KnowledgeBase Archive

An Archive of Early Microsoft KnowledgeBase Articles

View on GitHub

Q139206: Hardware List Not Updated After Installing New .inf File

Article: Q139206
Product(s): Microsoft Windows 95.x Retail Product
Version(s): 95
Operating System(s): 
Keyword(s): kbenv kbhw win95 kbHardware
Last Modified: 24-JUL-2001

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The information in this article applies to:

- Microsoft Windows 95 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SYMPTOMS
========

If you try to install a new Setup information (.inf) file by placing the file in
the Windows\Inf folder, the new device may not appear in the hardware list for
that type of device, and may not be properly detected by Windows 95. If you
replace an existing .inf file with a newer version, the device appears in the
hardware list and is properly detected, but Windows 95 may not use the
information in the newer file when you install the device.

CAUSE
=====

This problem occurs because Windows 95 did not rebuild the driver information
database after you placed the new or updated .inf file in the Windows\Inf
folder.


RESOLUTION
==========

To resolve this problem, follow these steps:

1. Place the new or updated .inf file in the Windows\Inf folder.

2. If you are installing a new .inf file for a device that is not currently
  installed, skip to step 3. If you are replacing an existing .inf file with a
  newer version, follow these steps:

  a. In Control Panel, double-click the System icon.

  b. On the Device Manager tab, double-click the hardware branch for the type
     of device you are updating.

  c. Click the device you are updating, and then click Remove.

  d. Click OK.

3. At a command prompt, type the following lines. Press ENTER after each line:

  " cd \windows\inf
  ren drvdata.bin drvdata.xxx
  ren drvidx.bin drvidx.xxx " (without the quotation marks)

4. Install the device using the Add New Hardware tool in Control Panel or using
  the tool appropriate to the device type (such as the Add Printer tool or the
  Install New Modem Wizard.

STATUS
======

Microsoft is researching this problem and will post new information here in the
Microsoft Knowledge Base as it becomes available.

MORE INFORMATION
================

For additional information about the hardware lists and driver information
database, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

  Q137377 Removing Windows 3.1 Drivers from Wizard Hardware Lists

Additional query words: rebuilding

======================================================================
Keywords          : kbenv kbhw win95 kbHardware 
Technology        : kbWin95search kbWin95
Version           : 95
Issue type        : kbprb

=============================================================================

THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY.