Vista RTM does not regenerate a missing or corrupt Infcache.1 in the System32 directory - causing device driver installation errors

This finally explains the reason why one of my desktop Vista machines at home could never properly find device drivers, even though the device drivers were included with the installation CD of Vista! I always had to manually point it to certain directories so that it could do the right thing.

I am sure I am not the only one that has encountered this problem!

Excerpts from the KB article:

SYMPTOMS
When you try to install a new hardware device on a Windows Vista-based computer, Windows Vista cannot install the driver for the hardware device successfully. Additionally, you may sometimes receive the following error message:

Windows encountered a problem installing the driver software for your device. Windows found driver software for your device but encountered an error while attempting to install it.


CAUSE
If the Infcache.1 file is deleted or corrupted, Windows Vista does not recreate the Infcache.1 file.

RESOLUTION
To resolve this problem, install this hotfix. Then, try to install the hardware device again.