PDA

View Full Version : Guide:Remove Unused Device Drivers.........


Zefram
02-07-05, 04:53 PM
Windows XP - this OS makes it easier for us by offering those Plug n' Play capability.............. so, you only need to install the drivers for the 1st time, and when you reconnect the device, you can use it without delay.
Sure, this function is great, but what about if you want to connect the devices only for that time and will never connect it again?
Here's a guide on how to remove the Unused device drivers............

First of all, open up your device manager in "my computer" properties
http://img41.exs.cx/img41/2742/devicedrivers4nf.jpg

Then, enabled the "show hidden devices"
http://img41.exs.cx/img41/8820/hiddendevices17yr.jpg

It should show you all the "hidden" and "ghosted" devices.........
And in my case, i've installed a Seagate 80GB HDD to transfer my files after i formatted my PC, and now its on my brother PC. So, i wont be using it anymore. So, i just click on the grayed out "ST380011A"
http://img224.exs.cx/img224/6395/hiddendevices3qp.jpg

And it should launch the device properties.............
There you'll see the device status, read it yourself : :D
http://img35.exs.cx/img35/5965/hiddendevices26fk.jpg

Go to "drivers" tab and then click uninstall. It should remove the drivers with ease.....
http://img35.exs.cx/img35/5016/hiddendevices34dp.jpg

Thats it, the device drivers should be removed from the system. If you do reconnect the device, the OS will load back the drivers from the SP1 or SP2 .cab file and will prompt you to restart your PC.
The benefit of this guide? It will reduce the load on the OS when it boot, so the VxD drivers wont have to mapped all the drivers (the OS will make like the device active, but it isn't). It should make the booting process faster, as the OS doenst need to load any drivers into the RAM...........
This is useful for those who always swapped hardware or tested new hardware........

Have fun, and happy chinese new year! :D

Juan
02-07-05, 07:23 PM
Nice info!

W0ody1
02-07-05, 07:56 PM
Nicely done Zefram, thouroughly complete info as usual ;P

Ginsu543
02-08-05, 04:02 AM
Does anyone know what PartMgr.exe does? I tried to follow Zefram's tip, and I got a yellow exclamation mark next to PartMgr under the Non-Plug and Play Drivers heading. Before I uninstall it, I was wondering if anyone knew what it was for.

stlouis1
02-08-05, 04:55 AM
by the name of it, it sounds like something to do with harddrives. i searched my hard drive and found a partmgr.sys in my system folder. i think i would leave that one there just in case

Zefram
02-08-05, 11:50 AM
Does anyone know what PartMgr.exe does? I tried to follow Zefram's tip, and I got a yellow exclamation mark next to PartMgr under the Non-Plug and Play Drivers heading. Before I uninstall it, I was wondering if anyone knew what it was for.
I believe that was the Partition Manager, and you'll get yellow exclamation marks if you dont have any partition in your HDD.........
Mine is the same, but on my brother PC the PartMgr is active............... (he have 2 partition on his 40GB HDD)

I think its better to keep those.................. :p
Anyone that have a "test" rig, can you try uninstalling those and tell us either its stable to remove it or not? Thanks in advance for any input!

And yeah, what the hell is radeon probe?
It seems worse than anal probe :D
http://img201.exs.cx/img201/407/radeonprobe2lp.jpg

Ginsu543
02-10-05, 03:05 AM
Thanks for the info, Zefram. It makes sense.