I'm running a HP custom built machine with 667 PIII, 384 Mgs of RAM, and Windows XP (RC2 trial). I also have a CD-RW drive and a DVD-drive. A few days ago I decided to buy a new sound card. I got a Muse XL and brought it home and took my old card out. I was discouraged to find that my old sound card had more input plugs for the internal part of the hardware (cd-in, modem-in, etc.). There were four internal audio cables that varied from the regular cd-audio cables to ones I had never seen before. So I took the new sound card, installed the two cables that I knew were from the CD-RW and DVD drives and rebooted the computer. At this point my DVD and CDRW stopped working. In the Windows-XP device manager it says that it has succesfully loaded the device drivers but It can't locate the device. EXACT MESSAGE "Windows successfully loaded the device driver for this hardware but cannot find the hardware device. (Code 41)" So I took my old sound card, (I had labled the internal audio cords before I took it out) and I put the original configuration exactly as it was. However, I still recieve the same message. I also tried removing the device from the device manager. When I rebooted, windows located the devices, installed the drivers, and gave me the same error message. I also thought that I might have unplugged something else while I was working inside the box. But after rigorous checking and rechecking I have determined that everything is exactly as it was before I started (at least I think). I also checked the BIOS to see if the new sound card had made any changes to it and it had not. Is this a problem with the two drives (CDRW and DVD) or is this a problem with Windows XP? What can I do to fix this?

Before physically removing any hardware, remove it "electronically" through Device Manager. In your case I'd put the original card back in, boot up, go to device manager, right click the device and choose remove. Shut down remove the card reboot without a sound card. Shut down again, install the new card and everything should be OK.

The same thing happened to me when i tried to put some more memory into my xp hp pavillion. I have been back and forth with the hp support people and they have no idea. If i remove the memory, then uninstall my drivers, then reboot, will i get my cdr and dvd drives back?? Also, why is this happening? i only added memory!

Ref: hp pavilion zt 1170 w/xp... I wanted to install a Belkin serial adapter to my Intracom termination/modem device that services my ISDN line... Followed the wizard,, noted the MS message about this device might not be compatable with the MS system.. and proceeded... Ending up with the Code 41 message "Windows siccessfully loaded the device for this hardware but cannot find the ahrdware dveice." Now.. tried to uninstalll but procedure was refused due to a program(3COM - dsktmgr.exe) that was "running".. So... Any suggestions out there.. since I am not a computer friendly person... just the basics.

Ok i have the exact same problem, exactly. I dont know what this error comes from but im pretty sure that if microsoft doesnt fix it im gonna start raising hell! This is absurd. I cant use my cdrw drive and my normal cd rom drive now! If anyone knows how to fix this please email me or post here immediatley, the box that this has occured in is very important for the college. Thanx.