Resources for Disabled Devices Not Freed Up

ID: Q128919

The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Windows 95

SYMPTOMS

Even though you disable a device in your computer's CMOS settings, Windows 95 enables the device and consumes its resources. Windows 95 may also reinstall a device that is removed from Device Manager.


CAUSE

When Windows 95 starts, it examines the resources supplied by your computer and activates them as needed. Windows 95 detects Plug and Play devices regardless of the CMOS settings.


RESOLUTION

To prevent Windows 95 from activating disabled hardware, you must disable the hardware in the computer's CMOS settings and remove it from the current configuration in Windows 95. This frees the device's resources for other devices to use. To disable a device in the current configuration, follow these steps:

  1. Click the Start button, point to Settings, then click Control Panel.


  2. Double-click the System icon.


  3. Click the Device Manager tab, then double-click the device you want to disable.


  4. Click the General tab, then click the Original Configuration (Current) check box to clear it.


  5. Click the OK button.


  6. Restart Windows 95 when prompted.


  7. Disable the device in your computer's CMOS settings. For information about how to disable a device in your computer's CMOS settings, please contact your computer's manufacturer.


Example

An example of when you might want to disable a device is when you have a PS/2-style mouse port in your computer but you are not using a PS/2-style mouse. This device appears in Device Manager with an exclamation point in a yellow circle, meaning that the device is not working properly.

For additional information about this particular issue, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
Q126632 Mouse Detected as PS/2-Style or Bus Does Not Work During Setup


MORE INFORMATION

When you disable a device in Device Manager, you must restart your computer before you can reassign the device's resources to another device, even though you are not prompted to restart Windows 95.

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Last Reviewed: June 4, 1999
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