Problem editing Registry

  • Thread starter Thread starter Bob Lucas
  • Start date Start date
B

Bob Lucas

Win XP Professional (SP3) - using administrator account

Running:

Avast antivirus

ZoneAlarm free Firewall

Spy Bot Search & Destroy (without Tea-timer add-on).



Last year, I installed a PCMCIA card reader. My first attempt to
install the hardware failed and produced an error message that the
device "might not work properly".



Fortunately, a subsequent installation succeeded. However, the initial
failure left the following residual entries in the Registry:



HKLM\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Enum\PCMCIA\MTD-0002\1 and at

HKLM\SYSTEM\ControlSet003\Enum\PCMCIA\MTD-0002\1

(Default) REG_SZ (value not set)

Capabilities REG_DWORD 0x00000014 (20)

CompatibleIDs REG_MULTISZ

ConfligFlags REG_DWORD 0x00000040 (64)

DeviceDesc REG_SZ PCMCIA MTD-0002

HardwareID REG_MULTI_SZ PCMCIA\MTD-0002 PCMCIA\MTD-0002



Device Manager does not show an MTD-0002 device, so I cannot uninstall
or delete all references to this hardware via Device Manger. I
attempted to remove these entries from the Registry and received an
error message; "Error Deleting Key, Cannot Delete 1; Error while
deleting key."



The Registry also includes references to the another non-existent
device.



HKLM\SYSTEM\Controlset001\Enum\USB\Vid_0000&Pid_0001\[Long List of
numbers] and

HKLM\SYSTEM\Controlset003\Enum\USB\Vid_0000&Pid_0001\[Long List of
numbers]

CompatibleIds REG_MULTI_SZ USB\UNKNOWN

LocationInformation USB Device



My attempt to delete these entries produced the same error message.



Is there any way to remove references to non-existent hardware items
from my computer?
 
Bob said:
Win XP Professional (SP3) - using administrator account

Running:

Avast antivirus

ZoneAlarm free Firewall

Spy Bot Search & Destroy (without Tea-timer add-on).



Last year, I installed a PCMCIA card reader. My first attempt to
install the hardware failed and produced an error message that the
device "might not work properly".



Fortunately, a subsequent installation succeeded. However, the initial
failure left the following residual entries in the Registry:



HKLM\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Enum\PCMCIA\MTD-0002\1 and at

HKLM\SYSTEM\ControlSet003\Enum\PCMCIA\MTD-0002\1

(Default) REG_SZ (value not set)

Capabilities REG_DWORD 0x00000014 (20)

CompatibleIDs REG_MULTISZ

ConfligFlags REG_DWORD 0x00000040 (64)

DeviceDesc REG_SZ PCMCIA MTD-0002

HardwareID REG_MULTI_SZ PCMCIA\MTD-0002 PCMCIA\MTD-0002



Device Manager does not show an MTD-0002 device, so I cannot uninstall
or delete all references to this hardware via Device Manger. I
attempted to remove these entries from the Registry and received an
error message; "Error Deleting Key, Cannot Delete 1; Error while
deleting key."



The Registry also includes references to the another non-existent device.



HKLM\SYSTEM\Controlset001\Enum\USB\Vid_0000&Pid_0001\[Long List of
numbers] and

HKLM\SYSTEM\Controlset003\Enum\USB\Vid_0000&Pid_0001\[Long List of numbers]

CompatibleIds REG_MULTI_SZ USB\UNKNOWN

LocationInformation USB Device



My attempt to delete these entries produced the same error message.



Is there any way to remove references to non-existent hardware items
from my computer?
Click to expand...

First verify that it isn't a phantom device. Look for it's ghost in the
device manager:

Device Manager does not display devices that are not connected to the
Windows XP-based computer
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315539

This little batch file will automatically set the Device Manager to show
phantom devices and open it for you:

----------------------------------------------------
set devmgr_show_nonpresent_devices-1
start devmgmt.msc

----------------------------------------------------

Are those keys causing you problems? You cannot delete the keys because
you do not have permission to do so, grant yourself the necessary
permissions and you will be able to remove the keys. Before you do that
keep in mind that there is a good reason why only the System account has
permission to delete keys in the in the \Enum branch!

Are you familiar with the creation and use of Control Sets and have you
verified the use the sets in the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\Select key?

