C610 will not recognize broadband connection after reinstalling XP.

Question

I downloaded the drivers from the Drivers and Downloads page for the 3c920 ethernet card.  I've got the cat5 cable hooked back up from the laptop to the modem, just as I did before.   When I try to type in a web address, it acts as if there is not connection.  I did a ping test to 192.168.1.254 w/100% failure.  Where do I begin?

volcano11 · Answer

After reinstalling Windows did you install all of the drivers in the correct order. The Notebook System Software and Chipset drivers must be installed before even attempting to install other device drivers. After these are installed you can then install the drivers for things like your network adapter.

Steve

kurtcrosbie · Answer

That may have been my problem.  I had a very hard time figuring out exactly which drivers I needed, because the drivers page lists so many different drivers for each component.  Do I have to do another reformatting or just go back and install the drivers I should have before?

volcano11 · Answer

Try installing the Notebook System Software and the Chipset drivers now, then install the other drivers. Sometimes this works, sometimes you have to start all over, reformatting, reinstalling Windows, and then installing the drivers in the correct order.

Steve

kurtcrosbie · Answer

These are the categories I get when looking for the drivers:

applications

audio

bios

cd/dvd

communication

diagnostics

ide & eide controllers

input device drivers

network

patches and fixes

system utilities

systems management

video

Larry R · Answer

The list of drivers I have for the C610 running XP is:

PCTEL MDC driver (communication)
Synaptics touchpad drivers (input)
Dell AccessDirect (applications)
Any other hardware added (wireless cards, etc)

If you have all of these loaded, then the system should work just fine. The 3Com drivers are already in Windows, although I believe there is an update on our site you might try installing (from the Networking section).

Message Edited by DELL-Larry R on 10-27-2008 05:51 PM

kurtcrosbie · Answer

I did not use the OS disk I got with that partcular pc.  Is this going to be a problem?

Larry R · Answer

If you used a retail version of XP the driver requirements would be the same.  The Dell OS reinstallation CD is just a standard version of Windows labeled with the Dell name.  For some there are drivers added in (e.g., so it will install to a SATA hard drive on newer systems) but otherwise it is 'normal'.

kurtcrosbie · Answer

I am reinstalling Windows XP SP 2 right now.  I will do it in the correct order this time to see if it makes a difference.

kurtcrosbie · Answer

Ok get this.........  I reinstalled XP Pro SP2 and now everything works fine.  I didn't even have to go download chipset or ethernet drivers.  And it turns out this computer has a wireless card built in that I didn't even know about, because right now I'm on a wireless connection.  good stuff.

Networking, Internet, & Bluetooth

C610 will not recognize broadband connection after reinstalling XP.

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