Each hardware device listed in Device Manager must be enabled to be used.
If the device displays in Device Manger it means that Windows Vista recognizes that the hardware exists in your computer. However, if it's not enabled, Windows can't assign system resources to it and thus won't be able to use it.
Windows Vista will alert you about hardware that is not enabled by showing a black arrow in Device Manager next to the disabled hardware. Disabled devices will also generate a Code 22 error in Device Manager.
Follow these easy steps to enable a device from within Device Manager in Windows Vista:
Open Device Manager from the Windows Vista Computer Management utility.
Note: There are several other ways of opening Device Manager in addition to the one above. It's the exact same Device Manager no matter how you get to it but you may find it easier to access it using one of these other methods.
With Device Manager open, locate the hardware device you want to enable.
Note: Navigate through the categories of hardware devices by clicking the [+] icon. Specific pieces of hardware are listed under the major hardware categories.
After finding the hardware you're looking for, right click on the hardware's name or icon and choose Properties.
In this Properties window, click the Driver tab.
Click the Enable button, located near the bottom of the window.
Click OK.
This piece of hardware should now be enabled.
You should now be returned to the main Device Manager window and the black arrow should be gone.
If a yellow exclamation point appears after the black arrow disappears, you should troubleshoot that issue separately. The yellow exclamation point is a warning of a different kind of issue with your hardware's configuration.
Note: You can verify that the hardware should be working properly by checking the device status in Device Manager.
Not a Windows Vista user? See How to Enable a Device in Device Manager in Windows for links to steps specific for your operating system.
