Unknown device

[Marv]

I keep getting a Dell message that there is a critical update. When I
look at what the update it is for an "Unknown Device" In my device
manager there is one that is labeled as "Unknown." I don't know what it
is and how can Dell have a patch for a device that it doesn't know what
it is? I have been leary to download the patch. Should I?

Marv

 

[charlie]

I keep getting a Dell message that there is a critical update. When I
look at what the update it is for an "Unknown Device" In my device
manager there is one that is labeled as "Unknown." I don't know what it
is and how can Dell have a patch for a device that it doesn't know what
it is? I have been leary to download the patch. Should I?

Marv

Since you have a Dell, and an "unknown device" it would seem that Dell
is aware of the problem.
A patch might
Make the unknown device just go away.
Allow proper recognition of the unknown device.
Patch BIOS to eliminate the problem.

Actually you should blame Dell for not providing more info concerning
the update.

Perhaps you might explain why you are leery of such an update.
I'd make sure that a restore point exists and is usable, then install
the update. Or, continue to ignore the whole issue.

 

[Yousuf Khan]

I keep getting a Dell message that there is a critical update. When I
look at what the update it is for an "Unknown Device" In my device
manager there is one that is labeled as "Unknown." I don't know what it
is and how can Dell have a patch for a device that it doesn't know what
it is? I have been leary to download the patch. Should I?

As Charlie said, perhaps this patch is being issued specifically for
fixing this unknown device problem?

Anyways, if you're still leary, try a program like this, to see if it
can identify the device before applying the patch.

Unknown Device Identifier - Freeware Download
http://www.zhangduo.com/udi.html

Yousuf Khan

 

[Marv]

As Charlie said, perhaps this patch is being issued specifically for
fixing this unknown device problem?

Anyways, if you're still leary, try a program like this, to see if it
can identify the device before applying the patch.

Unknown Device Identifier - Freeware Download
http://www.zhangduo.com/udi.html

Yousuf Khan

I downloaded the Unknown Device Identifier and ran it. It produced a
list of all devices, drivers and some other assorted items but did not
show any unidentified device. I that did the Dell update and it did not
change the unidentified device as shown in the Device Manager

Oh well. Since it does not seem to be causing any problem I will just
leave it alone. Thanks for the input

 

[Joe Morris]

I downloaded the Unknown Device Identifier and ran it. It produced a
list of all devices, drivers and some other assorted items but did not
show any unidentified device. I that did the Dell update and it did not
change the unidentified device as shown in the Device Manager

Oh well. Since it does not seem to be causing any problem I will just
leave it alone. Thanks for the input

Does the list of available drivers from the Dell site *for your specific
service tag* include any of the ControlPoint driver packages? Even if you
don't think you need it, try installing them if you haven't already done so;
Dell has for some systems buried standard-feature drivers under ControlPoint
even though it's not an obvious place to look for systems that aren't being
actively managed, and installing that kit resolves "unknown device" flags.

Joe Morris