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137
restarting your computer. Windows XP automatically identifies (enumer-
ates) the new hardware and installs the necessary drivers. Windows XP fully
supports computers with BIOS versions that are compliant with the
Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI) specification.
Windows XP also supports computers with certain BIOS versions that are
compliant with the older Advanced Power Management (APM) specifica-
tion.
Installing, Configuring, and Managing
Hardware
You might need to configure devices on Windows XP machines using the
Add Hardware Wizard in the Control Panel or by clicking the Add
Hardware Wizard button from the Hardware tab on the System Properties
window. Keep in mind that in most cases, you need to be logged on to the
local computer as a member of the Administrators group to add, configure,
and remove devices. Many devices completely configure themselves without
any administrator intervention at all; other devices require some administra-
tive effort.
Installing PnP Devices and Non-PnP Devices
Connect the device to the appropriate port or slot on your computer accord-
ing to the device manufacturer’s instructions. If the new device is not imme-
diately discovered by the operating system, you might need to start or restart
your computer. Plan for necessary downtime on production computers. PnP
is an enormous convenience, but it is not a replacement for preparedness. If
you are prompted to restart your computer, do so when it is appropriate. For
PnP devices, Windows XP should detect the device and then immediately
start the Found New Hardware Wizard. If a new device does not immedi-
ately install, you might need to use a special setup driver disk, CD-ROM, or
DVD from the manufacturer that ships with the device. If you are still unable
to install the device, or if you are installing a non-PnP device, perform the
following manual installation steps:
1. Click the Add Hardware icon in the Control Panel.
2. Click Next and then click Yes, I Have Already Connected the
Hardware. Click Next again.
3. Scroll down the Installed Hardware list to the bottom, select Add a
New Hardware Device, and click Next.
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4.
Select one of the following options:
Search for and Install the Hardware Automatically (Recommended)—Do
this step if you want Windows XP to try to detect the new device
that you want to install.
Install the Hardware That I Manually Select from a List (Advanced)
Do this step if you know the type and model of the device you are
installing and you want to select it from a list of devices.
5. Click Next, and then follow the instructions on your screen.
6. You might be prompted to restart your computer, depending on the
type of device.
Troubleshooting Installed Devices with the Add Hardware
Wizard
Sometimes, an installed hardware device is not automatically recognized by
the Windows XP PnP enumeration. If an installed device fails to be discov-
ered or fails to function, a desktop support technician should troubleshoot
the device by performing the following steps:
1. Click the Add Hardware icon in the Control Panel.
2. Click Next and then click Yes, I Have Already Connected the
Hardware. Click Next again.
3. Select the installed hardware device that you are having trouble with
and click Next.
4. Follow the subsequent instructions on your screen. Click Finish to
launch the Hardware Update Wizard or to go through a hardware
troubleshooter from the Windows XP Help and Support Center
shown in Figure 4.1, depending on the device in question, to try to
resolve the problem. Otherwise, click Cancel to exit the Add Hardware
Wizard.
Troubleshooting Hardware with Device Manager
The Windows XP Device Manager is quite similar to the Device Manager in
Windows 2000. The Device Manager window displays hardware devices
connected to the computer. Device Manager gives administrators the power
to update device drivers, enable or disable devices, uninstall devices, scan for
hardware changes, roll back drivers, and even work with resource settings for
devices, all in one centralized interface.

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