device manager empty

[joan]

running windows vista suddenly device manager is empty no that good so must be something i`v done help please.

[jmarket]

Hi joan and welcome to PCHF

Can you tell me what was the last thing you did before this all happened? Did you install a new piece of software or new hardware?

[joan]

Hi jmarket, thanks for your reply yes, I did try to install softwear for for a printer and totaly failed ur to that point Ihad no problem

[jmarket]

Hi,

Thanks for the reply Have you tried uninstalling the printer driver/software, rebooting, and seeing if that clears the issue? Sometimes a faulty driver or bad piece of software can render the device manager inoperable.

[joan]

Hi,

Thanks for the reply Have you tried uninstalling the printer driver/software, rebooting, and seeing if that clears the issue? Sometimes a faulty driver or bad piece of software can render the device manager inoperable.

Hi, I have uninstalled all the printer softwear but still the same, the only thing I did at about the same time was I downloaded Viper antivirus production

[jmarket]

Hi, I have uninstalled all the printer softwear but still the same, the only thing I did at about the same time was I downloaded Viper antivirus production

Not a problem! At least we narrowed down that it’s not the printer that caused it (y)

What I need you to do is to try the following:

1.) Go to Start → Run → Type “gpedit.msc” (without the qutoes) and press Enter
2.) Click on Administrative Templates → Control Panel → Double click on Prohibit Access to Control Panel
3.) Select “Disable” and click OK.
4.) Reboot your system and check and see if the Control Panel is accessible.

I look forward to hearing your results.

[joan]

Not a problem! At least we narrowed down that it’s not the printer that caused it (y)

What I need you to do is to try the following:

1.) Go to Start → Run → Type “gpedit.msc” (without the qutoes) and press Enter
2.) Click on Administrative Templates → Control Panel → Double click on Prohibit Access to Control Panel
3.) Select “Disable” and click OK.
4.) Reboot your system and check and see if the Control Panel is accessible.

I look forward to hearing your results.

Hi, I don`t have a run opption so I typed run into search then typed in gpedit.msc the opptions are “ok” or “browse” if i click ok it says windows cannot find or " browse"which brings up a list of folders but nothing i can make into anything sorry about this.

[jmarket]

Hi, I don`t have a run opption so I typed run into search then typed in gpedit.msc the opptions are “ok” or “browse” if i click ok it says windows cannot find or " browse"which brings up a list of folders but nothing i can make into anything sorry about this.

Not a problem! I think I may have a solution, but I’d like you to try something first. Note that because this is unique to everyone, we have to try to figure out what exactly is causing it, which means experimenting

If you go to Folder Options in Control Panel and select a different view, does anything appear? Like if you try selecting “Classic View”, and click Apply and OK, does the Control Panel icons appear? Sometimes the Index system can be super slow, and it will cause folders and even the Control Panel to not display.

If that doesn’t work, try running System File Checker by typing:
[ICODE]run[/ICODE]
in the search box. When the Run dialog appears, type:
[ICODE]explorer[/ICODE]
into it and click OK. A new explorer window should appear. When it does, navigate to C:\Windows\System32. Scroll down until you see “cmd.exe”. Right-click it and choose Run as Administrator.

When the command prompt appears, type:
[ICODE]sfc /scannow[/ICODE]
and let it scan your system completely. After it finishes, reboot and see if it’s back. Depending on how many files you have, it could take a while, so let it finish and then reply back with the results

[joan]

Not a problem! I think I may have a solution, but I’d like you to try something first. Note that because this is unique to everyone, we have to try to figure out what exactly is causing it, which means experimenting

If you go to Folder Options in Control Panel and select a different view, does anything appear? Like if you try selecting “Classic View”, and click Apply and OK, does the Control Panel icons appear? Sometimes the Index system can be super slow, and it will cause folders and even the Control Panel to not display.

If that doesn’t work, try running System File Checker by typing:
[ICODE]run[/ICODE]
in the search box. When the Run dialog appears, type:
[ICODE]explorer[/ICODE]
into it and click OK. A new explorer window should appear. When it does, navigate to C:\Windows\System32. Scroll down until you see “cmd.exe”. Right-click it and choose Run as Administrator.

When the command prompt appears, type:
[ICODE]sfc /scannow[/ICODE]
and let it scan your system completely. After it finishes, reboot and see if it’s back. Depending on how many files you have, it could take a while, so let it finish and then reply back with the results

Hi I get as far as clicking run as admin. then a black box appears but no command prompt there is a flashing mark were i have typed in sf… but nothing happens sorry about this i`m affraid Im not very techie.

[jmarket]

That’s ok Would you be open to the idea of having me try to remotely fix it for you? That would be the easiest and fastest way for us to diagnose it (y)

Basically what would happen is that you would install a piece of software to your computer, I would connect to your computer, and fix it remotely

It sounds like there may be more underlying issues, so let’s see if we can get it fixed (y) If you like the idea, you can send me a PM by going HERE and clicking “Start a New Conversation”.

[jmarket]

@joan Did you resolve the issue? Last I heard you were going to install Windows 7.

[joan]

Hi jmarket, I didn[ICODE]t manage the windows 7 download so decided it[/ICODE]s got to be easier to invest in new computer, seeing as my old one was 10 yrs old, so at this moment I[ICODE]m sat getting to grips with windows 8.1. I was going to let you know how I was getting on with it but you beat me to it, but I think I shall be OK..... Thanks very much for your help and all the time you put into helping me and if I have any more problems you will be my first port of call. I[/ICODE]v passed on you`r website details to my friends so if they have need of help they know where to go.Once again thanks so very much. Joan

[jmarket]

Hi joan,

You’re most certainly welcome We are here 24/7/365, so if you ever have any other issues, just let us know and we’ll be more than happy to assist you