error 'this device cannot start' (error 10)

[milomorai]

after doing a repair install on xp home, i get this error when i go to properties for my nic. I have uninstalled/reinstalled the device several times, loaded the latest drivers and it is still not seen by xp networking. even tried different nic's with the same results. also loaded the latest mobo drivers with same result as well as most patches and updates including sp1.

[asklepios]

this error usually occurs when the device drivers are corrupted but since you have already re-installed the drivers, that thing is out of question.
did you try deleting the device and restarting? this will make WinXP to detect it at boot up and install drivers for it.

also do you have the updates for WinXP installed? it was a known issue with 2000 server edition but was solved with an update. try updating if you have not done till now.