Vista bites... again
This isn't on topic, but I had to share it.
My Vista test machine downloaded and installed some updates today. After the updates finished installing and rebooting I was presented with the login screen, but there was no mouse cursor.
After investigating I've discovered that one of these updates uninstalled my mouse driver. The mouse is a Microsoft optical mouse. The machine is a plain ol' Dell Dimension.
I'm sure you can appreciate how annoyed I am by this unexpected disruption to my schedule. Vista has presented me with one problem after another since I started trying to use it during it's beta almost 2 years ago. In my opinion, Vista's improvements over XP are overshadowed by it's never-ending stream of problems.
Well, I hope posting this will provide a few people with a chuckle. I just hope a few Microsoft employees read it and take to heart the fact that at least one their customers is mighty unhappy. Sadly, Microsoft has become a company that produces products I prefer to avoid.
All Replies
- Hi,
I hope someone can help me, I just downloaded and installed the same updates I think and am having the same problem.
I have a ASUS USB Optical Corded Mouse. No mouse pointer anymore. Unplugged from old USB port and added to another, it tries to install and comes up with
"Windows found driver software for your device but encountered an error while attempting to install it.....HID Compliant Device"
"The device installation file for this device is missing a necessary entry. This may be because the INF was written for Windows95 or later. Contact your hardware vendor"
Now because this is a fairly simple standard mouse it didn't come with drivers so obviously should be using the standard HID drivers. But I am having a @$##$$ of a time trying to track down uncorrupted ones on the net, especially while trying to navigate websites with the KEYBOARD!
This is beyond a joke, blowing away drivers for such a fundamental peripheral....*sigh*
Any help much appreciated.
Thanks,
Nathan - I'm having the exact same problem with all logitech mouses. Only my wacom tablet works because it's using his own drivers or was never to be uninstalled after the update. Problem also started after the update yesterday.
- I'm seeing the same behavior. Vista pushed down the KB938371 update and it no longer recognizes my Dell USB mouse or my Logitech MX700 wireless mouse. I get the same error dialog "Found New Hardware - Unknown Device)
Windows encountered a problem installing the driver software for your device
Windows found driver software for your device but encountered an error while attempting to install it.
HID-compliant device
An error occurred during the installation of the device
The driver installation file for this device is missing a necessary entry. This may because the INF was written for Windows 95 or later. Contact your hardware vendor.
blah, blah, blah...
This occurs with any USB port on my machine and with both mice. I have a mose with my Wacom tablet that still works. It has it's own drivers and MS didn't touch them.
If I do a System Restore, it all works. As soon as I install 983731, I lose the mice. At my office I've been the sole voice sticking up for Vista when people bash it. This is really frustrating as 983731 is a prerequisite for SP1. I did the same thing, however for me it did not turn out well. I did a system restore to the restore point just before the update. After the reboot all works well, all mouses are working 100% as they used to. but then it magically redetects my mouse again and all is dead. Is there some sort of driver cache where it gets it's faulty drivers from ?
- I'm experiencing the exact same issue. My motherboard does not have PS/2 ports, only USB. My USB keyboard works fine, but my mouse doesn't.
Come on, Microsoft. Something this simple?!?! - same exact problem here...this is pathetic microsoft.
I've been trying to find information about this problem off and on all day. Others are experiencing it, but I have yet to see any solution other than to back up to a pre-update image and then turn off automatically applied updates and avoid installing update kb938371. This worked for me.
Here's a link to another thread about the same problem. The last post on this thread says Microsoft has been informed of the problem.
- Maybe we can identify something in common with our machines or setups that is a factor with this problem. I have two Vista boxes at home. One ran 938371 without any problems, the other lost it's mouse functionaltity.
The machine where 938371 worked fine is a Dell box with an Intel Core Dual motherboard.
The machine that has the problem is an Athlon X2 system using an ASUS M2N-SLI Deluxe board with Vista 32-bit. I have a cordless Logitec MX700 mouse and a Dell Optical mouse, both on USB. Vista identifies them as "HID-compliant device" but can't locate a driver for them. I also have a Wacom Bamboo Fun tablet and it's mouse works just fine as a "HID-compliant device" device.
Both machines are running Vista Home Premimum, 32 bit. I uninstalled my updates using system restore and they (for it seems) remain uninstalled because they show up as an update that should be installed in my updates list. But after a couple of minutes is seems to reinitialize my mouse drivers, detects a new one and I'm back to square one.
I have just one pc with vista ultimate 64 bit. The machine is a quad core intel with 4 GB ram. Also a Asus sli nforce board, I forgot which type exactly. I have a mouse with a wire (logitech ifeel mouseman optical) and two normal logitech optical scrollwheel mouses which I tried. Both on USB.