Before you change the permissions and delete keys please read the following:

Enum
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/windows2000serv/reskit/regentry/30004.mspx?mfr=true

System and Startup Settings
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb742541.aspx

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\Select
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/windows2000serv/reskit/regentry/34102.mspx?mfr=true

John
 
John John (MVP) said:
Bob said:
Win XP Professional (SP3) - using administrator account

Running:

Avast antivirus

ZoneAlarm free Firewall

Spy Bot Search & Destroy (without Tea-timer add-on).



Last year, I installed a PCMCIA card reader. My first attempt to
install the hardware failed and produced an error message that the
device "might not work properly".



Fortunately, a subsequent installation succeeded. However, the
initial failure left the following residual entries in the Registry:



HKLM\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Enum\PCMCIA\MTD-0002\1 and at

HKLM\SYSTEM\ControlSet003\Enum\PCMCIA\MTD-0002\1

(Default) REG_SZ (value not set)

Capabilities REG_DWORD 0x00000014 (20)

CompatibleIDs REG_MULTISZ

ConfligFlags REG_DWORD 0x00000040 (64)

DeviceDesc REG_SZ PCMCIA MTD-0002

HardwareID REG_MULTI_SZ PCMCIA\MTD-0002 PCMCIA\MTD-0002



Device Manager does not show an MTD-0002 device, so I cannot
uninstall or delete all references to this hardware via Device
Manger. I attempted to remove these entries from the Registry and
received an error message; "Error Deleting Key, Cannot Delete 1;
Error while deleting key."



The Registry also includes references to the another non-existent
device.



HKLM\SYSTEM\Controlset001\Enum\USB\Vid_0000&Pid_0001\[Long List of
numbers] and

HKLM\SYSTEM\Controlset003\Enum\USB\Vid_0000&Pid_0001\[Long List of
numbers]

CompatibleIds REG_MULTI_SZ USB\UNKNOWN

LocationInformation USB Device



My attempt to delete these entries produced the same error message.



Is there any way to remove references to non-existent hardware items
from my computer?
Click to expand...

First verify that it isn't a phantom device. Look for it's ghost in
the device manager:

Device Manager does not display devices that are not connected to the
Windows XP-based computer
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315539

This little batch file will automatically set the Device Manager to
show phantom devices and open it for you:

----------------------------------------------------
set devmgr_show_nonpresent_devices-1
start devmgmt.msc

----------------------------------------------------

Are those keys causing you problems? You cannot delete the keys
because you do not have permission to do so, grant yourself the
necessary permissions and you will be able to remove the keys. Before
you do that keep in mind that there is a good reason why only the
System account has permission to delete keys in the in the \Enum
branch!

Are you familiar with the creation and use of Control Sets and have
you verified the use the sets in the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\Select
key?

Before you change the permissions and delete keys please read the
following:

Enum
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/windows2000serv/reskit/regentry/30004.mspx?mfr=true

System and Startup Settings
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb742541.aspx

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\Select
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/windows2000serv/reskit/regentry/34102.mspx?mfr=true

John
Click to expand...



Thank you so much.

I ran "set devmgr_show_nonpresent_devices=1" from a Command Prompt.
Then, I opened Device Manager and selected "show hidden devices".

The list of devices included the problem items, both of which were
highlighted with a yellow exclamation mark. I merely selected and right
clicked on each item. Then, I selected the "uninstall" option, which
resolved the problem. I did not need to change any permissions.

Your advice has also provided an opportunity for me to uninstall
obsolete entries for various devices, which I will never use again.
 
Bob - The keys are the basis of information for the "Last Known Good
Configuration" additional startup menu (F8).

Usually after successive boots without system changes non-applicable
information is deleted or replaced.

The keys cannot be deleted, however values can be deleted or altereed.


option
 
Bob said:
Thank you so much.

I ran "set devmgr_show_nonpresent_devices=1" from a Command Prompt.
Then, I opened Device Manager and selected "show hidden devices".

The list of devices included the problem items, both of which were
highlighted with a yellow exclamation mark. I merely selected and right
clicked on each item. Then, I selected the "uninstall" option, which
resolved the problem. I did not need to change any permissions.

Your advice has also provided an opportunity for me to uninstall
obsolete entries for various devices, which I will never use again.
Click to expand...

You're welcome.

John
 
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