Microsoft provided Windows XP with several high-profile
tools for troubleshooting potential problems with drivers, namely File
Signature Verification and Device Manager. However, Windows XP also includes
the tool called the Driver Verifier Manager, which is mainly designed for
developers but it can provide you with useful information during a
troubleshooting operation.

Here’s how to use it to troubleshoot a driver problem:

  1. Access
    the Run dialog box by pressing the [Windows]-R keyboard shortcut.
  2. In the Open text box, type the
    command Verifier.
  3. On the
    Select A Task page, leave the default Create
    Standard Settings as-is.
  4. On the
    next page, choose the Select Driver Name From A
    List.
  5. Select
    the check boxes next to the driver files that you want to verify.
  6. Click
    Finish and then reboot the system.

If the driver(s) that you selected are causing a problem,
the system will halt and display a BSOD (Blue Screen Of
Death) along with an error message. If the selected drivers aren’t the cause of
the problem, the system will start up normally.

Keep in mind that once you enable the Driver Verifier
Manager it stays active until you disable it. To do so, follow these steps:

  1. Access
    the Run dialog box by pressing the [Windows]-R keyboard shortcut.
  2. In the Open text box, type the
    command Verifier /reset.

Note: For more
detailed information about using the Driver Verifier Manager, read the
Knowledge Base article Q244617.

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