John,

The Fn F2 function is a QuickSet function, so you may need to download and install that. This will help you install the drivers in the correct order.

How to Install Drivers in Microsoft® Windows® on Dell Systems

Since the operating system was re-installed did you remember to go to drivers and downloads, enter your service tag(DO NOT POST SERVICE TAG here or your post will get deleted, since it contains your personal information), and install these drivers in this order.

Desktop System Software or Notebook System Software
Chipset or SMBus driver
Processor Driver (if applicable)
Video
Audio (sound)
Input Drivers (keyboard/mouse)
Modem
Network Card

Also I would use EVEREST Home Edition. Install it, click on computer, summary then anything that's blue, left click on it, then click on update drivers. It will take you to the manufacturers website to update the drivers, once you're connected.

Rick

Go HERE and enter your service tag make sure you select the orginal configuration tab. This will produce a listing of what hardware was in the system when it left the factory. Now this list can be somewhat cryptic so if you are unsure you can post is back here making sure and personal info such as order number or service tag numbers are not posted and we can see if we can id the adapter.

OK, just had a thought (and may end up having to heartily apologise..). If there is, in fact, a wireless card in this laptop (it LOOKS like there is, the user SAYS they use it wirelessly, and everything seems to suggest there is ie the BIOS, and not getting any errors when installing drivers) why is it not showing up in Device Manager, at least as an "unknown" device...?

So, after having made all the excuses, here is the original config (hopefully all deidentified):

1    0P216    Mod Specs Info (Australia)
1    1X475    ASSY,HTSNK,W/FAN,THRMGRS,ABCS
1    2N439    LBL,INTEL INSIDE,CEL,SMALL
1    3E155    HD,30GB,I,9.5MM,4.2K,IBM-MRGA
2    3R690    SCR,2.5X8,#1- KSH,MSCR,CPS
12    4270E    SCR,M2X3,KSH,MS,BLO
1    4F015    Intel(R) Inside Celeron(R) Label
1    4U598    CASE,CRYG,LTHR,LGE,D-FMLY
1    5U092    ASSY,ADPT,AC,65W,19.5V,WW
1    5U840    Deluxe Leather Case
1    5W557    ASSY,CARR,HD,ABCS
2    5W601    CVR,SCR,RND,ADH,ABCS
1    5X486    KYBD,US,85,S-PTG,ABCS
1    6337P    LBL,SVCTAG/EXPRESSCODE,LATC
4    6350E    SCR,M3X5,KSH,MS,BLO
13    63PDH    SCR,M2.5x5,PHH,TF,BCS
2    6G648    DIMM,256,333,32X64,8K,200
1    6U356    KIT,CORD,220,3F,D3W/3P,AUS
1    6U895    512MB (2x256) DDR Memory PC2100 SDRAM
1    7G034    Shipment Box for Case
1    8267R    CON,HDR,2X22,F,2,S,G,35K,TH,CS
1    9J060    LBL,MSLOGO,WXP
3    9U288    BMPR,RBR,LCD,ABCS
1    9U777    SHLD,EMI,MET,PWA,ABCS
1    D2075    8-cell 65Whr Lithium Ion Primary Battery
1    D2143    65W AC Adapter
1    F1124    LCD,XGA,SPWGB,15, LG
1    F3310    System Driver CD Kit
1    F3528    BZL,FT,PLSTC,LCD,15.0,IBZ
1    F3710    Internal Dell(TM) 87 Keys Keyboard (English)
1    G3714    KIT,CDSK,DRVR,E/CD,INSP
1    G4874    KIT,DOC/DSK,SW,PDVD,5.1
1    G5352    Norton(TM) Internet Security 2004 ( 90 days trial period)
1    H3262    HNG,CVR,PLSTC,LCD,V2,1150
1    H4316    PRC,80531,2.4,128,400,CEL,D1,M
1    H4626    Cyberlinks PowerDVD Software
1    H4712    Dell(TM) Media Experience Software
1    J2482    Microsoft(R) Office Professional Edition 2003 (OEM Version)
1    J3280    ASSY,CBL,COAX,15XG,IBZ
1    J3563    Microsoft(R) Windows(R) XP Software Driver
1    K7997    Microsoft(R) Windows(R) XP Home SP2 Edition (English) CD Media
1    M3343    ASSY,CVR,BK,15,LCD,IBZ
1    M3418    Dotnet Framework for Office 2003
1    M3521    Inspiron(TM) 1150 Intel(R) Celeron(R) Processor 2.4GHz (15.0" XGA)
1    N4509    KIT,CDSK,RN,7.1,LE
1    P3373    LBL,REG,1150,APCC/DAO
1    P3389    AC Adapter (110V/220V AUS) Document
1    R4244    Sonic(TM) RecordNow! Software
1    R6315    ASSY,CDRW/DVD,24X,PHILIPS,ABCS
1    T3781    Telstra Dial-Up Trial Plan
1    T4640    MOD,GDE,README,CLIENTGOLD
1    T7196    Microsoft(R) Windows(R) XP Home Edition (English)
1    W1824    BTRY,PRI,14.8V,8C,LITH,SNYO
1    X1241    30GB Ultra ATA Hard Drive
1    X5414    S&P Consumer Flyer
1    X7039    Dell(TM) Image Restore

Thanks, John

OK Time for that hearty apology.. :emotion-10:

Decided to go check a junked Toshi that I knew had a wireless card, and discovered that the modem I had been looking at was, in fact, NOT a wireless card. So a quick remove and install, followed by a couple of OS installs, and I now have the Inspiron dual booting XP/Ubuntu 8.10, with the Toshi wireless card (even recognised in XP as a "Toshiba Wireless adaptor" (or similar), and everything working perfectly in both OS's. I'm impressed!

Still intrigued how XP allowed me to keep installing wireless drivers, and indicating all was good... even down to turning it on or off. Ah well, some things we just aren't meant to understand!

    John.