In this context we refer to new hardware as peripheral devices which connect externally to your computer such as cameras, printers, scanners, webcams, network adapters, video adapters, and other devices. Primarily users should use the OEM’s (original equipment manufacturer) installation media and instructions to install their devices. A second option is to use the Add Hardware Wizard included with Windows XP. The Add Hardware Wizard allows you to detect and configure hardware devices connected to your computer. This tool also comes in handy when you need to uninstall and re-install a device without rebooting the computer.

To access the Add Hardware Wizard, open the Control Panel and select the Add Hardware icon.

 

Then, you will see this window.

 

 

This is the first window of the Add Hardware Wizard. It displays helpful information regarding the Add Hardware Wizard process and an additional warning regarding OEM installation CDs.

The next window is only shown briefly while it scans your computer for hardware connected to your computer.

 

 

 

The next window asks you if you have connected the hardware to the computer. The two available options are:

• Yes, I have already connected the hardware: Will take you to another window in which you will have to select your hardware from a list.

• No, I have not added the hardware yet: Selecting this option and clicking the Next button will prompt you to connect the hardware.

 

 

 

By selecting, “Yes, I have already connected the hardware,” to the previous window you will be taken to an Installed hardware list. Here you have the option to select an already installed device from the list to troubleshoot, or add a new hardware device through the last selection of the list.

 

 

Let’s select the option Add a new hardware device from the bottom of the list and continue on.

 

 

The next window provides you with the following options: 

• Search for and install the hardware automatically (Recommended): Will search for newly installed hardware. (If no hardware is found you are taken to the same screen as the next option.)
• Install the hardware that I manually select from a list (Advanced): displays a list of common hardware types for you to choose from.

 

If you choose the second option, the following window is what you should see.

 

 

This section of the Add Hardware Wizard allows you to select any common hardware type. (This is different from previous windows where you could only select the hardware devices already installed in your computer.) Select from the list of hardware and click the Next button to continue.

 

 

The next window allows you to select the manufacturer and model of your hardware device. When you are done selecting your hardware device, click the Next button. An additional Have Disk button is available if you have additional media for your hardware.

In the prior screen we selected an Imaging device. Notice that the window has changed from an Add Hardware Wizard window to a Scanner and Camera Installation Wizard window. This is because we because we had chosen an Imaging Device in the prior screen. Depending on the hardware device type you selected, the following screen may change.

After selecting your hardware device, click the Next button to finish the remaining steps of the wizard.