Member Avatar for Thinka

Hello, wondering if i can get some advice on this problem. Basically when i connect anything through the USB port and try to install it through the Found New Hardware Wizard, at the end it'll tell me

"There was a problem installing this hardware
*Name of device*
An error occured during the installation of the device
The system cannot find the file specified"

And then the little balloon that comes up on the task bar says "A problem occured during hardware installation. Your new hardware may not work properly" or something like that. However with a memory stick, it still works fine and i can view files, save stuff on it, etc no problems. But when i tried to use a wireless transceiver, it just wouldn't work i.e. I can't see it in the My Computer window. This computer is literally just a month old, so was it just badly built? I try to install the hardware manually, but i get the same error.
Please help, it's a pretty good computer otherwise and this little nagging problem just makes it look bad.

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Dani AI

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Short, practical follow-up for anyone who finds this thread: the pattern you see here — the Found New Hardware Wizard finishing with "The system cannot find the file specified", while a USB flash drive works but a wireless transceiver does not — points to a driver/installation-path problem rather than a faulty USB controller. later confirmed it was fixed. The suggestions from and were on the right track; below are concrete steps that make those ideas reliable and repeatable.

Quick checklist to try first

  • Open Device Manager, locate the problem device (yellow exclamation), and note the exact error code and the Hardware Ids under Properties -> Details. That string is what you should match to a driver.
  • Extract the full driver package to a local folder (do not run setup from inside a ZIP). Use the wizard’s "Have Disk..." option and point it to the folder containing the .inf file.
  • Inspect %windir%\setupapi.log (and the System event log) for "cannot find" lines — they usually name the specific .sys/.dll/.cat file the INF referenced but did not provide.
  • Try a rear/motherboard USB port or a powered hub (some transceivers draw more current than a small flash drive).
  • If many USB devices misbehave, uninstall the "Universal Serial Bus controllers" group in Device Manager and reboot so Windows redetects the controllers.

Extra notes and cautions

  • Make sure you have the correct package for your OS (32 vs 64 bit) and the vendor’s full driver, not just a small helper app. If the INF lists files that aren’t in the package, get the vendor’s complete ZIP or CD. Only install drivers from the device maker or well-known vendors; unsigned or mismatched drivers can create other problems. If all else fails, test the transceiver on another PC to rule out a defective unit.

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Member Avatar for Inky

Doesn't sound like a poorly built system. Sounds like you're not using the correct drivers for the wireless device. If it doesn't prompt you for the drivers when you plug it in, then wait for the error messages (meaning it's done attempting auto-install), go to the Device Manager, and install the correct drivers.

Member Avatar for prof.thakur

Hello, wondering if i can get some advice on this problem. Basically when i connect anything through the USB port and try to install it through the Found New Hardware Wizard, at the end it'll tell me

"There was a problem installing this hardware
*Name of device*
An error occured during the installation of the device
The system cannot find the file specified"

And then the little balloon that comes up on the task bar says "A problem occured during hardware installation. Your new hardware may not work properly" or something like that. However with a memory stick, it still works fine and i can view files, save stuff on it, etc no problems. But when i tried to use a wireless transceiver, it just wouldn't work i.e. I can't see it in the My Computer window. This computer is literally just a month old, so was it just badly built? I try to install the hardware manually, but i get the same error.
Please help, it's a pretty good computer otherwise and this little nagging problem just makes it look bad.

uninstall the device and then again reinstall it
this will solve ur problem
use only the drivers that comes with ur device manufacturer.

Member Avatar for Thinka

OK guys, will try out what you say. Thanks very much

Member Avatar for Thinka

I know it's a bit(!) late in the day, but just in case anyone was wondering, the computer's fine now and has been for some time now, guess it was just a driver issue :-p

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