Quote:
this may be a stupid question, but how do i get to the device manager? (i'm running xp)


Pick one:

Right-click 'My Computer', select Properties, choose the Hardware tab, and then press the Device Manager button.

Or you can right-click my computer, select 'Manage', and it's immediately visible in the left-hand tree.

These are both also available through Control Panel, in Classic view. The first is under 'System'. The second is available under Administrative Tools -> Computer Management.

In Category view, the first place is under Performance and Maintenance -> System. I don't know where the second maps to.

If you've got the new (as opposed to 'Classic') start menu layout, then you can right-click 'My Computer' in here, to get to the 'Properties' and 'Manage' items, even if it's not on your desktop.
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-- roger