Greetings to all PC Help Forum Members


I have a recurring problem with my PC regarding connecting USB devices.

I am running WinXP SP3, AMD Athlon 3000+, 512MB of RAM.

Every time I try to connect a new USB device to the front of my PC I get the annoying

Windows Install Hardware Wizard

I usually click ok and the wizard searches for a driver, and then announces that;

Cannot Install This Hardware
The Hardware was not Installed Because the
Wizard Cannot Find the Necessary Software.


As you know WinXP does not require any drivers for USB devices, so what on earth is going on?

Incidently, I have no problem with my older USB devices being recognised by my PC,
(such as a USB Flash Drive.

Please could someone advise me regarding this problem.

Many thanks to you all and this wonderful website.

Kind regards

Rogmur

Hello Rogmur,

First of all, USB devices are in no way different than any other device you attach to a computer. You absolutely do need to install drivers for USB devices.

Windows does have a very massive built-in driver database, and an even larger driver database through their online search when you try to search for drivers automatically. However, it is not going to detect every USB device (or any other peripheral) all the time. That is the reason why every piece of hardware, save for USB flash drives comes with an install CD.

USB flash drives use very generic drivers so they can be recognized on any PC running XP/Vista so you don't have to carry around an install CD when you want to use it in multiple computers.

A lot of devices will install, but not have complete funcionality (like USB keyboards/mice) until you install the software that comes with it. You may not be able to use custom keys or buttons until you install the device software.

So basically, if you have a USB device you install and it gives you the message that it can not find the necessary software, that means you need to install the drivers. If you don't have the install CD, go to the manufacturers website to download the drivers/software.

Hope that helps!

Hi Wadd

Sorry I did not reply sooner.

Many thanks for your advice I shall try and track down the individual drivers
for each device.

Kind regards

Rogmur

You need to download the chipset for your make and model of PC/Laptop or the mainboard.

The chipset contains USB drivers.

Download the chipset and use device manager to install all of the USB items listed in there.