Vista recognizes all as the correct naming and installs TWO devices for ONE mouse: The first device logitech ifeel mouseman optical reinstalls without problems. The second device ("HID-compliant device") crashes with the famous line that the inf file contains windows 95 or later ... yadayadayada ....
I also have a wacom bamboo fun tablet (usb) which works fine as a "HID compliant device" plus the wacom driver. The usb joystick works fine, also a logitech. My guess is when I reinstall them they will give me the same error.
*UPDATE* I tested if it was only the case with my mice, so I uninstalled my creative game port. After the reboot it detected the game port but when installing it gave the exact same error. As if it affected all available HID devices.
- can anyone or microsoft place a link for the c:\windows\inf folder in a zip that as not been changed with the update??
please, i have lost 2 days on this and i have much more to do then fix microsoft bad updates.
for now on my updates will be always off..
PLEASE PLACE A LINK OF A ZIP THAT CONTAINS INF FOLDER! NOW - Mixing and matching the contents of the .inf folder could cause more problems that it fixes. If you really want to pull that trigger, try the following:
- Run System Restore and roll back Vista to the point just before 938371 was installed.
- Verify that the mouse still works.
- Copy the entire inf folder to a new folder
- Install the 938371 update
- copy the that version of the inf folder to a save place
- copy the pre-938371 folder to the current (broken) inf folder
- Profit
I don't know of that would work and there's a good chance that Vista would call shenanigans on you and invoke WFP and replace the files after you copy them. - no system restore...
can anyone tell me what inf files need to be replace?
can anyone place them ?
Installing SP1 then reinstalling the missing device in Device Manager restored the mouse for me.- Graham,
Were you seeing the same symptons that I reported earlier? Where you get something like:
"Windows found driver software for your device but encountered an error while attempting to install it.....HID Compliant Device"
"The device installation file for this device is missing a necessary entry. This may be because the INF was written for Windows95 or later. Contact your hardware vendor"
thanks,
Chris Graham Titmus wrote: Installing SP1 then reinstalling the missing device in Device Manager restored the mouse for me.
That worked for me. I installed the update in question AFTER installing SP1 and it worked.
My problem is why did MS require this update for those NOT ON SP1?? I did not want to upgrade to SP1 yet (still some compatibility issues with a couple of programs I heavily use), but at this point, I'm forced to use it temporarily.
How can you install the update AFTER installing SP1 when the update is a prerequisite of sp1 ??
The old system-restore-copy-inf-to-safe-place-and-copy-it-back-over-faulty-one-switcheroo didn't work because the inf file is somehow locked or replaced by the newer one from the update cache.
If someone knows how to clean my cache from windows update ???
Then I can do a system restore again without the risc of my .inf being replaced by the newer updated faulty version....
I'm also getting tired of this... have to make a living by working with this computer but the only living I make is one of a living hell.... and the hotfix ? still waiting....
mrska wrote: How can you install the update AFTER installing SP1 when the update is a prerequisite of sp1 ??
The old system-restore-copy-inf-to-safe-place-and-copy-it-back-over-faulty-one-switcheroo didn't work because the inf file is somehow locked or replaced by the newer one from the update cache.
If someone knows how to clean my cache from windows update ???
Then I can do a system restore again without the risc of my .inf being replaced by the newer updated faulty version....
I'm also getting tired of this... have to make a living by working with this computer but the only living I make is one of a living hell.... and the hotfix ? still waiting....
The actual description in Windows Updates just says the update "helps future updates on all editions of Windows Vista..." So it must not be an actual pre-requisite for SP1, even though the actual link to the update says otherwise.
Hi all,
I found the solution on another forum (forgot which one). The problem is, as stated, a Human Interface Device in combination with update KB938371. After installing it, my usb-mouse stopped working. Just go to device manager --> HID-devices --> Unknown Device and search for drivers. Vista will not find any drivers online, so you have to search for drivers on your own computer. The location of this driver (in most cases) will be C:/Windows/Winsxs. You will get a popup saying "this is an unsigned driver bla bla bla". Just install the driver. The mouse worked for me (even without reboot).
OS: Vista Home Premium 64-bit.
-Dr-
Drnitro wrote: Hi all,
I found the solution on another forum (forgot which one). The problem is, as stated, a Human Interface Device in combination with update KB938371. After installing it, my usb-mouse stopped working. Just go to device manager --> HID-devices --> Unknown Device and search for drivers. Vista will not find any drivers online, so you have to search for drivers on your own computer. The location of this driver (in most cases) will be C:/Windows/Winsxs. You will get a popup saying "this is an unsigned driver bla bla bla". Just install the driver. The mouse worked for me (even without reboot).
OS: Vista Home Premium 64-bit.
-Dr-
FINALLY a working solutions THANK YOU !!!
OS: Vista Ultimate 64-bit
- Add another one to the list. I'm pissed as all hell and I really need my machine up and running.
