Windows XP Control Panel

System Settings

Hardware Tab: The name of this tab pretty much gives it away. Various aspects of your computer hardware are controlled here. The first option is an Add-Hardware Wizard which is activated by clicking it's button and following the on screen instructions.

The next section, Device Manager is rather important to the smooth operation of your computer. From here you can manage your pieces of hardware and their drivers. (Down).

 

The first button, Device Signing opens the Device Signing Options panel.

 The system is set to scan new or existing hardware for compatibility. From here you may deactivate (ignore) this feature, show only a small warning prompt or block all drivers that are unsigned and incompatible.

 

The next button is Device Manager. Which when clicked opens a list of drives, devices and resources.

This list can be expanded by clicking the + next to any item. When an item is expanded, all associated devices and drivers will display below. From here you can double click on a device or driver and view it's general information, properties and drivers. You may also troubleshoot a device that may not be functioning correctly.

 

The final option on the Hardware tab is Hardware Profiles. A hardware profile allows a user to setup and store different hardware configurations.

These are especially useful to mobile computing. Different profiles can be selected when windows boots or by default.

 

 
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