Working with the Device Manager

Device Manager is a console that enables you to view and monitor the status of devices and drivers. Using Device Manager, you can automatically install the drivers, and modify the properties of a driver. The Device Manager enables you to manually scan and install devices. In addition, you can enable or disable a hardware device using the Device Manager. The device manager reports the device error with a yellow colored exclamation icon next to the device. Device manager has error codes for every event of device failure.

To scan and install devices automatically:

1. Open the Device Manager Console.

2. Select the name of the computer.

3. Select Action - Scan for hardware changes. Windows displays a Scanning Plug and Play compliant hardware message and starts the appropriate wizard to install or update devices.

To disable a device:

1. Open Device Manager.

2. Select the device that you need to disable.

3. Select Action -> Disable. A message box appears,

4. Click the Yes button. Windows disables the device and displays a red cross against the device in the Device Manager Console,

To enable a device:

1. Open Device Manager.

2. Select the device that is disabled.

3. Select Action -> Enable. Windows Server 2003 enables the device and deletes the red cross simbol against the device.

The Device Manager Console also allows you to view devices in two views. They are:

Devices by type - Sorts the devices by category, such as, modems, network adapters and printers

Devices by connection - Sorts the devices as per their connections to the computer