After updating the driver on a Dell TL2000 tape drive, the devices appeared in Device Manager with a bang, indicating the driver was corrupt.

Error message: “Windows cannot load the device driver for this hardware. The driver may be corrupted or missing. (Code 39)”

To fix this error, perform a regedit.

Note: Export registry before you make any changes.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMCurrentControlSetControlClass

Scroll through the classes until you locate the Tape Drive and Media Changer. Delete the entry for LowerFilters.

Reinstall the drivers for the tape device in the Device Manager.