Reinstalling Windows 7 - Very confused about drivers - Please Help!

First, there are NO hard drive (or CD/DVD) drivers other than the built in Windows drivers.  What you are seeing is "firmware" updates for the actual drives. 

There are separate driver listings on the Dell downloads for Windows 7, 32 bit and Windows 7, 64 bit.  The first thing is to select the drivers for the version of Windows 7 that you have. 

There are two chipset drivers listed, the Intel chipset drivers for the motherboard and the Dell Management Engine.  I would install the Intel chipset driver first.

Usually, if you access the drivers using your service tag number it will only display applicable downloads for your specific model (assuming Windows 7 was delivered with the PC).  If you are changing to Windows 7 then you need to access the downloads via your model number.

Business systems have additional system software, but in general on a Dell the correct and required install sequence is (1) Install Windows (2) Install Dell Desktop System Software (3) Install chipset drivers (3) Install Device Drivers including video, sound, ethernet, etc.

Thanks for the response, Fireberd!

My PC came with Windows 7 64 bit, so I'm not changing the OS. I've been reading the "How to Download and Install Drivers in the Correct Order" page and was hoping you could clarify whether or not I need to do steps 3 and 4:

• 3. PCMCIA/Smartcard controller located under the Security Category on the Drivers and Downloads page.
• 4. Intel Storage - Intel Matrix Storage Manager located under SATA Drives on the Drivers and Downloads page (only for Intel chipset computers).

For #3, the only thing I have under Security is "Wave Systems Corp - Application, Applies to: Embassy Trust Suite."