HOW TO: Manage Devices in Windows

Unlike Microsoft Windows NT 4.0, Windows 2000 does not include a Devices tool in Control Panel to start and stop devices. Instead, you can view and manage all hardware and software device drivers using the Computer Management console, or you can administer hardware devices and their drivers using the Device Manager console.

Using the Computer Manager or Device Manager Console

1. Right-click My Computer, and then click Manage.
2. Double-click System Tools.
3. Click Device Manager to:
   • Troubleshoot devices.
   • Disable or uninstall devices.
   • View driver details or update drivers.
   • View or change resources assigned to devices.
4. You can also double-click System Information, double-click Software Environment, and then double-click Drivers. This displays the name, description, type, state, and status for each driver. You cannot administer drivers from this view.Note: If you want to disable a non-hardware-specific driver, click Show Hidden Devices on the View menu in Device Manager. You can find and disable under "Non-Plug and Play Drivers" some of the same items that appear in the Devices tool in Control Panel in Windows NT 4.0. If the device is not listed you must use Registry Editor (Regedt32) to disable the device. For additional information about this method, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
   165748  (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/165748/EN-US/ ) How to Disable a Service or Device That Prevents NT from Booting