Drivers missing ?

I'm using an Inspiron B130. An unwelcome guest blew out my operating system (XP home edition). For lack of the original factory CD, a tech friend provided me with a new installation and I thought everything was working fine. Later found out my MagicJack telephone interface no longer works right. Also I just bought a "WD MyPassport Essential SE" external hard drive. Other than hearing the drive spin for several seconds when I first plug it in, absolutely nothing comes up on the screen, and it doesn't show up as a device on "My Computer".  (It works ok on my other laptop.) Am I missing drivers? If so, is there an online troubleshooter to determine which ones I should have, which ones are missing, how to download them (and in what order), etc.? I've never done this before. HELP ! Thanks.