USB 6 in 1 Card Reader

First, no drivers are need for Windows XP, those drivers are probably for Win9X/Me and if you even force the drivers to install you could cause damage to the Windows XP operating system (and even require reinstallation of Windows XP).

If the drives are not being listed in the Windows Explorer, it could be the card reader is defective.  Have you tried a different USB port on your computer?  e.g if you plugged it into one of the front jacks, try a rear panel USB port. 

Usually, if it detects the device, the drives should also be detected, which leads me to think there is a possible hardware problem with the device. 

Since you have Windows XP, use the System Restore feature and restore you PC to a date PRIOR to first trying to connect the card reader.  This will "clear out" any installations of the card reader.  Then try it again, just plug it in and let Windows install it.  Check the Windows Explorer to see if the drives are shown.  If not, it may be a defective unit and if you can return it, take it back for a replacement or even a different brand/model.

Tried what you recmnded. This is second reader from Dell (they replaced the first that had the same problem) I installed on win98 system w/disk and no problems at all, so the reader itself seems to be working., it just doesn't give me the 4 extra drives I need.

Try uninstalling the USB in the Windows Device manager and then restart Windows.  It will reinstall them and sometimes that fixes flakey problems. 

Thanks for your advice but that didn't work either. I'm just going to return product. Dell tech support as you may know is a total nightmare to use. I spoke to them for 4 plus hours with this simple problem and you suggested exactly what you did in no time at all! Thay actually were the one's who told me to go ahead and use the disk to install the drivers. Incroyable! thanks again...