How to remove 5 in 1 card reader from boot-up?

Question

Bob_180_Bob 41 Posting Virtuoso

18 Years Ago

I have a 5 in 1 card reader where a 3.5 floppy would normally be on my Acer PC. When I check “My Computer” it shows the 5 individual readers as removable drives.
Can I set-up my PC so that it will not load the readers, and then load them if a card is inserted or they can be turned on manually if required, without actually removing the readers connection from the PC. It is only a minor irritation but it is an irritation especially if using a USB external drive as well.

Microsoft Windows XP
Professional
Version 2002
Service Pack 3
Computer
Celeron ® D CPU 3.48GHz
3.47GHz, 1.25 GB RAM
Physical address extension.
ST340014A 40Gig HD
HL-DT-ST DWD-RW_GSA-H41N DVD/CD ROM

hardware-purchase microsoft:windows-nt-2000-xp

3 Contributors
13 Replies
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3 Days Discussion Span
Latest Post 18 Years Ago Latest Post by Bob_180_Bob

Dani AI

Generated 9 Months Ago

Three practical ways to stop an internal 5‑in‑1 card reader from showing up at startup (without physically removing it), with safe steps and cautions tied to the replies already here.

Narrow-disable the exact reader device (safer than uninstalling everything). As suggested, identify the reader node first: open Device Manager, change View → Devices by connection, expand the USB host/hub entries and the Disk Drives/USB Mass Storage branches, and confirm the device by checking Properties → Details → Hardware Ids. Disable only that child node so other USB storage (your external drive) keeps working. Back up the device name before changing anything. (learn.microsoft.com)
Use an XP hardware profile if you want the reader off at boot unless you pick a different profile. Create a second profile (System Properties → Hardware → Hardware Profiles → Copy/Name), then edit the card‑reader device in Device Manager and set it not to be used in that profile. On boot select the profile that matches whether you need the reader. This avoids repeatedly disabling/re-enabling while letting the system skip the device at startup. (flylib.com)
Hide the drive letters so the reader’s empty slots don’t clutter My Computer. For a UI-only approach (icons hidden but device still usable), use Group Policy (User Configuration → Administrative Templates → Windows Components → Windows Explorer → Hide these specified drives) or create the NoDrives registry value under:
```
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer
```
set the appropriate bitmask for the drive letter(s) you want hidden (e.g., decimal 16 hides E:). This removes icons but does not disable the hardware. (learn.microsoft.com)

Advanced automation and warnings: if you want a one‑click/scripted toggle, Microsoft’s DevCon (or modern pnputil equivalents) can disable/enable a device by hardware ID from a script — useful if you’ll be switching frequently. Don’t disable the USB mass‑storage driver or a USB root hub unless you intend to block ALL USB drives (that will also stop your external drive), and always create a restore point before editing the registry or device settings. (learn.microsoft.com)

Summary: for the least impact, either (A) hide the drive letters with NoDrives/GP, or (B) identify the exact reader node and disable only that device (manually or via a hardware profile).

All 13 Replies

OlyComputers 110 Practically a Master Poster

18 Years Ago

I don't think there's a way to disable it aside from manually going in and uninstalling the devices when you don't want it.

I don't know what your settings are, but if you set your "my computer" to arrange by type it's less of an annoyance because the removable drives have their own section

hughv 104 Veteran Poster

18 Years Ago

In device manager, rt-click, select "Disable".
Rt-click "Enable" to activate.
I haven't done it, but I think you can also set up a Hardware Profile to accomplish this.

OlyComputers 110 Practically a Master Poster

18 Years Ago

hardware profiles are loaded at start-up so you'd need to know if you were going to be using the reader or not when you turned on the computer Right-click disable is per drive so you'd have to do it on all three and then scan go to the hardware manager and reenable to turn it back on. but would give the desired effect.

hughv 104 Veteran Poster

18 Years Ago

You probably use only one of these devices, so, figure out which is which, then you'll only need to enable one device.

Bob_180_Bob commented: Well done +1

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Bob_180_Bob 41 Posting Virtuoso · Answer 1 · 2008-06-23T11:47:26+00:00

You probably use only one of these devices, so, figure out which is which, then you'll only need to enable one device.

Well done, the next to perfect solution.

Thank you, take a bow.

Bob

hughv 104 Veteran Poster · Answer 2 · 2008-06-23T11:59:28+00:00

hughv 104 Veteran Poster

18 Years Ago

I am now bowing.

Bob_180_Bob 41 Posting Virtuoso · Answer 3 · 2008-06-23T15:13:57+00:00

Now, what about my other problem of partly hanging on re-boot, not as easy???

Bob

hughv 104 Veteran Poster · Answer 4 · 2008-06-23T16:06:34+00:00

What does "partly hanging" mean?
If you enable boot logging, you can review the log for clues.

