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I have a Dell Dimension 2400. Ever since I upgraded to XP Service Pack 2 I've been unable to use Plug n Play or install drivers from the CD's supplied with equipment. This has happened with Apple i-pod, Sony DSC-H1 camera and an optical mouse.

My USB connections work ok. I have a Lexmark all in one printer which works fine but this was originally connected when I was running Service Pack 1.

When I plug in equipment I get the Found New Hardware Wizard. It asks for CD and whether I want to install the software automatically or from a specific location. Which ever method I choose the wizard can't find the necessary software.

Device Manager shows a yellow question mark at the side of the entry for the piece of equipment eg Sony DSC. When I check the properties of the Sony DSC it shows 'The drivers for this device are not installed (code 28). It suggests reinstalling the drivers but this just brings me back to a request to load the installation CD.

Is there anything I can do to fix this without going back to Service Pack 1 and if I do have to go back to SP1, is it a big job and what should I watch out for ? Hope someone can help. Many thanks for reading my problem.

Hi woollinlad, Welcome to PCHF.

When you CD for the Sony DSC camera, does the installer not start? If not, you can normally start the setup program by going to My Computer, double click on your CD-ROM drive and then double click on setup, install or autorun.

Hi madmonkey,
Yes, the installer will start when cd is loaded and the s/w will download and prompts for system reload. When I switch camera on, system finds the new hardware and the wizard asks where to find s/w. I point it at the C:/Drivers/Sony USB as I can see the s/w there. System searches for it but doesn't find it.

Na, that will just be the software in that folder, rather than the drivers. You'll need to keep the CD in when you switch the camera on, and let the wizard search through the CD?

Tried that. Wizard can't find the drivers even though CD is loaded. The frustrating thing is that my Dell Latitude laptop running on XP Professional SP2 picked up the drivers as soon as I plugged in the camera. Didn't need the CD.

Does the Wizard appear as soon as you plug in the Camera, or do you need to start the Wizard itself? Also, can you give me the full make and model of the devices your having problems with?

When I turn on the camera, the Found New Hardware bubble appears in bottom right hand corner and the Wizard starts automatically. The camera is the SONY DSC H-1. Full spec here, Amazon.co.uk: Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H1 Digital Camera [5.1MP, 12 x Optical Zoom]: Electronics & Photo

I had a similar problem with my daughter's Apple i-pod and an optical mouse. She got fed up of the i-pod and I've had to go back to my good old fashioned roller ball mouse with a PS/2 connector.