KnowledgeBase Archive

An Archive of Early Microsoft KnowledgeBase Articles

View on GitHub

Q156344: Plug and Play Devices Not Detected or Installed

Article: Q156344
Product(s): Microsoft Windows NT
Version(s): 4.0
Operating System(s): 
Keyword(s): kbenv kbhw kbsetup kbHardwarekbfaq
Last Modified: 08-AUG-2001

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

- Microsoft Windows NT Server version 4.0 
- Microsoft Windows NT Workstation version 4.0 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------


SYMPTOMS
========

When you install Windows NT 4.0, Plug and Play devices in your computer are not
detected and installed.

CAUSE
=====

Windows NT 4.0 does not support Plug and Play.

RESOLUTION
==========

The driver library on the Windows NT 4.0 CD-ROM includes the PnP ISA Enabler
driver, which may allow the detection and installation of Plug and Play devices
in Windows NT 4.0. Install the PnP ISA Enabler driver (PNPISA) using the
following steps:

NOTE: Although Windows NT includes PNPISA to detect Plug and Play devices, Plug
and Play devices are not supported in Windows NT 4.0. PNPISA is provided as a
"use at your own risk" tool.

1. Locate the Pnpisa.inf file in the Drvlib\Pnpisa\<processor-type> folder
  on the Windows NT 4.0 CD-ROM.

2. Right-click the Pnpisa.inf file, and then click Install on the menu that
  appears.

3. Restart your computer.

After you restart your computer, you may receive a message that Windows NT has
detected your Plug and Play device(s).

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

Note that PNPISA is not enabled by default.

For more information on installing and potential problems review the following
file on the Windows NT 4.0 CD-ROM:

  <CD-ROM drive>:\Drvlib\Audio\Sbpnp\Readme.txt


======================================================================
Keywords          : kbenv kbhw kbsetup kbHardware kbfaq
Technology        : kbWinNTsearch kbWinNTWsearch kbWinNTW400 kbWinNTW400search kbWinNT400search kbWinNTSsearch kbWinNTS400search kbWinNTS400
Version           : 4.0

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

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.