Bob_180_Bob 41 Posting Virtuoso · Answer 5 · 2008-06-23T16:25:09+00:00

http://www.daniweb.com/forums/thread130457.html

How do I do that??

hughv 104 Veteran Poster · Answer 6 · 2008-06-24T12:02:43+00:00

http://www.windowsreference.com/general/how-to-create-a-bootlog-in-windows-2000xp-and-later/

Bob_180_Bob 41 Posting Virtuoso · Answer 7 · 2008-06-24T13:18:10+00:00

Hope this helps as I have no idea what it means other than some drivers did not load.

Service Pack 2 6 24 2008 15:08:11.500
Loaded driver \WINDOWS\system32\ntkrnlpa.exe
Loaded driver \WINDOWS\system32\hal.dll
Loaded driver \WINDOWS\system32\KDCOM.DLL
Loaded driver \WINDOWS\system32\BOOTVID.dll
Loaded driver ACPI.sys
Loaded driver \WINDOWS\system32\DRIVERS\WMILIB.SYS
Loaded driver pci.sys
Loaded driver isapnp.sys
Loaded driver pciide.sys
Loaded driver \WINDOWS\system32\DRIVERS\PCIIDEX.SYS
Loaded driver MountMgr.sys
Loaded driver ftdisk.sys
Loaded driver dmload.sys
Loaded driver dmio.sys
Loaded driver PartMgr.sys
Loaded driver VolSnap.sys
Loaded driver atapi.sys
Loaded driver disk.sys
Loaded driver \WINDOWS\System32\DRIVERS\CLASSPNP.SYS
Loaded driver fltmgr.sys
Loaded driver sr.sys
Loaded driver KSecDD.sys
Loaded driver Ntfs.sys
Loaded driver NDIS.sys
Loaded driver SISAGPX.sys
Loaded driver Mup.sys
Loaded driver \SystemRoot\system32\DRIVERS\intelppm.sys
Loaded driver \SystemRoot\System32\DRIVERS\sisgrp.sys
Loaded driver \SystemRoot\system32\DRIVERS\imapi.sys
Loaded driver \SystemRoot\System32\DRIVERS\cdrom.sys
Loaded driver \SystemRoot\System32\DRIVERS\redbook.sys
Loaded driver \SystemRoot\system32\drivers\GEARAspiWDM.sys
Loaded driver \SystemRoot\system32\DRIVERS\usbohci.sys
Loaded driver \SystemRoot\system32\DRIVERS\usbehci.sys
Loaded driver \SystemRoot\System32\DRIVERS\SiSGbeXP.sys
Loaded driver \SystemRoot\system32\DRIVERS\HDAudBus.sys
Loaded driver \SystemRoot\system32\DRIVERS\fdc.sys
Loaded driver \SystemRoot\system32\DRIVERS\serial.sys
Loaded driver \SystemRoot\system32\DRIVERS\serenum.sys
Loaded driver \SystemRoot\System32\DRIVERS\parport.sys
Loaded driver \SystemRoot\System32\DRIVERS\i8042prt.sys
Loaded driver \SystemRoot\System32\DRIVERS\mouclass.sys
Loaded driver \SystemRoot\System32\DRIVERS\audstub.sys
Loaded driver \SystemRoot\System32\DRIVERS\rasl2tp.sys
Loaded driver \SystemRoot\System32\DRIVERS\ndistapi.sys
Loaded driver \SystemRoot\System32\DRIVERS\ndiswan.sys
Loaded driver \SystemRoot\System32\DRIVERS\raspppoe.sys
Loaded driver \SystemRoot\System32\DRIVERS\raspptp.sys
Loaded driver \SystemRoot\System32\DRIVERS\msgpc.sys
Loaded driver \SystemRoot\System32\DRIVERS\psched.sys
Loaded driver \SystemRoot\System32\DRIVERS\ptilink.sys
Loaded driver \SystemRoot\System32\DRIVERS\raspti.sys
Loaded driver \SystemRoot\System32\DRIVERS\rdpdr.sys
Loaded driver \SystemRoot\System32\DRIVERS\termdd.sys
Loaded driver \SystemRoot\System32\DRIVERS\kbdclass.sys
Loaded driver \SystemRoot\System32\DRIVERS\swenum.sys
Loaded driver \SystemRoot\System32\DRIVERS\update.sys
Loaded driver \SystemRoot\system32\DRIVERS\mssmbios.sys
Loaded driver \SystemRoot\System32\Drivers\NDProxy.SYS
Did not load driver \SystemRoot\System32\Drivers\NDProxy.SYS
Loaded driver \SystemRoot\system32\DRIVERS\usbhub.sys
Loaded driver \SystemRoot\system32\drivers\RtkHDAud.sys
Did not load driver \SystemRoot\System32\Drivers\lbrtfdc.SYS
Did not load driver \SystemRoot\System32\Drivers\Flpydisk.SYS
Did not load driver \SystemRoot\System32\Drivers\Sfloppy.SYS
Did not load driver \SystemRoot\System32\Drivers\i2omgmt.SYS
