How To Fix Windows XP Driver Error Codes 39 – 44

When using your computer you may have come across ‘Device driver error codes 39-44‘, which occur on the Windows XP operating system. These errors are typically caused by hardware conflicts or driver incompatibility between your operating system and your hardware. The normal resolution for these errors is to fix various driver issues, but there are

What Causes Error Codes 39-44?

Here are a list of the device driver errors 39-44. Each error is similar to one another, which means they can be dealt with in a similar manor:

Error Code 39:

“Windows cannot load the device driver for this hardware. The driver may be corrupted or missing. (Code 39)”

Causes

• A required device driver is missing.
• A required binary file is corrupted.
• There is a problem with the file I/O process
• A driver that is referencing an entry point in another binary file is unable to load.

Resolution

The recommended resolution for this error is to reinstall the driver for this device. Later on we will explain how you can reinstall the device driver.

Error Code 40:

“Windows cannot access this hardware because its service key information in the registry is missing or recorded incorrectly. (Code 40)”

Causes

• There is a problem with one or more of the registry keys.

Resolution

The recommended resolution for this error is to yet again reinstall the driver for this device. Reinstalling the driver will ‘refresh’ the registry keys, so to speak which should allow the device to work properly.

Error Code 41:

“Windows successfully loaded the device driver for this hardware but cannot find the hardware device. (Code 41)”

Causes

• There is a problem with the I/O operation.
• The device is not responding.

Resolution

This error message appears if you install a driver for a non-Plug or Play device, however Windows cannot find the device. If troubleshooting does not resolve the problem then you should try ONE of the following:

• If the device was removed, uninstall the driver, connect the device, and then click Scan for hardware changes to reinstall the driver.
• If the device was not removed, the driver files might be obsolete. In this case, update the driver from Device Manager. In the device Properties dialog box, click the Driver tab, and then click Update Driver to start the Hardware Update Wizard. Follow the instructions to update the driver.
• If the device is a non-Plug and Play device, you may have to install a newer version of the driver. To install non-Plug and Play devices, use the Add Hardware wizard. Click Start, and then click Run. In the Open box, type hdwwiz.cpl.

Error Code 42:

“Windows cannot load the device driver for this hardware because there is a duplicate device already running in the system. (Code 42)”

Causes

• A device with a serial number is discovered in a new location before it is removed from the old location.

Resolution

This error can be resolved by simply restarting your computer. To do this Click Start, click Shut Down, then select Restart in the Shut Down Windows dialog box.

Error Code 43:

“Windows has stopped this device because it has reported problems. (Code 43)”

Causes

• One of the drivers that is controlling the device notified the operating system that the device has failed in some manner.

Resolution

If you have already run the Troubleshooting Wizard then you may want to check the hardware documentation for more information on how to diagnose the problem.

Error Code 44:

“An application or service has shut down this hardware device. (Code 44)”

Resolution

The simplest way to resolve this error is restart your computer. To do this Click Start, click Shut Down, then select Restart in the Shut Down Windows dialog box.

How To Fix Error Codes 39 – 44

Step 1 – Reinstall Device Driver

The main cause of the error codes 39-44 is thanks to various driver issues on your PC. This is a big problem because drivers are essential for your PC to run smoothly with your hardware. If you are receiving any of the errors 39-44, you should look to reinstall the driver with the process below:

• Click Start, select Run, then type sysdm.cpl in the box, then click OK.
• Open the Hardware tab on the System Properties dialog box, then click Device Manager.
• Double-click on the device type to display the devices under it
• Then double-click a device to open its properties dialog box.

• Choose the device that you want to reinstall.
• Click the Uninstall button to remove the current driver.
• NOTE: It is highly recommended that you use a registry cleaner to scan and remove any left behind information to ensure a complete removal of the driver.
• Next, reinstall the driver. In the Device Manager window, right click on the device type of the device that you uninstalled.
• Then select Scan for hardware changes command to launch the Add Hardware wizard and reinstall the driver.

Step 2 – Disconnect And Reconnect Hardware

If you’re  still getting this error from a single piece of hardware, you need to disconnect the hardware from your system and then reconnect it to ensure that it’s in correctly and Windows has the latest drivers for it. This will allow Windows to re-configure the hardware and use a new type of driver for it, allowing you to correct any issues with the device.

Step 3 – Clean Out The Registry

– Download this registry cleaner

The ‘registry’ is a central database that Windows uses to store the information and settings your PC requires to run. Unfortunately, this database is continually causing a huge number of problems for your system, as it’s often saved in the wrong way. This makes your system unable to read the files it requires to run your software & drivers, which can lead to the 39 – 44 error codes being shown. If you’ve tried the steps above, it’s recommended that you use a ‘registry cleaner’ to fix the various registry errors on your PC, which should fix the problem completely.

Step 4 – Use The Troubleshooting Wizard

Using the Troubleshooting Wizard allows you to see what the specific problem inside your computer. If you’re unable to fix the 39 – 44 error codes with the steps above, you should use the steps below to trouble-shoot exactly what’s causing them, so you can better resolve them:

• When the error occurs, open the Device Manager.
• Double-click on your device to open its properties box.
• On the General tab, click Troubleshoot to launch the Troubleshooting Wizard.
• Then follow the instructions in the wizard to diagnose the problem with your device and then resolve it.