Searching for help restoring my daughters computer to "normal" functioning.

First thought: Why does a computer bought in 2006, have a 4 year old OS?

It has the OS that came with the PC and unless you upgrade to some other OS (e.g. Vista or Windows 7) you will have the original OS. 

With all the software problems you appear to have (it is not hardware - this forum section) it looks like the Operating System is corrupted and ultimately it's going to take a new install to get everything corrected.  Many Dell's came with a recovery partition on the hard drive that will restore the PC back to the original factory condition - CTRL/F11 at bootup.  If yours has the recovery partion, that is the easiest way to restore - just backup your user data to some other storage media before you do the reinstall so you can restore it after the reinstallation. 

If you have to do a manual install from discs, the correct and required install sequence is (1) Install Windows (2) Install Desktop System Software (on applicable models) (3) Install motherboard chipset drivers (4) Install device drivers including the Dell sound, video, ethernet, etc.

Sorry I can't offer you anything else, but with the problems you stated it looks like a reinstall is needed.

p.s. At the bottom of your reply is some specs on what looks like a very kick-*** system for music and video production. Did you put those there or is that some sort of random add-on for replying.

It's called a 'signature' Theo.  Many forum members have them.  You'll see - for instance, that mine lists the specs of my XPS M1730 laptop.

You can add your own signature via your 'User Panel' - which you'll find at the top right of forums pages.

Click on 'Expand User Panel', and look in the left menu.  You'll see options for 'Public Profile' and 'Edit Profile.  It's in those you can add a 'signature' :emotion-5:

Theo, thanks.  The system I list with the Q6600 Quad CPU is a home built system.  It does work well for recording with Sonar and the hardware I have.

Excellent! I am certainly learning as I go... May I correspond with you on any future pc inquiries?

Happy Holidays fireberd!

Peace,

Theo

<ADMIN NOTE:Email Id removed per privacy policy>

I'd rather you just post on the forum.  If it happens to be a question I can't answer someone else will be able to see it and respond.

Merry Christmas.

Sure thing. Peace

Thank you fireberd. My apologies on the post in hardware for my clearly software related issues. Rookie mistake. Sure thing, I will do what you have suggested. I have an external mass storage device to move all files to. Then I will do the ctrl/f11 at boot up. I appreciate your input and direction. Thanks for taking the time. Regards, theo p.s. At the bottom of your reply is some specs on what looks like a very ROCKIN' system for music and video production. Did you put those there or is that some sort of random add-on for replying. Curious ($ and such) cause that looks like something I would do well with...

Obviously, I know the answer now but did the re-post because of my harmless descriptive verb was deleted by the "team" and still wanted this post here.

Thanks for everything. See you around the forum.

Regards,

Theo

Right on! Learning as I go...

Happy Holidays,

Theo

i understand that you have to install drivers after windows intstall but i'm still having problems.  it seems when windows installs, i put in the other drivers CD that came with the computer and i still have no luck getting them installed - how do you use that driver CD properly?  i think that my problem is not understand how to use that CD.  thanks

 mrlepto

What is your computer model and the version of windows that's installed?

 The correct order to install drivers on Dell desktops, is HERE

Bev.

It has the OS that came with the PC and unless you upgrade to some other OS (e.g. Vista or Windows 7) you will have the original OS.  With all the software problems you appear to have (it is not hardware - this forum section) it looks like the Operating System is corrupted and ultimately it's going to take a new install to get everything corrected.  Many Dell's came with a recovery partition on the hard drive that will restore the PC back to the original factory condition - CTRL/F11 at bootup.  If yours has the recovery partion, that is the easiest way to restore - just backup your user data to some other storage media before you do the reinstall so you can restore it after the reinstallation.  If you have to do a manual install from discs, the correct and required install sequence is (1) Install Windows (2) Install Desktop System Software (on applicable models) (3) Install motherboard chipset drivers (4) Install device drivers including the Dell sound, video, ethernet, etc. Sorry I can't offer you anything else, but with the problems you stated it looks like a reinstall is needed.

i understand that you have to install drivers after windows intstall but i'm still having problems.  it seems when windows installs, i put in the other drivers CD that came with the computer and i still have no luck getting them installed - how do you use that driver CD properly?  i think that my problem is not understand how to use that CD.

thanks

hi Bev,   i understand the correct order to install, i'm just not sure how to use that other CD, the driver one, that came with it.  do i use it while windows is running or do i restart the comuter and boot from it and use those setups where it asks me to extract drivers, etc.  i'm completely lost on that part.

thanks

Hi Mrlepto,

With Windows running, insert that disc and you'll be prompted how to install the drivers.

 mrlepto

How to Restore Dell Computer Drivers

Bev.

ok, i got it finally - whew!  back up and running - thanks to all that helped!  the install sequence is definately what has getting me.

cheers!

 mrlepto

You are welcome and pleased to hear the system is running.

Bev.