XP finds device every reboot

[tja]

I've seen some old posts but didn't see any answers. I'm using XP, SP3. Device Manager says new hardware found every time I restart. This whole mess started with me installing a wireless adapter & router - from there it's been downhill. AFter that, when I turned my Epson printer on, it would totally disable the adapter - only way to get wireless internet back was to uninstall & reinstall the adapter & router. Then, I plugged the Epson printer into a different USB port. That stopped interfering with the wireless adapter, but then it wouldn't print right (stopping, starting, stopping, starting a print job). I eventually uninstalled the printer software. Since then, when I reinstall it (have a disc), it tells me to plug the printer in to the computer - I do, but eventually, the installation disc tells me that no printer is detected (it will install the scanner software, but it won't install the printer driver). I've tried getting a new cable for the printer - that didn't work. I've tried varying the USB ports I connect to - no dice. And, I purchased a portable hard drive to back-up (thinking things are beginning to deterioate & I better back up my 'stuff'). That device (WD Essential) has no software. When I plug it into a USB port, it powers up, Device Manager recognizes a new device, but then nothing - I can't "open" and no interface ever pops up, so it's unusable.

I have contacted Epson, WD, Dell (I have a Dimensions 3000), and of course searched Microsoft's site. I've also run the original OS disc to see if something needed repaired. Nothing works. And now, on every re-start, I get the "new hardware detected" (an audio modem) - when I find the "device", I choose "uninstall" and it disappears from Device Manager. But, it still keeps popping up on restart.

Anyone have any suggestions/answers?

 

[ksiemb]

Anyone have any suggestions/answers?


It would seem to me, since bios detects the hardware, and "things" begin there, that you might look for a bios upgrade for your system. Appears that you have pretty much covered all the other bases.

 

[tja]

Anyone have any suggestions/answers?


It would seem to me, since bios detects the hardware, and "things" begin there, that you might look for a bios upgrade for your system. Appears that you have pretty much covered all the other bases.

Thanks for the suggestion - I think I already did that, but I'll check again. Heck, in addition to all of the above, I've done a 32 bit diagnostic and posted it in the Dell community forum, I've tried to install things in safe mode, I searched for updated drivers at Microsoft and from the companies for the products I've mentioned . . . grrrrrr, it's maddening! It all started with installing the wireless adapter and router - maybe the answer is - don't change anything once your computer enters middle age (it's 6-7 years old)!