Hi, I am having some problems with plug and play, from what I understand, windows xp has plug and play, so I thought when I put a card reader in from my digital camera, it would automatically detect it and just download the images, the same for when I bought a new mouse with a USB connection, but I was wrong a message came up saying, found new hardware, and a box appears, something about if I have a disc with the devices it recommends using it, neither the mouse nor the camera have a disc, could it be plug and play is not working, this may be a daft question, but how do I know if I have plug and play, please help, Im new to all this, many thanks Tanya.

Originally Posted by emptage

Hi, I am having some problems with plug and play, from what I understand, windows xp has plug and play, so I thought when I put a card reader in from my digital camera, it would automatically detect it and just download the images, the same for when I bought a new mouse with a USB connection, but I was wrong a message came up saying, found new hardware, and a box appears, something about if I have a disc with the devices it recommends using it, neither the mouse nor the camera have a disc, could it be plug and play is not working, this may be a daft question, but how do I know if I have plug and play, please help, Im new to all this, many thanks Tanya.

You need to install the software that comes with the product.

wait a minute... windows XP DOES have plug n play... so why's that popping out? unless my definition of plug n play is wrong.

is that card unique in any sense?

as to checking your computer's plug and play... sorry i'm not much help there. i'll do a search later on.

XP normally has plug & Play, but some items, particularly card readers. require drivrs to be installed, as they are not always built as plug & play.items.

Also, if installing a USB mouse, legacy USB has to be selected in the bios.

Im completely lost, I thought if it had a usb connection you could just plug it in and off you go, as there was no software with the mouse.

I dont think the card is unique, I have a lap top and if I put the reader in there, I have no problems, I dont think this pc likes me, the feeling is becoming mutual.

re USB mouse, it will be ok once XP has opened, but sometimes you need to use the mouse before the operating system is fully operating.
Thats why the legacy drivers are usually enabled in bios.

My own card reader requires drivers, both in XP, and vista,

Plug and Play is a Service. Make sure it is Started and set to Automatic.

start Run... services.msc