I'm starting to wonder if your XP install didn't go correctly and maybe you need to run a system file check :

• Start>run
• Type in: sfc /scannow
• Click ok (Have XP CD handy in case it's requested by sfc. )

Or maybe do a Repair/Reinstall of XP which shouldn't affect personal files, but always better to back up first.

We still need the hardware IDs, see below...

Open the Device Manager – Windows XP

Go to Start and right click computer and select properties. Or press [Windows] and [Pause|Break]

Select the hardware tab

Select the Device Manger

Right click the device with the exclamation mark or generic name and select properties:

Select the details tab and then hardware IDs from the dropdown list.

Whilst I am appreciate all the advice I am being given I am unable to supply the hardware ID's as there is no "detail" tab under properties -just tabs for General, Driver and Resources.????

Sailorbouy, I located another instance where the User was not seeing a "Details" tab as you have described.

http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/network-internet-wireless/f/3324/t/19585285

(Note: The discussion between the supporting parties and the User continued from May 22nd to June 3rd, before further 'Details' became visible / known.)

This was an older Dimension series desktop computer, and when the Details of the Modem finally became known, I looked the "Hardware Ids" up in a separate, third-party database online.  The "DEV" code "1080" described for the Modem returned 21 very different devices, where typically only 1 or 2 devices are listed (at most).  This is the sort of thing you are likely to encounter being the owner of older hardware, so patience is the most important factor of all.

If anything about the dialog between Philip and Teresa (a.k.a. "mrsfluff") aligns with the efforts you are undertaking, than a shout out to her might (eventually) be in order.

Try reinstalling the chipset driver...?? Boot in Safe Mode to do it then reboot normally and see what happens.