Windows XP - Cannot Run Two Device Installations

In Windows XP, when you try to connect a device - or use Add/Remove Hardware you recieve the following message 'Cannot run two device installations':

even though you have not connected any hardware.  To resolve this issue:

Fix 1 - Incomplete Unattended installation:

1. Launch Regedit.exe.

2. Navigate to 'HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\Setup'

3. If there is any key or values named "FactoryPreInstallInProgress", please right click and delete it.

4. Repeat the above steps to delete 'HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Factory'

5. Restart the computer.

Once restarted you should be able to connect new hardware, if not, try fix 2.

Fix 2 - Ghosted Hardware:

This can happen when hardware has not been cleanly removed by the operating system.  It can therefore still think the hardware is installed:

1. Start the computer in Safe Mode.

2. Goto Control Panel and launch System Properties.

3. In System Properties dialog, click the Hardware tab.

4. In Device Manager, write down the devices that are listed under 'Network Adapters and Modems'.

5. Restart the computer and go into the Operating System normally.

6. Again, goto Device Manager and write down the devices listed in 'Network Adapters and Modems'.

7. Compare the two lists, if you have extra devices in Safe Mode, you have ghosted driver installations.

Ghosted Hardware Removal Attempt 1:

1. Restart the computer in Safe Mode.

2. Launch Device Manager and uninstall the roque hardware devices under 'Network Adapters and Modems'.

3. Restart the computer and go into the Operating System normally.

4. Try adding your new hardware again, if you still receieve the 'Cannot run two device installations' dialog again, process to Ghosted Hardware Removel Attempt 2.

Ghosted Hardware Removal Attempt 2:

1. Restart the computer in Safe Mode.

2. Launch Device Manager, and select 'Properties' on the Ghosted Network device.

3. Write down the driver files associated with the device.

4. Restart the computer in Safe Mode - Command Prompt Only.

5. Rename the drivers associated with the device.

6. Restart the computer normally and you should be able to add your new device.