What does this mean?

Hello, could someone please tell me what this error message actually means:

Windows found driver software for your device but encountered an error while attempting to install it.

There is no driver selected for the device information set or element.

If you know the manufacturer of your device, you can visit its website and check the support section for driver software.

(ohh thanks vista how helpful, the devices I am trying to use are plug and play and should not require drivers.)

So what does no driver selected for the device information set or element
actually mean? It gives no indication of how to rectify the problem.

It is the PC equivalent of saying "Can't do it" with no mention of why or how to resolve the problem. The lack of support within the operating system is astounding to me, so I ask for your help in finding a resolution to this infuriating problem.

Thanks in advance.

 

This is what I am dealing with:

I get the error message stated in my previous post (There is no driver selected for the device information set or element) for all of the following devices:

OS: Windows Vista (TM) Home Basic Service Pack 1 (OEM)

Device Tree

(Category name missing)
Other devices

HL-DT-ST DVDRAM GSA-T50L ATA Device

Unable to Detect, Hardware ID: CdRomHL-DT-ST_DVDRAM_GSA T50L________________SC05____

HP Webcam-101 : Unable to Detect, Hardware ID: VID_064E&PID_A102

HP Webcam-101 : Unable to Detect, Hardware ID:VID_064E&PID_A102&MI_00

ImageMate CF : Unable to Detect, Hardware ID: VID_0781&PID_9191

Unknown device : Unable to Detect, Hardware ID: PNP0C0A

Unknown device : Unable to Detect, Hardware ID: Volume

Unknown device : Unable to Detect, Hardware ID: VolumeSnapshot

Unknown device : Unable to Detect, Hardware ID: VolumeSnapshot

Unknown device : Unable to Detect, Hardware ID: VolumeSnapshot

Unknown device : Unable to Detect, Hardware ID: VolumeSnapshot

Unknown device : Unable to Detect, Hardware ID: VolumeSnapshot

Unknown device : Unable to Detect, Hardware ID: VolumeSnapshot

Unknown device : Unable to Detect, Hardware ID: VolumeSnapshot

Unknown device : Unable to Detect, Hardware ID: VolumeSnapshot

Unknown device : Unable to Detect, Hardware ID: VolumeSnapshot

Unknown device : Unable to Detect, Hardware ID: VolumeSnapshot

Unknown device : Unable to Detect, Hardware ID: ROOT_HUB

Unknown device : Unable to Detect, Hardware ID: ROOT_HUB

Unknown device : Unable to Detect, Hardware ID: ROOT_HUB

Unknown device : Unable to Detect, Hardware ID: ROOT_HUB

Unknown device : Unable to Detect, Hardware ID: ROOT_HUB

Unknown device : Unable to Detect, Hardware ID: ROOT_HUB

Unknown device : Unable to Detect, Hardware ID: ROOT_HUB20

Unknown device : Unable to Detect, Hardware ID: ROOT_HUB20

ARRRRRRRRRRRRGH

 

What is the make and model of your computer? I almost seems like you are missing chipset drivers.

 

I am using a HP Compaq Presario CQ70-211EM running Windows Vista home basic with SP1 and my operating system is 32bit.

 

Does installing the Chipset Driver help? Just searching, this problem seems to affect Vista more than usual.

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/...dlc=en&lc=en&os=2093&product=3879634&sw_lang=


Edit: After the Chipset, I would install this driver.

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/...dlc=en&lc=en&os=2093&product=3879634&sw_lang=

 

I just re-installed the chipset driver you suggested, it said I already had the files on my system which I overwrote. I will do a restart now and see if anything has changed.

Thanks mate.

 

After restart everything remained the same. I get about 10 "windows needs to install driver software for your device" popups before I can do anything.
Then the same old:

There is no driver selected for the device information set or element.

I have just done a windows update also, then restarted and tried again to make sure it didn't miss any and it offered me SP2. I tried installing from windows update but the download was hanging at 0% for ages so I cancelled and downloaded SP2 as a standalone installation package. Do you think this would sort any of my issues out? Do service packs modify drivers/reg keys?

The only problem is, I have no way to back up my data beforehand (because of the driver issue). Is it common to have major problems with SP2 installs?
Do you think I am more likely to have issues installing manually as opposed to through windows update?

Thing is I don't want to risk installing SP2 if it is unlikely that it will solve any of these issues and the possibility that it could cause me even worse problems is putting me off.

Edit to add: I just saw your edit linking to the driver for realtek USB card reader, the only card reader I have is a SanDisk Imagemate but I will give it a try.

Thanks T

 

I have never came across this before. You have some serious issues if Vista SP2 hangs at 0%.

Check this link and make sure all of your services are like those noted.

http://www.blackviper.com/2008/01/2...-vista-service-pack-1-service-configurations/

Would you be willing to reset the computer back to a factory state after backing up all of your data? You would have to reinstall any program after purchase.

 

When you say you have no way to back up your data because of the drive issue, are you saying the computer is non-functional in normal mode? What happens in safe mode? Do you have an external drive available?

 

What I mean is, I can't back up to an external drive because no USB devices will work, it gets power so the USB port is functional but then vista asks for a driver which I do not have (plug & play devices) same with any medium of storage that relies on USB. Also it is not possible to back up to DVD/CD because of the same problem - no driver selected for the device information set or element (which I still have no idea how to fix).

Safe mode is the same. My computer is functioning pretty much fine - only having real problems with USB and CD drive not been recognized/not showing up in drives panel when plugged in.

Sometimes the compact flash card reader does show up in the drives panel, but when i double click it says "please insert a disk into drive G".

Weird isn't it?

 

You can download Puppy Linux 5.2.8. Works great. Burn the iso with Imgburn at 4X, boot the CD and transfer the files.

Recover files from Windows hard disk using Puppy Linux

How to write an image file to a disc using ImgBurn