"Found New Hardware" Wizard for unknown hardware!

I'd be really grateful for help, here...
There was a powercut - the UK is a third world country! - about 5 seconds after I'd pressed the power button on my computer.
After power was restored, I started it up and a pane (pain? ) came up saying "Welcome to the Found New Hardware Wizard" because it wanted to install software for "PCI Device ". I clicked on "Install the software automatically" but it couldn't find what it was looking for. It asked if I wanted to search the internet but, at that moment, I wasn't connected so said "no ".
I powered down, connected the internet cable, and started up again. Sadly, from there on in, the pane never again asked if I wanted to search the internet which might otherwise have been handy.
Following some advice on the internet, I nervously (beginner) opened something horrible called "System Properties ", went to the Hardware tab and selected "Windows Update ". It was configured to "If my device needs a driver, hail a yellow cab "... no, sorry, "go to Windows Update without asking me ". Apparently, this is a good thing. I then clicked on "Device Manager" and, listed there, was the offending item - "Other devices > PCI Device" with superimposed yellow question marks - but, since it didn't tell me what device, I was a bit stumped about what to do next.
I remain stumped and rather worried.
Please could someone help?
P.S. I've posted this in Windows XP, too... sorry, I've no idea whether this is an operating system problem or a hardware problem... a beginner!

 

kewl2cu--

Upon a reboot, do you still get the Found New Hardware message?
Is any peripheral (like printer, scanner, speakers, etc.) not working?
Is the yellow question mark still marking that PCI Device in Device Manager? Right click on "Other devices > PCI Device" then Properties. Do any of the tabs identify the device?
If no luck with all of this, I think I would be inclined to Uninstall the "Other devices > PCI Device" from Device Manager and reboot.
But maybe best to wait for a second opinion.

 

Hi Jim!... thanks for getting back.
1) On reboot, still the same... and still no attempt by it to search the internet for the appropriate files.
2) Checked all the peripherals... all working fine.
3) Yes, the yellow question marks are still there (i.e. one on the root of "Other devices" and a second on the branch "PCI Device ").
4) Comments in PCI Device Properties on the PCI Device icon may be useful:
4a) General tab: "Location: PCI bus 0, device 27, function 0 "
4b) General tab: "This device is not configured correctly. (Code 1)
4c) Driver tab > Driver Details: "No driver files are required or have been loaded for this device. "
4d) Roll Back Driver tab: "No driver files have been backed up for this device. "
4e) Details tab: lots of scary stuff.
4f) Resources tab: "This device isn't using any resources because it has a problem. "
Hope this brings light!

 

kewl2cu-- As mentioned, I would be inclined to uninstall it.
One possible last thing to try before uninstalling, would be Start|Run|type sfc /scannow|OK. This is a way to repair Windows files including drivers. You will need to have your WinXP CD ready since you may be asked to insert in CD-ROM drive.
Good luck.

 

Hi,
It is calling it a "PCI device ", that means that Plug and Play cannot read the firmware.

To cut a long story short, I suggest you find and install the latest motherboard/chipset drivers that are recommended by the motherboard manufacturer. If you have a branded computer like Dell, HP, Compaq, etc you will find them under your model number at their website. If it is a non branded type, Everest in my signature may help you identify it (do you have the manual/User Guide?). In Everest look under Motherboard -> Motherboard -> Motherboard Properties.

Let us know if you need help.

Matt

 

Hi Jim and Matt...
Many thanks for your suggestions.
Because I quake at the thought of downloading drivers, I tried a little experiment. I went into System (etc) and disabled the PCI device to see if anything went awry. All seemed stable afterwards.
Then I downloaded the Everest Home Edition - very impressive program - and checked through Devices>PCI Devices. One of them was supported but disabled: Asus 802.11b/g Wireless Network Adapter. Do you reckon that that could be the offending thingy? Anyway, if so, it can remain disabled because I have no intention of wirelessing!
Hope that made sense!
Best wishes, Barry.

 

kewl2cu--Good (brave) move. The main thing is that the message is gone and everything seems to work.
If you care to pursue this further, perhaps Mattman can tell you more.

 

It sounds like a relatively new computer with an Asus motherboard that has built-in wireless networking.

Do you have the disks that came with the computer? All the basic drivers you need should be on one of those disks, it should simply be a matter of running the CD and selecting to install the drivers. The ones for the Network Adapter could be termed "Ethernet ".

You can't make many mistakes with drivers. If you install the wrong ones, Windows will try to refuse installing them. A driver installation program just puts the files into the system saying "here's the drivers you need ". Windows then checks them and installs them if they are correct. If they are not the correct ones Windows does not use them (although you can force it to, but Windows puts up a fight).

If you don't use the correct drivers you may start getting slowdowns, error messages and knowing Win XP, shutdowns or restarts (this will happen or get worse with the more software you install that wants to run the hardware drivers).

If you have the drivers CD that came with the computer just run the drivers installation programs on it, Windows should take care of the rest.

Matt