Knowledge Base

Removing Unknown Device in Device Manager Hangs Computer

Article ID: 161220

Article Last Modified on 9/30/2003

Microsoft Windows 95
Microsoft Windows 95

This article was previously published under Q161220

SYMPTOMS

Removing an unknown device from Device Manager may cause the computer to stop responding (hang).

CAUSE

The computer's BIOS does not respond correctly to the device removal, causing the computer to hang.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this issue, use either of the following methods:

Contact your computer manufacturer about a possible BIOS upgrade.
If your computer has a USB hub, contact your computer manufacturer to obtain the Windows 95 OEM Service Release version 2.1 update.

MORE INFORMATION

This behavior is not unique to any one device or BIOS. When you remove a device from Device Manager, a device removal notification is issued to the BIOS. The BIOS is then responsible for handling this message and acting accordingly (typically doing nothing). However, in certain systems, the BIOS is left in an unknown state and eventually hangs the computer.

For information about troubleshooting unknown devices, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

161102 Removing "Unknown Device" Network Adapter Hangs Computer

Additional query words: 95

Keywords: KB161220