Windows doesn't install new hardware

When installing new hardware or drivers on your Windows XP computer you receive the following error :  "An error occurred during the installation of the device".

Solution 1:

Verify the default device path:

1. Open Run... command (alternatively Windows + R)
2. Type regedit.
3. Browse to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion.
4. Look for the key named "DevicePath" and verify that its value is correctly set to "%SystemRoot%\inf".
5. If it isn't double-click on it and delete everything under value, write "%SystemRoot%\inf" (without the quotes). Press OK.
6. Reboot for changes to take effect.


Solution 2:

You will need your original Windows XP CD for this solution.

1. Restart your computer in safe mode (F8 when booting).
2. Use the device manager (click Start, right-click My Computer, click Manage, and then click Device Manager) to uninstall any devices that gave you an error.
2. Open up explorer and browse to the "C:\Windows\Driver cache\i386" folder.
3. There, rename the file driver.cab to driver.old.
4. Now insert your Windows XP CD and open up the i386 folder on it.
5. Locate the file named driver.cab and copy/paste or drag it to "C:\Windows\Driver cache\i386".
6. Reboot your computer.

That's it.