizard trys to install the old card. I've checked Device Manager, found the yellow question mark, and have disabled the Universal Serial Bus (usb) device, but still the problem persists. I've even deleted the problem device in the registery, but still the problem exists. To be honest, the only real hassel is having to put-up with the Add Hardware Wizard everytime I bootup. It's irritating---to put it mildly!! What can I do?

Morg

If I understand correctly, you replaced a USB PCI card with a newer card.
So, are you seeing two devices [new and old cards] in the device manager, when the wizard tries to install the old card?
If not, look under view in the device manager and click on show hidden devices.
This should show you both cards.
Check the drivers for both cards and you should be able to determine which one to delete.
If not, then delete both cards and reinstall the drivers for the new card when the wizard comes up, that should solve the problem.

I've done what you recommended-many times. After I delete the old card the wizard contines to re-install the old card. Device manager shows the old card at all times-hidden or not. There is one thing that I forgot to mention, and that is there are two "Universal Serial Bus Controllers" in My Devices. One has the old card, along with some other devices, and the other has the new card with other usb devices. I have the old devices disabled, but each time I re-boot Add Hardware does its thing again.

Morg

The USB Controller with the old card is the reason the computer keeps trying to reinstall it. You will have to eliminate both the card and its controller to get rid of it.
If you check closely, you should see that the devices under each controller are identical with the exception of the old and new cards.

I deleted the old USB Controller, along with the other usb devices under the old controller. I re-booted and Add Hardware wizard went to work again. Now there are 4 devices called Universal Serial Bus(usb)Controller under Universal Serial Bus controllers. I haven't tried to re-boot again, but I assume Add Hardware will try to reinstall them again. I keep in touch about what happens. Thanks

Morg

Yep, after rebooting the same thing happen.

What we may have here is a nomenclature problem.
There should be one (1) category listing on the device manager for USB Controllers.
Under that category, you should have one listing for each USB device you have connected which will show as USB Universal Host controller. You will probably also have one additional listing as USB2 Enhanced Host Controller.
For example, I have 4 USB devices connected so I have 4 Host controllers plus the additional USB2 Enhanced controller.

So if the old card is no longer showing up and the situation described above is what you have, once the host controllers are installed, you should be rid of the add hardware wizard until you install something else new.

I had a feeling that I wasn't explaining my device problem correctly-Sorry! I do understand what you have been explaining to me. My problem is that I have already done the things you ask-many times. I wish that I could send a gif attachment so you could actually see what I see. I have the software to do this, but I'm not sure it is allowed.

Like I said before, I have two category listings for Universal Serial Bus controllers. I can temporarily delete the old one after I get rid of all the devices under it. When I re-boot Add Hardware Wizard trys to re-install all the devices but fails. After the Add Hardware Wizard does its thing, and I go back to Device Manager, the old category is back, along with the other devices (all of which have a yellow question mark).

The second category "Universal Serial Bus controllers" is unaffected and works just fine. By the way, I notice in your last response that you stated the category would be named USB Controllers. Mine is named "Universal Serial Bus controllers" with sub-categories listed under.

I really do appreciate the time and effort you have given me. Thanks

Morg

I just tried to use my printer--GUESS WHAT-----it now longer is recognized.
When I uninstalled the extra Universal Serial Bus (USB) controller catagory, I lost my my printer. I tried to reinstall it, but the Wizard says no-go.
I was hoping that after deleting all of the old usb sub-catagories under the above  Universal Serial Bus (USB) controller that I could install the printer under the newer  Universal Serial Bus (USB) controller Alas, the old  Universal Serial Bus (USB) controller reappeared with a sub-catagory and a yellow question mark.

I doubt that you will ever be able to actually remove the original USB host controllers unless you unsolder them from the motherboard.  Therefore, you now have to reinstall the drivers that were originally installed so that the old mobo USB ports can once again "see" your USB printer, etc. that may be plugged in to those ports on either the back, or front of your computer.

If you had at one time added a USB 2.0 PCI card that was subsequently removed and replaced, then the process might not have been done in the sequence necessary to avoid the problems you now face.

Replacing those USB cards should require MULTIPLE reboots and the whole procedure should work. Read through all before beginning:

First use device manager to remove ALL references to USB host controllers, then shut down the computer, and using safe handling procedures, remove any USB cards you can.

Now restart the computer. The add new hardware wizard will detect the original soldered-on USB controller chips/ports and attempt to reinstall those drivers. You may be prompted to provide a CD with the appropriate drivers from the mobo manufacturer, so be prepared. Once those original mobo USB ports are back up and capable of sensing attachment of devices such as your printer, shut the computer down completely.

WITHOUT ADDING ANY NEW CARDS OR OTHER HARDWARE, restart the computer to verify that the Add New Hardware Wizard DOES NOT INITIATE. If the computer starts up without going through the Wizard, then it is NOW time to install the new PCI card. Shut the computer off again.

NOW insert the new USB 2.0 PCI card into an available slot (again using all safety procedures) and then restart the computer. Now the add new hardware wizard will be prompting for the new drivers required for the PCI card to function. At this point be prepared to provide either the floppy/CD that came with the card or the correct drivers available from the manufacturer's web site.

http://forums.viaarena.com/categories.aspx?catid=16&STARTPAGE=2&FTVAR_FORUMVIEWTMP=Linear

Copy and paste the above link into your browser's address bar for more troubleshooting information if your PCI card happens to be populated with VIA 6212 controller chipset.

Good luck!

One thing I failed to mention during the preceding process... DISCONNECT all USB devices and leave them detached until it is time to see if the reinstalled drivers can identify them upon connection otherwise if something remains attached during the first restart, Plug and Play will detect new hardware and start the wizard for both the USB host controllers and then the printer or any other USB device still attached.

A basic rule for all USB devices is that their drivers should be installed BEFORE they are plugged physically into the USB ports unless specifically instructed to allow Windows to identify the item.