Problems Adding New Hardware in Windows 95 (182723)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows 95
This article was previously published under Q182723

SYMPTOMS

When you try to install new hardware, you may experience the following behavior:

Windows 95 (Retail Release)

You may receive the following error message
Windows was unable to add this <device>.
where <device> is the type of hardware that you are trying to install.

Windows 95 OEM Service Release 2 (OSR2)

Windows detects the hardware, but lists it as an unknown device, and then requests the disk supplied by the hardware manufacturer.

CAUSE

This behavior can occur if the file or files in the Windows\Inf folder that contain the information about your hardware are missing or damaged.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this issue, extract new copies of the default Windows 95 .inf files. To do so, use the following steps:
  1. Click Start, click Shut Down, click Restart in MS-DOS Mode, and then click OK.
  2. If you installed Windows 95 from CD-ROM, verify that you have access to your CD-ROM drive in MS-DOS mode by typing the following line and then pressing ENTER

    <CD-ROM drive letter>:

    where <CD-ROM drive letter> is the drive letter assigned to your CD-ROM.

    NOTE: If you are unable to access your CD-ROM drive from MS-DOS mode, please refer to the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

    135174 Cannot Access CD-ROM Drive from MS-DOS Mode or Command Prompt

  3. At the command prompt, type the following commands, pressing ENTER after each command:

    c:
    cd windows\inf
    ren *.inf *.old

  4. Extract new copies of the default Windows 95 .inf files to the Windows\Inf folder. To do so, use the appropriate method:

    Windows 95 Installed from CD-ROM
    --------------------------------
    1. Insert your original Windows 95 CD-ROM in to your CD-ROM drive.
    2. At the command prompt, type the following commands, pressing ENTER after each command

      extract /a <CD-ROM drive>\win95\precopy1.cab *.inf
      extract /a <CD-ROM drive>\win95\win95_02.cab *.inf

      where <CD-ROM drive> is the drive letter assigned to your CD-ROM drive.
    Windows 95 Installed from Floppy Disks
    --------------------------------------
    1. Insert disk 1 of your original Windows disks in to your floppy disk drive.
    2. At the command prompt, type the following commands, pressing ENTER after each command

      extract /a <floppy Drive>\win95\precopy1.cab *.inf
      extract /a <floppy Drive>\win95\win95_02.cab *.inf

      where <floppy Drive> is the drive letter assigned to your floppy drive.
  5. Restart your computer normally.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:6/13/2001
Keywords:kberrmsg kbprb KB182723
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