Hardware Profiles Have an Empty Description Line

• Microsoft Windows NT Workstation version 4.0
• Microsoft Windows NT Server version 4.0

SYMPTOMS

When you try to edit your hardware profiles, there is an empty line in your list of available profiles.

To see the list of available profiles:

1. Right-click the My Computer icon and click Properties.

2. On the Hardware Profiles tab, there is a list of available profiles.

CAUSE

There may be a problem in the PreferenceOrder setting of the registry. Look in the Registry in the subtree HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE at the following subkey:

   \SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control IDConfigDB\Hardware Profiles\
      <available profiles>\PreferenceOrder

WORKAROUND

Change the PreferenceOrder setting so that all PreferenceOrder settings are in sequence.

WARNING: Using Registry Editor incorrectly can cause serious, system-wide problems that may require you to reinstall Windows NT to correct them. Microsoft cannot guarantee that any problems resulting from the use of Registry Editor can be solved. Use this tool at your own risk.

1. Start Registry Editor (Regedt32.exe) and locate the following Registry subkey in the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE subtree:

   \SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\IDConfigDB\Hardware Profiles\

         <list of available profiles 000x>
   

2. Select the profile to edit.

3. Highlight PreferenceOrder (REG_DWORD).

4. On the Edit menu, click Edit - DWORD.

5. Change the data so that all profiles are in sequence.

6. Click OK and quit the Registry Editor.

7. Shut down and restart Windows NT.