I have a laptop that runs Windows XP and for some reason no exteral devices will work. I had changed some settings trying to pick up a wireless signasl that i usually had no problems with. Now the computer will not recognize and kind of external hardware, i.e. wireless card, anything plugged into the USB ports, the sound card, it won't even recognize the internet when plugged directly into the modem.

I tried rolling the system back to before I started changing settings but it still wont work. Also, Windows was loaded onto the computer when I got it and I have no Windows disks to reinstall the OS.

Anyone suggestions or guidence would be extremely appreciated.

Also, my device manager is empty.

#107 to the right side: "Restore the Device Manager"

http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

What is the make and model of the computer?

If the manufacturer did not provide a disk then your hard drive contains a recovery partition.

found my windows disk and reinstalled my OS. now i got all the externals to work, but i cant connect to the wireless network. it is an open system and i'm getting a good signal but it just tries and tries to connect but never does. no error message comes up, it just won't connect.

i have a wireless card on my desktop computer and it is working fine.

my laptop is a compaq pressario V5000