Knowing what computer model would help with details, but a couple things:

1) I'm guessing you used the Dell Download manager to download the drivers you need - it tries to install an application on your PC to download drivers, but often doesn't work correctly.     To clear out the Download Manager and use just the regular browser download, first go to Add/Remove and remove the Download Manager (if it's listed), then clear all your cookies and temp files from the browser to clear the Dell cookie that sets the Download Manager as a default.    After that you should be able to use just the second regular browser download to get each driver individually.

2) After a reformat, there's a recommended order to reinstall all the drivers - the first 2 (system software and chipset) set up the system components -  without them the remaining drivers sometimes don't install correctly.

http://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/downloads/en/driver_install_order?c=us&l=en&s=gen&~lt=print

1) I don't think I was using dell's download manager if I remembered right...but' I'll check on that when I get home tonight.

2) Yes I did follow the install order...

Note: I tried changing the file name to .exe.zip but still doesn't work.

bump~

by the way the file that I download does not say R12345, it says dell download manager application or something...

I also realized that When I want to download the newest version of MSN messenger it would tell me to download the windows installer  (Mine is out of date). Do you think by downloading the new windows installer will solve this problem? I will try your way out when i get home tonight.. Thanks and sorry for the bumping :P

Dell's drivers are almost always self-extracting executables, with a file name like R12345.exe.   Don't know why it's downloading without an extension.

If you can't get it correctly from the main web site, you can get it from Dell's FTP site - with the PC model number I could point you to the correct file.  But  you can find it by mousing over the download button - should show the reference to the FTP site and the Rxxxxxx number on the bottom bar of the browser.

ftp://ftp.dell.com/audio/

If by chance you either installed SP3 or went to Windows Update before installing all the drivers, the problem could be that the correct Sigmatel driver got tangled with the Windows versions, which are provided by IDT, not Sigmatel (IDT bought Sigmatel out).    For whatever reason IDT's versions don't work properly on many older Dell models with the original Sigmatel.     In any case,  best to try and clear the old driver instead of just updating it.     Go to Add/Remove, remove SIgmatel, then go to device manager, right-click and uninstall Sigmatel.   Reboot, but do NOT let the add hardware wizard automatically find it - cancel the wizard, then download and install the Dell Sigmatel driver.

EDIT:  Bumping is frowned on here, especially after only an hour.   It's an all-volunteer forum - some of us have other things to do too, you know.

The "download manager application" is the Dell Download manager.    When you click download for the first time you get 2 options - the first is the Download Manager, the second is just the regular browser download.     Problem is, the Download Manager requires you have all the Microsoft .net Framework updates - and a fresh XP install probably won't have those yet (obviously Dell didn't think about that when they added this "feature").     Either see #1 in my first reply to get rid of the Download Manager option, or get the drivers you need from the FTP site.

I suspect  the Messenger problem is also related to not having all your Windows Updates yet - SP3 has the latest version of Windows installer already (version 3.1),  though it can be done separately if you have to.   Try getting your sound driver working first, then get all your updates in order before trying to install anything else.

http://update.microsoft.com/microsoftupdate/v6/default.aspx?ln=es

Man.. still no luck... I am home now and tried to remove the Dell Download manager from add/remove programs but it's not there. Then I went to the ftp site and downloaded SIGMATEL_STAC-92XX-C-Major-H_A06_R182475.exe.  Since the file name kind of match the driver that I have under my dell's account. but I was not able to install it (it would tell me that it's not the correct driver).

I have a Dimension E510 and when I went to my dell's account and searched for my audio drivers it would show:

1) creative labs - application    applies to: integrated audigy invitation

2) creative labs - driver   applies to: sound blaster x-fi XtremeMusic (D)

3) sigmatel - driver   applies to: STAC 92xx C-major HD audio

Please help~

Glad you found a way.

I use Firefox myself and never use IE unless I have to, but here on the forum I assume most people use IE.   So much for assuming.   :emotion-4:

i found the way!!

http://en.community.dell.com/blogs/direct2dell/archive/2009/07/01/dell-driver-download-manager.aspx

had to use ie to dl the file... can't use firefox, then the file is good.

Thank MUCH for the help!