ME hangs while updating Hardware DB

Anyone with a suggestion on how to deal with the "Updating
Hadware Information Database" box that hangs and does
nothing? I also cannot install the update for Outlook
Express as the machine also hangs. I've tried to upgrade to
XP Home but the machine will not get past the
"compatibility" section. It hangs at 78 minutes to install
even though I've let the system sit for an hour like that.

Check your windows\inf folder (a hidden system folder and you will have to
enable the viewing of such files and folders in Explorer (Tools | Folder
Options | View and check "Show hidden files and folders" and uncheck "Hide
protected operating system files") and look for large numbers of oem*.inf
files that are all 0 bytes in size. If you've got thousands of such files
this is the cause of your problem as you're probably at the limit of the
number of entries that can be entered in a FAT folder and therefore cannot add
any inf file associated with the update. Delete these 0 byte oem*.inf files.

Why has this happened? If you have Norton's System Doctor installed did you
perhaps forget to disable System Doctor before updating your system from the
Windows Update site? If you don't delete these files some software and most
hardware and driver installs will take a very long time to complete if they
complete at all.

For more details see the Symantec site:
http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT...15010309&src=n and
also MS KB 281967 - "Computer Stops Responding (Hangs) During Setup,
Installing Updates, or Adding New Hardware"
(http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=281967). I would strongly recommend that
you contact Microsoft and mention 281967 and also 301540 and ask for a copy of
the new ifsmgr.vxd v4.90.3003. You will then either be sent the file or told
how and where to download a copy. There should be no charge for this call
other than for the cost of the phone call. Alternatively do yourself and your
PC a favour and dump System Doctor.
--
Mike Maltby MS-MVP



Mike wrote:

Anyone with a suggestion on how to deal with the "Updating
Hadware Information Database" box that hangs and does
nothing? I also cannot install the update for Outlook
Express as the machine also hangs. I've tried to upgrade to
XP Home but the machine will not get past the
"compatibility" section. It hangs at 78 minutes to install
even though I've let the system sit for an hour like that.

Have you been running with the Quack?
Are you running Norton System Quack - - errr - Doctor?
If so, then read on......

You may have up to 32,000 empty OEM*.INF files sitting in your
c:\Windows\INF folder, which prevents any program putting a legitimate *.INF
file in there (it also slow your system down to stop, trying to read them
and sort the [non-existent] contents!).
You need to DELETE all 0byte (and ONLY the 0byte) OEM*.INF files.
look here for information on how to do that , and how to prevent it
happening again (i.e. TURN OFF NORTON SYSTEM DOCTOR - unless you are
actively troubleshooting something)

The Symantec site:
http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT...15010309&src=n

also
"Computer Stops Responding (Hangs) During Setup, Installing Updates, or
Adding New Hardware"
(http://support.microsoft.com/default...;en-us;Q281967)
also
http://support.microsoft.com/default...;en-us;Q301540
(which contains the fix for your problem in the NOTE under the patch
description)
Phone your Local MS office, and tell them your problem quoting Q301540 -
they'll either send you the patch, or give you a one-use password, for the
cost of the call.

Good Luck


--
Noel Paton (MS-MVP 2002-2004, Win9x)

Nil Carborundum Illegitemi
http://www.btinternet.com/~winnoel/millsrpch.htm
http://tinyurl.com/6oztj

Please read http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm on how to post messages to NG's

"Mike" wrote in message
...
Anyone with a suggestion on how to deal with the "Updating
Hadware Information Database" box that hangs and does
nothing? I also cannot install the update for Outlook
Express as the machine also hangs. I've tried to upgrade to
XP Home but the machine will not get past the
"compatibility" section. It hangs at 78 minutes to install
even though I've let the system sit for an hour like that.