XPS 400 Drive Problems

Hello,

No problems.

Dell systems need to be installed in the correct order or you will have problems. I will list the order below with links to all the files that you will need. Make sure that you install the "system software" and 'chipset" in safe mode.

Install your version of Windows.

Install the following software and drivers in the order listed below.

***** 1.***** Desktop System Software (DSS) or Notebook System Software (NSS) - A vital utility that provides critical updates and patches for the operating system. If you are reinstalling the operating system or updating all the computer’s drivers, it is imperative that this software be installed first.
Currently, the DSS and NSS are not required for systems with Windows Vista installed. This is located under the System and Configuration Utilities Category on the Drivers and Downloads page.
2. Chipset - Helps Windows control system board components and controllers. This is located under the Chipset Category on the Drivers and Downloads page.
3. Video Adapter - Enhances video performance. This is located under the Video Adapter Category on the Drivers and Downloads page.
4. Network Interface Card (NIC) - Enhances the network controller for Internet or network access. This is located under the Network Category on the Drivers and Downloads page.
5. Audio Adapter - Enables and enhances the audio controller. This is located under the Audio Category on the Drivers and Downloads page.
6. Modem - Allows dialup capability. This is located under the Communication Category on the Drivers and Downloads page.
7. Wireless Network Card - Enables and enhances the wireless network controller. This is located under the Network Category on the Drivers and Downloads page.
8. Touchpad, Pointer, Trackstick, Mice, and Keyboards - Enhances the pointing device features. This is located under the Mouse & Keyboards Category on the Drivers and Downloads page.
9. Other Devices
* Bluetooth Module
This is located under the Communication Category on the Drivers and Downloads page.
* Dell Wireless Mobile Broadband Cards
This is located under the Communication Category on the Drivers and Downloads page.
* PCMCIA/Smartcard controller
This is located under the Security Category on the Drivers and Downloads page.

Dell drivers and downloads page http://support.dell.com/support/downloads/.

NOTE: If your system download page offers a DSS or NSS file in the 'System and Configuration Utilities' Category. And you have already tried to install some drivers, you will need to reboot in Safe Mode to install the DSS or NSS file, and the chipset. Then reboot the system and install the rest of the drivers in the correct order.

Still doesn't work.  I'm pretty sure the drivers they have on the site are wrong.  Even with Windows XP SP2 full, the drivers won't install.  They just pop up and close without anything happening.  The Sound and the Ethernet drivers won't work.  I even tried the order, still nothing.  I need htis ocmputer to work, and its an inconvience for me that dell has decided to make it impossible ot reformat their built computers. 

hey!

No..didn't think it was neccessary. So should i reformat and try all over again or just start in safe mode and execute? Also should my interent driver come up automatically after installation or do i have to set it up?

Thanks for the help =]

Hi again,

You installed the first two files in 'safe mode'?

Hi again,

No need to format.

Just do as the list I posted says. Install the first two files in safe mode, restart and then install the rest of your drivers.

oh and i also found the cd for my sound driver so i think i got that working finally....the one from the website never worked though....just letting you know!

Hello again,

Do you have a NIC card, or is it on the motherboard? Either way tell us anything that you know about it. Name, model, anything.

Is this the driver <ADMIN NOTE: Broken link has been removed from this post by Dell> your trying to install?

No i dont think i have a NIC card. The cable runs into the motherboard. Its for the xps 400, ummm....theres a sticker on the motherboard that has this serial or something: CN-0YC523-70821-5BT-F0HS. Like i said, i installed the chipset and the DSS in safe mode...i got the sound to work because of a cd i found...idk much more. If you need any more info i'll be happy to look for you. thanks!

By the way, i tried that driver several times...thats the one that disappears once i execute the setup.

also is there like a quicker way i can get to you? lol its a little tedious going back and forth between the forums. if you have aim or email...basically something that i can use to contact you faster would be great! Calling Dell is a waste of time so I'm relying on you! Thanks again!

also is there like a quicker way i can get to you? lol its a little tedious going back and forth between the forums. if you have aim or email...basically something that i can use to contact you faster would be great! Calling Dell is a waste of time so I'm relying on you! Thanks again!

Hello again,

No, I don't answer Dell questions except here. Sorry :emotion-31:

Hello,

Once again, did you install the NIC file I linked to in the previous answer after you installed the DSS and chipset files?

Hi!

Well, I tried everything you told me. I tried the driver you specifically sent me. I tried in the exact order you sent. I tried reformatting with a different version of windows. I tried everything. If you need more info...the only other thing i could tell you is that the network adapter doesnt show up in the device manager. Like on the laptop im using, the network adapter has a green chip icon but on my xps 400 there is no such adapter at all. Umm, the connection is on the motherboard itself, there is no card. Its like this silver box thats attatched to my motherboard. There is an orange bulb that glows and when its connected to my computer, the little port glows orange but still no adapter. IDK what else to try....any thing else you can think of?

Thanks again!

Hello again,

Look in the BIOS settings and make sure that the integrated NIC is set to "On".

Otherwise the only option left is to buy and install a PCI network card.

Seemingly the onboard NIC is dead.

I have the same problem, same computer XPS 400, i reformatted my hard drive because I had installed Vista on it.  I had so many problems with Vista, i reformatted the drive and installed XP back on it and i have no sound now.   I was not aware that I had to install the DSS and Chipset and then the rest of the drivers in that order.  I tried the safe mode and installed the DSS, rebooted back into the safemode, and then installed the chipset, and no joy, still no sound.  I guess I have a couple of questions and thanks in advance for any and all help.  I have spent days on trying to fix this problem.

1.  When in the safemode, prior to running the DSS, do i need to first uninstall all of the other drivers (nic/video/audio, etc) first?

2.  After running the DSS, do i need to reboot back into the safemode, then load the chipset? 

I dont know if this will help, but here are the details of my system:

	None detected
Users (mouse over user name for details)		Printers
local user accounts last logon  Administrator 5/2/2009 5:45:41 PM (admin)  John B 5/2/2009 6:09:46 PM (admin) local system accounts  ASPNET never  Guest never  HelpAssistant never  SUPPORT_388945a0 never  Marks a disabled account;    Marks a locked account		None detected
Controllers		Display
Intel(R) 82801G (ICH7 Family) Ultra ATA Storage Controllers - 27DF Intel(R) 82801GR/GH SATA AHCI Controller Primary IDE Channel [Controller]		NVIDIA GeForce 7300 LE [Display adapter] Samsung SyncMaster [Monitor] (22.0"vis, s/n HVCP104254, January 2007)
Bus Adapters		Multimedia
Intel(R) 82801G (ICH7 Family) USB Universal Host Controller - 27C8 Intel(R) 82801G (ICH7 Family) USB Universal Host Controller - 27C9 Intel(R) 82801G (ICH7 Family) USB Universal Host Controller - 27CA Intel(R) 82801G (ICH7 Family) USB Universal Host Controller - 27CB Intel(R) 82801G (ICH7 Family) USB2 Enhanced Host Controller - 27CC		ATI Unified AVStream Driver Creative SB X-Fi SigmaTel High Definition Audio CODEC
Communications		Other Devices
Conexant D850 56K V.9x DFVc Modem       Intel(R) PRO/1000 PL Network Connection  primary  Auto IP Address:     Gateway:    Dhcp Server:    Physical Address:    Networking Dns Servers:  i removed my ip information		Logitech Driver Interface (2x) HID-compliant consumer control device HID-compliant device (2x) USB Human Interface Device (3x) HID Keyboard Device Logitech HID-compliant Cordless Mouse USB Composite Device USB Mass Storage Device USB Root Hub (5x)