Need help with reinstalling Windows XP on a Dell Dimension 2400 desktop

Download them on any computer using those links, put them on a CD or USB flash drive, copy them to the 2400, then run/install them there.

The processor is irrelevant to this process.  Are you talking about the video?  You would either be using the onboard Intel graphics or an add-in ATI graphics card.

http://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/downloads/en/driver_install_order?c=us&l=en&s=gen&~lt=print

As ieee eluded to, you need to install drivers for all devices that XP doesn't recognizes (and in comparison with modern OS's like Windows 7, that means installing a LOT of drivers).

Normally, the chipset should be the first driver you install.  On Dells, the System Software should come before the chipset, but since this system does not have System Software, start with the chipset:

http://support.dell.com/support/downloads/download.aspx?c=us&cs=04&l=en&s=bsd&releaseid=R47822&SystemID=DIM_PNT_P4_CEL_2400&servicetag=&os=WW1&osl=en&deviceid=3268&devlib=0&typecnt=0&vercnt=1&catid=-1&impid=-1&formatcnt=0&libid=27&typeid=-1&dateid=-1&formatid=-1&source=-1&fileid=56457

Then the other devices.

Audio:

Network:

http://support.dell.com/support/downloads/download.aspx?c=us&cs=04&l=en&s=bsd&releaseid=R64645&SystemID=DIM_PNT_P4_CEL_2400&servicetag=&os=WW1&osl=en&deviceid=3597&devlib=0&typecnt=0&vercnt=2&catid=-1&impid=-1&formatcnt=0&libid=5&typeid=-1&dateid=-1&formatid=-1&source=-1&fileid=84196

Modem (if Conexant - if Intel, you will need a different one):

Video (choose the one that you have in your system - if you have questions, go to Device Manager, right click on your display device, Properties, Details tab, change dropdown to Hardware Ids, and give us the VEN and DEV ID's):

http://support.dell.com/support/downloads/driverslist.aspx?os=WW1&catid=6&dateid=-1&impid=-1&osl=EN&typeid=-1&formatid=-1&servicetag=&SystemID=DIM_PNT_P4_CEL_2400&hidos=WW1&hidlang=en&TabIndex=&scanSupported=True&scanConsent=False

Are all the Installations in the link available on the CDs I received with the Dell Dimension 2400?  I don't have access to the internet with the Dimension 2400 to download anything at this point. Thanks

The Dell Dimension 2400 has an Intel processer.

Sorry, thought you meant the processor.  Thank you so much for this info.  I will try this and get back to you.  It may take me a few days.  Thanks again.

Good luck.

Hi theflash1932 -

I successfuly installed the first three in the order you gave, the Chipset, then the Audio and Network. I am configured for the internet now.  

When I went to install the 4th device, the Modem,it unzips the files but then nothing happens, so don't know if it installed. The Modem on the Dimension 2400 is a BCM V.90 56K, so I am waiting to see if there is something else I need to download for that before I try installing the Video.

Regarding the Video download instructions you sent, there is no Display listed in Device Manager, I think it's usually listed between Disk Drives and DVD/CD Rom drivers? It is nowhere on the list.

There are only 2 items listed under the other devices that are highlighted yellow with question marks now, where there were 5 before, they are -

Universal Serial Bus (USB) Controller and Video Controller (VGA Compatible).

Thanks

The modem driver should automatically try to run after being unzipped.  However, if it does not, then browse to the unzipped folder and run HXFSetup.exe (default - C:\dell\drivers\R73044\HXFSetup.exe).

Ok ... go ahead and get the VEN and DEV ID's for the VGA controller then.

The USB controller driver on the system is "usually" found in the OS itself - occasionally found or enhanced by the chipset drivers.  I don't see any other downloads for your system that would be for a separate controller.  Do you have a USB card installed in one of the motheboard slots?  Do you have a USB hub attached - could be a USB device with additional USB ports on it - even a monitor with USB ports on it?

Please pardon the intrusion, but I have a bit of info that might help.  The Dimension 2400's I ordered in November, 2003, were shipped with a disk for Windows XP Home with Service Pack 1a, a disk with the drivers and utilities, a separate disk with drivers and utilities for the modem, and disks for the Dell and other software ordered with the computer.

USB 2.0 was still relatively new at the time and Windows required a supporting file for USB 2.0 that I found on the Utilities and Drivers disk.  I installed that driver following the chipset driver whenever I performed a reinstallation until Service Pack 2 for Windows XP was released.  If your installation disk for Windows XP includes Service Pack 2 there is no reason you should have an indication of missing driver for the USB controller.

Good call JS ... I should have though of that, given the age of the system :)

Running through the various updates on Microsoft's update site (http://microsoft.com/update) will bring you up to speed and should take care of the USB entry in Device Manager.

That was the problem I mentioned initially was that disk was not included or lost, but they kept all the disks that came with the Dimension 2400 in a cabinet and those had never been opened.  When I went to reinstall the Windows XP Home with SP1a was not there.  I called Dell about a replacement, the person I spoke with didn't have any idea.  I asked him if I could use the OP reinstallation disk from the Dell Dimension 2200 I bought in 2002 and he said that would work.  

The VEN and DEV ID's are not there for the VGA Controller under device manager. I was going to see if I could find them on one of the disks I did get with the 2400, but now I noticed the 2400 only has a 40 GB hard drive!  They upgraded the RAM to 2048 but they never upgraded the HD.  I offered to upgrade the HD for them; so I will be starting all over.  

On looking at Dell I noticed they sell HD's for the Dell Dimension 2400 up to 320GB. Can you put in an HD that big in the Dimension 2400?  

Do you know where I could find a copy of the Windows XP Home with Service pack 1a you mentioned or could I just install a new Windows XP Home Edition CD. I don't know if they're still available?  

Thanks for all your help. I didn't get the first reinstall done, but it's still a learning experience.

You don't need to reinstall for support for USB ... you only need to do the Windows Updates through at least SP2.  However, if you are planning to reinstall and want SP2 on at the time of installation (again, you don't need to - you can update post-installation), then you can use nLiteOS.com to integrate the service pack into your XP files - as part of this process, it will create a new CD from which to install.

JS might be better able to tell you if the 2400 will support drives over 137GB, but I would imagine it would be no problem.  None of the BIOS updates mention drive size support, so you should be fine.  Depending on what they are planning to store on the disk, you may not even need to upgrade the drive.  40GB (unless you are storing lots of large files like pictures, music, or video) is oodles of space to maintain a basic XP installation.

I didn't mention that I tried several times to update after getting the internet configured by doing a windows update or going to the microsoft site, but I was having a lot of trouble with the browser, getting error messages, freezing and shutting down.  I could go to some websites with no problem, but had the most trouble with microsoft and getting updates, so I was not able to.