Windows XP - Empty Device Manager

[Jacobus]

Recently, I noticed that whenever I try to access My Computer, it takes about 15-20 seconds to load while it says it 'searching for items...'. The reason to it, I've noticed, is the 'Removable Drive' that for some reason appeared there (I didn't add any drives). So, I go to my Device Manager and what do I see? It's completely empty! Not one item is shown in there.

I searched Microsoft's site for help and only found out that a similar thing happens when the Plug & Play is disabled in services.msc. So I disabled and enabled and disabled and enabled it, to no avail.

Now I'm stuck with some 'Removable Drive' in My Computer and without a Device Manager.

Can someone help me?

[BipolarBill]

There are no devices at all in Device Manager? That's a much larger issue than an added removable drive.

There is no easy way to fix this. The first thing to try would have been System Restore. It's probably too late for that now.

Download this and scan for viruses:

http://www.avup.de/personal/en/avwinsfx.exe

If that fails to turn up anything, try repairing XP:

http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm

[Baddog]

Do a Google search for: "Device Manager empty" , there were some good sites on this problem.:t

[BipolarBill]

Hmm - check here:

http://www.webservertalk.com/message289039.html

Note "Jetro"s response. You have to right-click the Services key, select Permissions and select Allow. Then run the command.

As far as the new drive goes, have you installed burner or game emulation software?

[Jacobus]

I tried that solution as well and I tried but that wasn't the problem.