Device Manager Basics

What is the Device Manager?

The device manager is a tool that lets you view their hardware devices.

What is it used for?

The device manager has many different uses including: hardware troubleshooting, updating drivers, viewing hardware properties, finding device names and other information regarding your hardware.

How can I open the Device Manager?

1. Go to your desktop, right click My Computer, and left click Properties.
   
   
2. 
   
   • Then for Windows XP and 2000 Users, left click the Hardware tab and then left click the Device Manager button.
     
     
   • Then for Windows 9.x & ME users, left click the Device Manager tab.
     
     

Device Manager Errors

Device manager is used to help the user locate hardware problems. These are identified by an exclamation mark, a blue "i", a red X, or an "Other" device.

1. Exclamation Mark - When a device has a yellow explanation mark this is an indication that the device is not configured correctly.
2. Blue "i" - this indicates that a plug and play device cannot be configured without your intervention.
3. Red X - This is an indication that the device has been disabled by the user, removed or that Windows is unable to locate the device. It could also suggest that there are no resource conflicts, but that it isn't working.
4. Other Devices - Windows was unable to locate the drivers for the device and cannot determine the type of device being installed.

How can I see my hardware (default view)?

1. Open the Device Manager.
2. Open the View Menu, and select Devices by Type.
   
   
3. Expand whatever list you want.

How can I see the different IRQs?

1. Open the Device Manager.
2. Open the View Menu, and select Resources by Connection.
   
   
3. Expand the IRQ list.
   
   

How can I see the memory addresses?

1. Open the Device Manager.
2. Open the View Menu, and select Resources by Connection.
   
   
3. Expand the Memory list.