Initial symptoms:
Came home to find a desktop up and ready, but no mouse or keyboard functionality. Last thing before I went work last night was to allow Vista to update. BAD MOVE apparently. Booted, was able to login - but no mouse. Checked the device tab for yellow or red problems in drivers portion of the system settings. NOTHING there. NO error messages anywhere, unlike some who have seen some error messages.
Chucked my logitech *** in the corner thinking they were the problem. Hooked up a known working PS2 mouse and PS2 keyboard. Boots up with the keyboard working before windows loads (works in the BIOS menu, F8 works too). But when windows loads, the keyboard locks up (can't NUM Lock, CAPS, or anything). I get my login screen, I CANNOT LOGIN!!. Mouse cursor works for 2 minutes, then disappears.
I'm basically screwed six ways to Sunday--as Safe mode doesn't help (requires password, CANNOT TYPE!!!), and 'last known config' doesn't help either. Tried booting with my Vista CD, doesn't see any restore points (I NEVER DISABLED IT).
BUT, they keyboard works when I boot with the Vista CD and go to the command prompt. What do I have to delete or do to the INF's to get this working?
I don't know what to do, and I need this machine up and running. Thinking of upgrading to XP as well (yes, upgrade). Y'all that don't use a password may have been lucky here, because if you can get a mouse to work, you can atleast navigate with that. Without keyboard functionality, you're screwed.
What in the ever living god compelled microsoft to update the keyboard and mouse drivers? What the hell needs to be enhanced here? Security hole in my mouse that allows hackers in to control my PC? Give me a break. PS2 and USB keyboards and mice are, lets face it, old technology that I would think has been standardized by now.
Microsoft is going to make me buy a Mac, and I hate Macs. The latest "I'm a Mac, I'm a PC" ads have it dead on with the girl throwing a fit at the gong.
Basics:
Logitech mouse and keyboard (wireless) - USB with plug in port for power, and a PS2 mouse connection.
Tried old PS2 mouse and PS2 keyboard.
Vista Home Premium (my *** premium) 64-bit
4000+ AMD
MSI K8N motherboard
2gb OCZ memory
evga 6600gt video card - LOL @ a "working solution"
Add another one to the list. I'm pissed as all hell and I really need my machine up and running.
Initial symptoms:
Came home to find a desktop up and ready, but no mouse or keyboard functionality. Last thing before I went work last night was to allow Vista to update. BAD MOVE apparently. Booted, was able to login - but no mouse. Checked the device tab for yellow or red problems in drivers portion of the system settings. NOTHING there. NO error messages anywhere, unlike some who have seen some error messages.
Chucked my logitech *** in the corner thinking they were the problem. Hooked up a known working PS2 mouse and PS2 keyboard. Boots up with the keyboard working before windows loads (works in the BIOS menu, F8 works too). But when windows loads, the keyboard locks up (can't NUM Lock, CAPS, or anything). I get my login screen, I CANNOT LOGIN!!. Mouse cursor works for 2 minutes, then disappears.
I'm basically screwed six ways to Sunday--as Safe mode doesn't help (requires password, CANNOT TYPE!!!), and 'last known config' doesn't help either. Tried booting with my Vista CD, doesn't see any restore points (I NEVER DISABLED IT).
BUT, they keyboard works when I boot with the Vista CD and go to the command prompt. What do I have to delete or do to the INF's to get this working?
I don't know what to do, and I need this machine up and running. Thinking of upgrading to XP as well (yes, upgrade). Y'all that don't use a password may have been lucky here, because if you can get a mouse to work, you can atleast navigate with that. Without keyboard functionality, you're screwed.
What in the ever living god compelled microsoft to update the keyboard and mouse drivers? What the hell needs to be enhanced here? Security hole in my mouse that allows hackers in to control my PC? Give me a break. PS2 and USB keyboards and mice are, lets face it, old technology that I would think has been standardized by now.
Microsoft is going to make me buy a Mac, and I hate Macs. The latest "I'm a Mac, I'm a PC" ads have it dead on with the girl throwing a fit at the gong.
Basics:
Logitech mouse and keyboard (wireless) - USB with plug in port for power, and a PS2 mouse connection.
Tried old PS2 mouse and PS2 keyboard.
Vista Home Premium (my *** premium) 64-bit
4000+ AMD
MSI K8N motherboard
2gb OCZ memory
evga 6600gt video card - I have a PC with Vista ultimate and I have the same problem. After installing that KB938371 update, it restarts and then theres no mouse cursor and the keyboard dont work. Luckily I have restore points that work so I can keep trying different things until the update works.
I used a mates "home premium" laptop (on which the update worked) to remotely connect to the PC. On the connection software i could see a cursor but on the PC there was nothing. I tried everything to get the drivers to reinstall but nohting worked.
