9

This question is related to this one. Also, I think it's not duplicate of this question, since I'm not asking about specific device but a more general case.

Where can I find information about driver .inf files and how windows checks if they are usable? I know that many people do modify .inf files so there must be some information on the Internet.

Basically I have a bad .inf file and would like to see what's wrong with it and how to fix it if possible.

Community
  • 1
AndrejaKo
  • 17,143
  • 22
  • 85
  • 129

3 Answers3

10

In order for the "Right Click/Install" method to work, there must be a [DefaultInstall] section in the INF file and, potentially some other "Default" sections:

[DefaultInstall.Service] 
[DefaultUninstall]
[DefaultUninstall.Service]

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/hardware/ff547465(v=vs.85).aspx

If there is no [DefaultInstall] section, you get the message “The INF file you selected does not support this method of installation.”

greatwolf
  • 2,128
MrTheV
  • 101
3

You might try to select the inf file from Device Manager:

Right-click the device, select Update Driver Software, then Let me pick, click Have disk, Browse to the inf file and install.

If this doesn't work, I don't believe you can fix the inf file. The product you have probably doesn't match your operating system (it might be 32-bit when your Windows 7 is 64-bit).

You can also give more information, such as posting the inf file (actually the entire product, if possible).

harrymc
  • 498,455
3

INF files format reference: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms764958(v=VS.85).aspx

It would help to read the Creating Setup Applications (http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa376920(v=VS.85).aspx) page to learn the sequence followed, so you can step through the INF manually. I suppose a programmer could attach a debugger to setup and figure out what its failing on.

Robert Kerr
  • 785