Error code 38: Windows cannot load the device driver for this hardware because a previous instance of the device driver and the flash disk doesn`t work.

Question

Original title: Windows cannot load the device driver for this hardware because a previous instance of the device driver

please help,

after installing windows 8 on my laptop,it works very good

but after while it dosen`t read any flash disk i connected it with my lap.

and it appears this in properties in devices and printers

Windows cannot load the device driver for this hardware because a previous instance of the device driver

is still in memory.(Code 38)  The driver could not be loaded because a previous version of the driver is still in memory.

Answer 1

Hi Khaled_shitos,

Thank you for posting in the Microsoft Community.

Sorry to know that you are facing an issue to use any Flash drives on your system.

Let’s try the following steps and check if it helps.

Method 1:

You may refer to computer manufacturer website and try installing the latest version of Chipset drivers.

If Windows 8 drivers are not available, you may install Windows 7 drivers in Windows 7 compatibility mode and check if it helps:

a. Download the drivers from the manufacturer website.

b. Right-click on the driver and click on ‘properties’.

c. Click on the ‘compatibility’ tab and check the box ‘Run this program in compatibility mode for’ and select Windows 7 operating system from the drop down.

d. Click on ‘Apply’ and click ‘OK’ to install it.

Method 2:

You may try running the Hardware and Device troubleshooter and check windows updates for driver updates.

Step 1:

Follow these steps and check if it helps.

a. Press Windows Key +R, type Control Panel.

b. Typetroubleshootingin the search bar, click on troubleshooting.

c. Click on Hardware and Sound, click on Hardware and Devices.

d. Follow the steps from the wizard to run the troubleshooter.

Step 2:

After running the troubleshooter, check in Windows updates if any drivers’ updates are available for the device. If so, install the same and check if it helps.

a. At the Start screen, type Windows Update.

b. Click or tap Settings on the right side of the screen, and then select Install optional updates from the left results.

c. When the Windows Update control panel opens, click on “Check for Updates” on the top left corner to receive a fresh list of updates.

For further information, refer the article:

What if a device isn't installed properly?

If you need further assistance, please reply and we will be happy to help you.

it says i have the latest drivers

how do i get that bleeping old code out of memory

how does it stay in memory after a POR ?

Answer 2

I had the same problem i tried the solutions here none of them worked . Since drivers are in the windows system folder

I did a system restore and that fixed the problem.

Answer 3

thanks for assistance.

Answer 4

Hi Prakhar,

Thank you for the updates.

In order to check and update the BIOS, you need to get in touch with HP support.

HP Support

Let us know if you need further assistance with Windows related issues. We will be happy to help.

Answer 5

my laptop model is HP PAVILION G6 2312AX.