Windows 2000 Administration in a Nutshell

Name

Add/Remove Hardware

Synopsis

Adds or removes hardware devices.

To Launch

• Start → Settings → Control Panel → Add/Remove Hardware

• Command interpreter → control hdwwiz.cpl

• Right-click on My Computer → Properties → Hardware → Hardware Wizard

Description

Add/Remove Hardware opens a wizard that walks you through the process of installing new hardware devices or removing existing ones. Most of the time, this is not necessary with Windows 2000 as Plug and Play devices are usually detected and installed automatically without the need to reboot the system. Should the system require a reboot, Found New Hardware starts and completes the installation.

Add/Remove Hardware is typically used for installing legacy (non-Plug and Play) devices, in which case you skip the Plug and Play option and manually specify the type and model of the device from a list displayed by the wizard.

You can also run Add/Remove Hardware to unplug or eject a device such as a removable drive. If you need to do this frequently with a device, there is an option in the wizard to place an icon in the system tray, which can be used for this purpose.

Notes

• You may need to be logged on as an Administrator to install a Plug and Play device if user interaction is required during the installation process. You must be logged on as an Administrator to use Add/Remove Hardware to install a legacy (non-Plug and Play) device.

• You may be asked to supply the disk or CD-ROM containing the device drivers for the device if Windows 2000 does not ...