If any of your computer devices are not functioning properly, you may want to try removing and reinstalling the hardware. This process was a bit more reliable in previous versions of Windows, but can still resolve some problems for XP users. You may also uncover the real root of the problem by doing this. For example, if the device will not reinstall, you are probably facing a hardware issue.
Follow these steps to safely remove and reinstall your computer’s devices:
* Right click on “My Computer” and select “Properties.”
* Open the “Hardware” tab.
* Click the “Device Manager” button.
* A Window will open displaying a list of device categories. Find the category that applies to the device in question and click the plus sign next to it.
* Select the device from the expanded category list. You can either right click on it and select “Uninstall,” or highlight the icon and press the delete key
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* To add it again, click the button that features a computer screen with a magnifying glass. This will scan for new pieces of hardware and automatically reinstall the device you just removed.
If this process does not work, you may have a bad driver on your PC, or the hardware itself could be failing. Check online for the device’s latest driver, or contact the manufacturer’s support team for further assistance.
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