Welcome to the forums Tim :emotion-21:

I personally don't like using any other download manager (hereafter DM), than my preferred one (GetRight Pro), so for any downloads off the Dell website, I opt for the 'download in web browser' option.

I don't know where Dell's DM installs to in XP Pro unfortunately?  Have you checked C:\ and Program Files, to see if there's a new folder - i.e. 'Dell'?

Are you no longer offered the option to download in your browser now - rather than via the DM?

If not, it might be worth installing a stand-alone DM :emotion-55:

As I've said... I personally use GetRight Pro, but it's not free.  However - there are free DM's - i.e:

FlashGet (which I used to use myself).

Free Download Manager

Download Accelerator Plus (FREE) (make sure you choose the FREE version)

GetGo

Fresh Download

+

LeechGet

Let us know if using one or other of those helps?  If not, I'm sure you'll get some other helpful suggestions :emotion-5:

Thanks for the response. I've been messing with this computer for almost a month and it keeps getting worse. I checked program files and add/remove programs - nothing from dell or download or anything like that. I am trying to download to a flash drive on my laptop(Vista) since I can't connect the pc(XP Pro) to the internet. I don't get the option to download using the browser. I have followed the suggestions I've seen here about clearing the cache and I've done that with no luck. I will try to get one of the download managers you suggested and see what happens.

OK - I downloaded Flashget, set it as my default DM. I'm not sure I can figure out how to download the drivers to it. Could you advise me? Sorry - this kinda stuff is new to me.

Tim - when you cleared the cache, did you also clear the cookies?  There's a particular Dell cookie that sets the default to use the Download Manager.   If by chance you're using IE8, there's an option to preserve cookies on favorite sites - if Dell is a favorite, that might explain why the cookie's still there.  And if it did successfully install, it should be listed in Add/Remove - if not, then I'm not sure what's going on.

Usually with a download manager like Flashget you need a working download address to begin with - I think you may have a catch-22 there, if the Dell site insists on using the Dell manager instead.

However, there is a way to bypass all the site options and get right to the drivers - they're all hosted on a single FTP site - but it takes a bit of work.

1) On the main drivers and downloads page, click on the NAME of the driver you want - NOT the download button.  There's a recommended order for installing drivers (see the "driver install instructions" link at the top of the main drivers page).  So, here's the page for Desktop System Software (first in the list):

http://support.dell.com/support/downloads/download.aspx?c=us&cs=22&l=en&s=dfh&releaseid=R104418&SystemID=DIM_P4_4700&servicetag=&os=WW1&osl=en&deviceid=6317&devlib=0&typecnt=0&vercnt=4&catid=-1&impid=-1&formatcnt=1&libid=7&typeid=-1&dateid=-1&formatid=-1&fileid=134821

2) RIGHT CLICK the download button, and select Properties.  I've pasted that long string below - what you're after is in bold.

javascriptdownloadslink('http://ftp.us.dell.com/utility/R104418.EXE','134821','http://xserv.dell.com/dm/DownloadManager/DellDriverDownloadManager.application?c=us&l=en&fileid=134821&fileloc=ftp://ftp.us.dell.com/utility/R104418.EXE&size=24111192&IsSecure=false','R104418.EXE');

3) Simply copy and paste that address in bold into your browser ( and it should start downloading that file.  Then you can copy it over to your 4700 and install it.

Desktop System Software and Chipset should always be installed first - sometimes without them other drivers won't install properly.   After those, video, audio, ethernet, and whatever else you need.

Thanks for the info. I did clear the cookies but I'll check to see if the Dell cookie is still there. There is nothing from Dell on the add/remove list. I'm going to try to get the driver using the method you described. I'll let you know what happens.

I'm feeling dumber and dumber as this saga continues. I cleared every cookie, at least I think I did but if I click download on the drivers page it still goes to Dell DM and nothing happens. I tried to use the method you suggested but for some reason the url wouldn't paste to my browser. So I typed it in and the Flashget window opened and it downloaded to my flash drive. I will transfer it to my 4700 to see if it will work. When I tried to get the chipset driver I failed. When I click on the name of the chipset driver and then right click on download and select properties I am not getting a location of the driver. the only url in that box is http://support.dell.com/support/downloads/download.aspx? and its the same for any driver I select. What am I doing wrong now? Thanks again.

I got the DSS to install on my pc but predictably, there was a problem. When it unzipped I got an error message that said "error while unzipping. one or more files were not successfully unzipped. error code 110. It installed anyway. I don't know what additional problems that might cause.

OK - Progress, I think. I redownloaded the DSS driver, transferred it and reinstalled it on my 4700 and everything went fine. I also found the ftp page where all the utilities are listed. It's probably a lot to ask but I don't know of another way - since I can't seem to get the file numbers on my own is there a way you could get them for me? When I put in my service tag number there is a list of 16 downloads that are recommended. I could give you my service tag number if that would help. Or any other suggestions are appreciated.

Good news - I noticed that if I placed the cursor over the downlad button without clicking it the destination address is visible in the  very bottom line of the browser. I have been copying it (writing it by hand), putting that in a new browser window and downloading that way. Its working so far - I've got the dss and the chipset installed on the 4700. wish me luck I'll report on the progress.

I am responding on my pc - I wasn't sure if that would ever happen again. I've installed almost everything you mentioned except the audio driver. I don't know if I need anything else. I've got a lot more to do - reinstalling my printer and such and restoring my documents and pictures.Thanks for everything. If I run into a problem I'll post it. Thanks again.

As it turns out, I was using Firefox, which does show the full address in the properties.  It's IE that gives just the "download aspx" thing.

Try this instead:   Simply mouse over the download button (don't click it)  and look at the bottom border of the browser - it should show the FTP address there.  All the drivers have the same basic name format  - RXXXXXX - and are organized into fairly logical folders on the FTP site.   Just jot down the folder name and the actual driver number.    For example, the chipset driver:   just go to ftp.dell.com, then find the Chipset folder, then scroll down and download R79695.

I don't mind finding the list, but assuming that works you'll probably get it done faster.

EDIT:  You beat me to it, Tim.  :emotion-1:

What Dell calls "Recommended" or "optional" or even "urgent" isn't relevant in this case - that's meant to apply to whether Dell thinks you need an update, not whether you need to install them in the first place.   Those 16 downloads include things like BIOS, firmware, and applications, not just drivers.  And just because Dell says so doesn't mean you really need them.  It's your computer -  if it ain't broke, no need to fix it.   Be especially careful with BIOS and firmware - those update the actual internal hardware and can't be undone if something goes wrong.  .     All you really need right now are the drivers for the following.

Desktop System Software
Chipset software
Video driver
Network driver
Audio driver
Modem driver (if you have a dialup modem).

Once everything's actually working and your device manager is clear, then if you think you need something else you can go back and look for it.

As far as the download manager goes - against my better judgment I went ahead and installed the thing again to test it,  but I couldn't duplicate the problem.    The only 2 other things I can think of causing you so much grief:

1) You don't have the necessary Microsoft .net Framework updates on your laptop.  The Dell manager requires at least .net Framework 2.0 for IE, and 3.5 for Firefox.  Those should have come through a while ago with regular MS updates - though if you have Vista, at least .net 2.0 is supposedly already built in.

2) Your firewall or antivirus software is blocking some change related to the download manager and causing it to hang.