Hardware Diagnostic Tools was unable to complete system hardware detection

[Hawguser]

I have a pc with PC-Doctor 5 preloaded. It worked fine for a couple of years but no longer. When I try and start it I get the message "Hardware Diagnostic Tools was unable to complete system hardware detection." I have deleted the software and reloaded it with software but get same message. I am running Vista. What is wrong?

[fwilson]

Hawguser,

What is the make and model of your computer?

Sounds like a file is missing or corrupt. You should be able to download a fresh copy from the manufacturers website.  When you reinstall it the installer will remove the old program then install new.  This should fix you up.

-Fred

[Hawguser]

I have a Compaq Presario SR5518F. I did use the recovery function on my computer to delete and reload the software. I have at your suggestion, went to the Compaq web site and downloaded new drivers. I have now opened it and, although I get a message that it cannot read a drive, it runs fine. The drive I am having trouble connecting with is a Maxtor backup unit. I am not sure if this is a driver issue or not.

[fwilson]

Hawguser,

It depends how this drive is connected and presents itself to the system. 
How is this drive connected to the system? I.e. external USB, Internal SATA etc.

It sounds like it may infact be a driver issue.

-Fred

[Hawguser]

External USB
It appears that the driver that is not working is
c:\windows\system32\drivers\usbstor.sys

[fwilson]

Hawguser,

That would do it.

-Fred

[Hawguser]

I have tried to find driver updates through Microsoft and Maxtor to no avail. I did find the Maxtor Diagnostics program, ran it, and it says all is alright. My concern is why won't the Windows diagnostics work and could this lead to unpleasant results if my computers hard drive crashes in the future, in terms of the error messages I am getting.

[fwilson]

Hawguser,

You will probably have to uninstall and reinstall the USB device that controlls the external drive.  There are disertations available on how to do this on Google.

-Fred

[fwilson]

Hawguser,

Just to be clear. 

You are saying the drive is not visible to windows i.e when you plug it in it is not assigned a drive letter and you can not copy files to it manually?

-Fred