I have an idea that im gonna try when i get a chance . Without the update, I;m gonna set up voice recognition and set it to start at start up. Then I'll install the update and with no mouse and keyboard I will control the PC with my voice. with the laptop I fogot to try the to install the drivers from the system32\winsxs folder so im gonna try that via voice.
I'll let you know how I get on. - Using c:\windows\winsxs worked for me. I still had my Dell USB Optical mouse plugged in, I went into Device manager --> HID-devices --> Unknown Device and manually installed the drivers. I pointed to c:\windows\winsxs and after the warning about the driver being unsigned, my mouse started working again. I then plugged in my other mouse, The Logitech MX700 and Windows assigned it the same driver without any prompting.
Thanks Drnitro, that tip helped greatly. Do you remember which forum had posted that tip? Was it in reference to this particuliar problem or was it a generic "windows can't find driver" type of thread?
-Chris Chris,
Here is the forum (and thread) where I found the solution:
http://www.eggheadcafe.com/software/aspnet/31997463/vista32-new-driver--us.aspx
Look for: SergeyEgoro 11-Apr-08 10:29:34. Ironicly he states the solution came from MSDN, but he does not reverts to any source. It's great to see this solution is working so well for a lot of people.
-Dr-
Another solution...
I got the mouse back by copying the input.inf file from another Vista system to the broke one, uninstalling the busted HID device, and doing a restore back to pre KB938371, perhaps 4/4 or something. Things came back fine except thinks it needs to do updates again. I deselected the culprit. Question is, how to get past it being a requirement now for sp1. Any ideas on that. Is there maybe a way to fudge and make vista think that the bad by was installed.
- Yes, I was.
I have the same exact problem and pulled my hair enough. I have dell inspiron 530s -dual core and running vista ultimate. All was running fine until i tried installing wireless kensignton keyboard/mouse..something got corrupted..this was acouple of months back..after doing some tricks (start with last known good config), the wirelss combo worked but my original optical usb mouse never worked. Then there was an update (automatic update) some 3 weeks back. which disabled my wireless mouse and now it cannot detect any mouse. I get the same INF and other messages. Dell support tried different things- reinstalling drivers, boot files etc nothing works.I tried installing MS mouse drivers.
Can someone write the few steps that i can try out? Can we update registry entries and reinstall? I am new to vista and with only keyboard it is extremely difficult to try out diff things. Will buying a new MSoft mouse work?
thx.
SanjaySK2006 wrote: I have the same exact problem and pulled my hair enough. I have dell inspiron 530s -dual core and running vista ultimate. All was running fine until i tried installing wireless kensignton keyboard/mouse..something got corrupted..this was acouple of months back..after doing some tricks (start with last known good config), the wirelss combo worked but my original optical usb mouse never worked. Then there was an update (automatic update) some 3 weeks back. which disabled my wireless mouse and now it cannot detect any mouse. I get the same INF and other messages. Dell support tried different things- reinstalling drivers, boot files etc nothing works.I tried installing MS mouse drivers.
Can someone write the few steps that i can try out? Can we update registry entries and reinstall? I am new to vista and with only keyboard it is extremely difficult to try out diff things. Will buying a new MSoft mouse work?
thx.
This is what worked for me.
Before installing the update I went to the mouse and keyboard in Device Manager, and I chose to update the driver but NOT AUTOMATICALLY. I selected to choose the path of the drivers on the computer. I chose the C:\Windows\Winsxs folder. It found the drivers and installed. Then I installed the KB938371 update again. This time the mouse and keyboard worked.
Hope this helps. BTW I also have a dell with Vista Ultimate. If you cant get to before the update, try windwos resotre and it should have made a restore point before the update.I did know about restore points but now I was able to restore it before the update. Earlier the restore was failing too, for any restore point until I uninstalled my Norton antivirus. I have saved that point manually now. So my wireless combo works but as I said my original usb mouse does not work and it had stopped working some 3 months back. I did not know aout restore then. I will probably try your steps to install the dell mouse driver in a few days. First i have to install the NAV. Becuase of this experience, I dont want to try anything new:-)
thanks.
- Im sick of microshite why do we put up with this *** from that *** company and the dumb arse tossers charge us for it, 2 days of trying to sort the mouse problem and just to find it's there *** up yet again, yes we all make mistakes...... and those stupid *** heads dont bother to fix the fuckup, you bunch of stupid mother ********** dumb arse monkeys, you need to retrain you muppets....go ahead delete this i dont give a *** ill just come back and do it all again just to piss you off like you've pissed me off for 2 days wankers!!!!!!!!!!!!
- This is old, but I've just found it during another search to find help in getting rid of hackers I aquired through the stupidity of Microsoft's security blunders. I'm not having a mouse problem, but I read the first few of this thread and skipped to the bottom, which was yours. You may never see this, but just in case, I wanted to tell you I think this sums up the morons perfectly and I couldn't have said it better myself!
