Code 12: This device cannot find enough free resources that it can use

Published: August 31, 2007

Updated: August 3, 2011

Applies To: Windows Server 2008, Windows Vista

Device Manager displays the following message in the Device Properties dialog box, on the General tab, in the Device Status text box:

This device cannot find enough free resources that it can use. If you want to use this device, you will need to disable one of the other devices on this system. (Code 12)

Diagnosis

Two devices have been assigned the same input/output (I/O) ports, the same interrupt, or the same Direct Memory Access channel. The assignment was made by either the basic input/output system (BIOS), the operating system, or a combination of the two.

Resolution

The resolution for this issue can be very hardware specific. For detailed information, try searching for “code 12” and your hardware type, name, or model number on the Microsoft support site (http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=538). For example, for code 12 issues with a CS4281 card, search for “code 12” CS4281.

Additional information

To run a diagnostic and repair tool, Hardware devices are not working or are not detected in Windows, go to the Microsoft Fix it Center.

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Community Content

slido
What to do in this case? Error 12
I have win 7 X 64 with 8 GB Ram and get Error 12 when using an additional graphics card via PCIExpress. The most funny thing is , if I downgrade my RAM to 2 GB the Graphics card works . (Additional : ATI RADEON 5800) , Builtin : NVIDIA Geforce 9600M . <br />I use Hardware extension box in my notebook, tried also clean install of windows, and the BIOS is up to date .<br />What can I do ? <br />Same Problem also when using Win 7 32 Bit . It only works when RAM is less than 4 GB but this cannot be the solution
Tags : error win 7 12

Bcodom
Solution: Upgrade/Flash BIOS
We had a similar issue when we installed an Nvidia GeForce 8400 video cards into two Dell OptiPlex GX520 desktops. Both have Windows 7 Enterprise 32-bit, and were experiencing the same Code 12 "This device cannot find enough free resources that it can use" issue.<br /><br />After doing some further research, we found out that the BIOS version on both of these machines were not up-to-date. We then proceeded to install the latest BIOS onto both of these machines, and the error no longer came up and the video cards started to work.<br /><br />So, keep that in mind if you run into this.<br />
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Paolgreek
Solution - This device cannot find enough free resources that it can use. (Code 12)
1. Go to Start Menu-All Programs-Accessories,then right-click Command Prompt and select Run As Administrator<br />2. Enter: bcdedit /set CONFIGACCESSPOLICY DISALLOWMMCONFIG<br />3. Restart your PC
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Ratmeat
Same issue
Having this same problem with my only video card brand new gforce 8400gs. <br /><br />This system has been tested with XP now and works fine. Looks to be a windows 7 problem.<br /><br />Well, What's the answer
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paulster951
Same problem following clean win7 install
Hi, I have this same code 12 issue with my PCI-e soundcard. It's a Creative Audio X-Fi card and always worked 100% under XP. Following a format and clean install of win7 64 bit the code 12 issue appeared exactly as described above. I'm running a decent speed system with a win7 score of 5.4. I've flashed the motherboard bios to the latest version and still the problem persists, Microsoft need to take this seriously and find a fix - how can an OS upgrade effectively disable an expansion slot? Only other cards installed are an nvidia graphics card and a USB card, both in standard PCI slots and both functioning fine.<br />

Bossanovawitya
@CA229
Hi,<br /><br />Not bad suggestions at all. However in my case (and I should have mentioned this) the hardware works just fine under linux, no questions asked. So there's nothing wrong on a hardware level. <br />
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ironhead3
Tips
#1) Replace your RAM/ Error Check your RAM<br />#2) Flash your BIOS<br />#3) Replace Bad Hardware/Motherboard
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Naresh8787
Hi Guys,
Hi Guys,<br /><br />I'm having a similar difficulty with a PCI-E USB card, see here:<br />http://social.answers.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/w7hardware/thread/01793edc-42ba-4ef3-adff-564b664e975d/<br /><br />I disabled the on-board HDA controller from the 'System Devices' list, and also the system speaker. After that the USB card started powering anything that was plugged into it (flash drives and a wireless XBOX controller receiver lit up). However, it still would not function fully. No recognition of anything plugged into it by Windows, and Device Manager still reporting the Code 12 error. <br /><br />I'm not particularly keen to go disabling anymore devices from the 'System Devices' list. Especially seeing that the card works just fine under Linux, in the same machine. <br /><br />Also at a bit of the dead end. <br /><br />Daniel. <br />
Tags : contentbug

Kevin_Winters
who writes this ***?
<p>This provides no solution, it appears that the person writing this never even tried to solve the problem this way, very poorly done, Microsoft</p>
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Johnny KP
Code 12
I agree with the previous, and as it happens I have the same problem with a very similar video card only it's my only video card. The Device Manager and the subsequent help that it takes you to is absolutely useless in terms of helping me resolve my problem.
Tags : contentbug

chronic8000
How
It does not show me which resource is hung up on--there is no resources shown'<br /><br />I am getting this problem in Windows 7 7600 with 2 nvidia Geforce 9500GT's in SLI. The second card gets code 12 and there is nothing I can do about it. It will not show me what device is conflicting with it and device manager is vague at best. No troubleshoot in Windows 7 like in XP to try and fix a faulty device. Windows 7 has so many pointless resources hogging in the background that XP does not have, which is why my SLI works in Windows XP but not in Windows 7. I have tried BIOS updates to no avail. Just seems like I am stuck to one graphics card in Windows 7 for now.

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