Unexpected update for unknown (to me) device


pokeefe0001

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I just noticed that Windows Update is showing an update called "Areca Technology Corporation - System - 6.20.0.41". I see that Areca makes disk controllers but I'm not aware of having one. I do have a USB-attached external drive enclosure - an Inateck ASM225CM - that must have some kind of disk controller. Is there any way to tell if this update is a driver (or something) for that external drive enclosure?
 
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Areca makes raid controllers. Look in device manager. Expand storage controllers to see if your system is equipped with Areca.
 

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Areca makes raid controllers.
Yes, but not only raid controllers. It also makes SATA controllers (and others).

Look in device manager. Expand storage controllers to see if your system is equipped with Areca.
I don't see Areca mentioned anywhere. I guess I'll install the maintenance while being ready restore Windows if everything goes south. If things seem OK I'll see what driver (if any) changes.
 

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After installing the maintenance I can see the update in question listed in the Drivers section of Update History, but I cannot find anything in Device Manager showing the driver version.

Is there any Windows utility that will list all installed drivers along with their version, driver date, installed date, etc?
 

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Is there any Windows utility that will list all installed drivers along with their version, driver date, installed date, etc?
I would suggest "Driver Store Explorer". Shows all installed drivers + removal options +everything else you asked.
I use it all the time for driver version updates. No installer, just unzip and run "rapr.exe"
May take a minute or two to show the results. Depends on the system.

Release DriverStore Explorer v0.11.92 · lostindark/DriverStoreExplorer
 
Last edited:

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I would suggest "Driver Store Explorer". Shows all installed drivers + removal options +everything else you asked.
I use it all the time for driver version updates. No installer, just unzip and run "rapr.exe"
May take a minute or two to show the results. Depends on the system.

Release DriverStore Explorer v0.11.92 · lostindark/DriverStoreExplorer
Many thanks. That provided knowledge but I still lack understanding. I found the driver under "System devices" and looked at the .inf file. It says "Areca PCI SCSI SAS HOST Adapter" in the comments and later seems to imply it's for a virtual RAID device. I guess I'll just copy the whole .inf file here:
Code:
;************************************************************************************
;                           - arcdev.inf -
;                This INF file for Windows Vista above only 
;                    Areca PCI SCSI SAS HOST Adapter
;
;        *********************************************************************
;        *                                                                   *
;        *  Copyright 2012 ARECA, Inc. All rights reserved.                  *
;        *                                                                   *
;        *  This file is property of ARECA, Inc. and is licensed for         *
;        *  use as is.  The receipt of or possession of this file does not   *
;        *  convey any rights to modify its contents, in whole, or in part,  *
;        *  without the specific written consent of ARECA, Inc.              *
;        *                                                                   *
;        *********************************************************************
;************************************************************************************
[Version]
Signature="$WINDOWS NT$"
Class=System
ClassGuid={4D36E97D-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318}
Provider=%ARECA%
DriverVer = 09/27/2023,6.20.00.41
CatalogFile=arcmsr.cat

[ControlFlags]
ExcludeFromSelect = *

[Manufacturer]
%ARECA%=ARECA,NTx86,NTia64,NTamd64

[ARECA.NTx86]
%Areca.DeviceDesc%     = ARCVDEV, SCSI\Other__RAID___DummyDevice____
%ArcSES.DeviceDesc%    = ARCVDEV, SCSIEnclosure
[ARECA.NTia64]
%Areca.DeviceDesc%     = ARCVDEV, SCSI\Other__RAID___DummyDevice____
%ArcSES.DeviceDesc%    = ARCVDEV, SCSIEnclosure

[ARECA.NTamd64]
%Areca.DeviceDesc%     = ARCVDEV, SCSI\Other__RAID___DummyDevice____
%ArcSES.DeviceDesc%    = ARCVDEV, SCSIEnclosure

[ARCVDEV.NTx86]
;****************************************************
; this is blank to just allow the install to succeed
;****************************************************

[ARCVDEV.NTia64]
;****************************************************
; this is blank to just allow the install to succeed
;****************************************************

[ARCVDEV.NTamd64]
;****************************************************
; this is blank to just allow the install to succeed
;****************************************************

[ARCVDEV.NTx86.Services]
AddService = , %SPSVCINST_ASSOCSERVICE%   ; areca raid virtual device service install

[ARCVDEV.NTia64.Services]
AddService = , %SPSVCINST_ASSOCSERVICE%   ; areca raid virtual device service install

[ARCVDEV.NTamd64.Services]
AddService = , %SPSVCINST_ASSOCSERVICE%   ; areca raid virtual device service install

[strings]
ARECA                   = "Areca Technology Corporation"
Areca.DeviceDesc        = "Areca VIRTUAL SCSI RAID Device"
ArcSES.DeviceDesc       = "Generic SCSI Enclosure Device"

;****************************************************
;Handy macro substitutions (non-localizable)
;****************************************************
SPSVCINST_ASSOCSERVICE = 0x00000002
I'm now guessing it has something to do with my Hyper-V config (that I have set up only because I occasionally use Macrium viBoot). However, I have Hyper-v configured on multiple computers and this virtual RAID device shows up on only one of them.
 

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I have the SANDISK Extreme USB SSD so I guess that's why it wanted to install on both my computers
 

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I have the SANDISK Extreme USB SSD so I guess that's why it wanted to install on both my computers
I think you are right. When I have A SanDisk Extreme Pro USB4 portable SSD plugged in, I find the driver mentioned in the Windows Device Manager as "Generic SCSI Enclosure Device" under System Devices,
 

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