Did not load driver \SystemRoot\System32\Drivers\Changer.SYS
Did not load driver \SystemRoot\System32\Drivers\Cdaudio.SYS
Loaded driver \SystemRoot\System32\Drivers\Fs_Rec.SYS
Loaded driver \SystemRoot\System32\Drivers\Null.SYS
Loaded driver \SystemRoot\System32\Drivers\Beep.SYS
Did not load driver \SystemRoot\System32\DRIVERS\kbdhid.sys
Loaded driver \SystemRoot\System32\drivers\vga.sys
Loaded driver \SystemRoot\System32\Drivers\mnmdd.SYS
Loaded driver \SystemRoot\System32\DRIVERS\RDPCDD.sys
Loaded driver \SystemRoot\System32\Drivers\Msfs.SYS
Loaded driver \SystemRoot\System32\Drivers\Npfs.SYS
Loaded driver \SystemRoot\System32\DRIVERS\rasacd.sys
Loaded driver \SystemRoot\System32\DRIVERS\ipsec.sys
Loaded driver \SystemRoot\System32\DRIVERS\tcpip.sys
Loaded driver \SystemRoot\System32\DRIVERS\netbt.sys
Loaded driver \SystemRoot\System32\drivers\afd.sys
Loaded driver \SystemRoot\System32\DRIVERS\netbios.sys
Did not load driver \SystemRoot\System32\DRIVERS\processr.sys
Did not load driver \SystemRoot\System32\Drivers\PCIDump.SYS
Loaded driver \SystemRoot\System32\DRIVERS\srvkp.sys
Loaded driver \SystemRoot\System32\DRIVERS\rdbss.sys
Loaded driver \SystemRoot\System32\DRIVERS\mrxsmb.sys
Loaded driver \SystemRoot\system32\DRIVERS\ipnat.sys
Loaded driver \SystemRoot\System32\DRIVERS\wanarp.sys
Loaded driver \SystemRoot\System32\Drivers\Fips.SYS
Loaded driver \SystemRoot\System32\Drivers\avgmfx86.sys
Loaded driver \SystemRoot\System32\Drivers\avgldx86.sys
Loaded driver \SystemRoot\system32\DRIVERS\usbccgp.sys
Loaded driver \SystemRoot\system32\DRIVERS\usbprint.sys
Loaded driver \SystemRoot\system32\DRIVERS\USBSTOR.SYS
Loaded driver \SystemRoot\system32\DRIVERS\hidusb.sys
Loaded driver \SystemRoot\System32\Drivers\usbVM303.sys
Loaded driver \SystemRoot\system32\drivers\vmfilter303.sys
Loaded driver \SystemRoot\System32\DRIVERS\kbdhid.sys
Loaded driver \SystemRoot\System32\Drivers\Cdfs.SYS
Loaded driver \SystemRoot\System32\DRIVERS\ndisuio.sys
Did not load driver \SystemRoot\System32\DRIVERS\rdbss.sys
Did not load driver \SystemRoot\System32\DRIVERS\mrxsmb.sys
Loaded driver \SystemRoot\system32\drivers\wdmaud.sys
Loaded driver \SystemRoot\system32\drivers\sysaudio.sys
Loaded driver \SystemRoot\system32\drivers\splitter.sys
Loaded driver \SystemRoot\system32\drivers\aec.sys
Loaded driver \SystemRoot\system32\drivers\swmidi.sys
Loaded driver \SystemRoot\system32\drivers\DMusic.sys
Loaded driver \SystemRoot\system32\drivers\kmixer.sys
Loaded driver \SystemRoot\system32\drivers\drmkaud.sys
Loaded driver \SystemRoot\System32\DRIVERS\mrxdav.sys
Loaded driver \SystemRoot\System32\Drivers\ParVdm.SYS
Loaded driver \SystemRoot\System32\Drivers\avgtdix.sys
Loaded driver \SystemRoot\System32\DRIVERS\srv.sys
Did not load driver \SystemRoot\system32\DRIVERS\ipnat.sys
Loaded driver \SystemRoot\System32\Drivers\HTTP.sys
Loaded driver \SystemRoot\system32\drivers\kmixer.sys
Loaded driver \SystemRoot\system32\drivers\kmixer.sys
Loaded driver \SystemRoot\system32\drivers\kmixer.sys

hughv 104 Veteran Poster · Answer 8 · 2008-06-24T14:05:30+00:00

This might be a memory problem.
Download and rum Memtest 86
http://www.memtest.org/

Bob_180_Bob 41 Posting Virtuoso · Answer 9 · 2008-06-24T16:07:48+00:00

I went to that site and was lost straight away, what do I download, is it a boot disk? how do I use it? Sorry I have very little understanding of these things.
Thank you for your help so far!
Bob

How to remove 5 in 1 card reader from boot-up?

Dani AI

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