Error Code 31

Question

This device is not working properly because Windows cannot load the drivers required for this device. (Code 31)

I delete the affected drivers because when simply updating the driver, Win 7 always tells me that the best driver has already installed.

I then restart and everything is reistalled. All dandy then but 2 days later the same happens.  Did this for about 2 months now and the cycle repeats itself.

How do I fix this?????? It is real a pain in the ****!!!

Answer 1

Hi,

What device?

If an ISATAP or 6to4 then you can ignore the error - here is the Vista info and Windows 7 is the same.

Control Panel - Device Manager - Right Click on both - UNINSTALL  - REBOOT

Nothing else to do, Windows will do the rest. And you can ignore the errors altogether if you wish and

on some computers it will always be there but cause no problems.

On a Windows Vista-based computer or on a Windows Server 2008-based computer, the Microsoft

ISATAP adapter appears with a yellow exclamation mark next to it in Device Manager, and you also

receive an error message

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/932520

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If not one of the above try manually updating the driver - references to Vista also apply to Windows 7.

This is my generic how to for proper driver updates :

This utility makes it easy to see which versions are loaded :

DriverView - Free - utility displays the list of all device drivers currently loaded on your system.

For each driver in the list, additional useful information is displayed: load address of the driver,

description, version, product name, company that created the driver, and more.

http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/driverview.html

For Drivers check System Maker as fallbacks and Device Maker's which are the most current.

Control Panel - Device Manager - Display Adapter - write down the make and complete model

of your video adapter - double click - Driver's tab - write down the version info. Now click UPdate

Driver (this may not do anything as MS is far behind certifying drivers) - then Right Click -

Uninstall - REBOOT this will refresh the driver stack.

Repeat that for Network - Network Card (NIC), Wifi, Sound, Mouse and Keyboard if 3rd party

with their own software and drivers and any other major device drivers you have.

Now go to System Maker's site (Dell, HP, Toshiba as examples) (as rollback) and then Device

Maker's site (Realtek, Intel, Nvidia, ATI as examples) and get their latest versions. (Look for

BIOS, Chipset and software updates at System Maker's site while there.)

Download - SAVE - go to where you put them - Right Click - RUN AD ADMIN - REBOOT after each

installation.

Always check in Device Manager - Drivers tab to be sure the version you are installing actually

shows up. This is because some drivers rollback before the latest is installed (sound drivers

particularly do this) so install a driver - reboot - check to be sure it is installed and repeat as

needed.

Repeat at Device Makers - BTW at Device Makers DO NOT RUN THEIR SCANNER - check manually

by model.

Manually look at manufacturer's sites for drivers - and Device Maker's sites.

http://pcsupport.about.com/od/driverssupport/ht/driverdlmfgr.htm

How to Install a Device Driver in Vista Device Manager

http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/193584-device-manager-install-driver.html

If you update drivers manually then it is a good idea to disable Driver Installations in Windows

Updates, this leaves Windows Updates ON however it will not install drivers which will usually be

older and cause issues. If Updates suggests a new driver then HIDE it (Right Click on it) and then

go look for new ones manually if you wish.

How To Disable Automatic Driver Installation In Windows Vista - Drivers

http://www.addictivetips.com/windows-tips/how-to-disable-automatic-driver-installation-in-windows-vista/

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc730606(WS.10).aspx

Hope these help.

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Rob - Bicycle - Mark Twain said it right.