After re-installing Windows XP, you need to re-install Desktop Software System if one is available for your model. Then re-install the chipset driver. Then other drivers.
Thank you all for your advice. I very much appreciate it.
Since posting this question I've done some research on partitioning. Here's what I've done.
I've created four partitions each of 500GB. The first is for the operating system and programs. The second is for data. The third will be a clone of the first. I can create this using Acronis. If anything happens to my first partition I can boot up on the third partition and copy this partition back to the first partition. The fourth partition is just extra space. I use Acronis to resize any of the other three partitions. I have two 1TB external drives I will use to make backups of the first partitions and my data.
I'll probably use the system I learned in graduate school. Backup the data every day for thirty days. Then discard the first day. Permanently keep the backup made on the first day of the month.
The problem I'm having now is that I can't connect to the internet. I don't have the Dell restore disks. I've tried using the drive download links that were given in the above posts, but either they're no longer active or for some reason Dell or my browser is not letting me perform downloads. Here is my latest post:
I'm unable to connect to the internet. I've tried to download the 8400 update drivers etc from the Dell website onto another Dell PC. I hoped to download them to a CD and them install them onto the 8400. Unfortunately, the Dell download site wouldn't let me download anything. I also find I'm unable to contact Dell Technical support.
Can anyone tell me:
1) which specific driver I need to download in order to get internet access on my 8400
2) how I can download the driver to a CD
3) how I install the driver on my 8400 - a) does it install automatically b) do I need to copy it to a particular folder - if so what folder?
4) is there any website other than Dell that provides Dell internet drivers? I've come across some when searching with Google, but I'm not sure which to trust and which drivers to download. I also see some people are selling Dell restore disks or their own versions of them on EBay. Again, though, I don't know if they'll have the drivers I need. So if anyone could tell me the Dell restore disks I need I would much appreciate it.
5) Any other suggestions would be very much appreciated. My real problem is, I can't get on the internet with my 8400 to get started with downloads! This is crazy!
Thanks in advance for your help. I very much appreciate it.
How to Download and Install Drivers in the Correct Order Installing the desktop/notebook system utility and the chipset drivers first, or the rest of the drivers will fail to install. These drivers control the usb attached devices, like network adapters, webcam and usb ports, just to name a few.
dave51_2fe887
2 Intern
•
1.3K Posts
0
June 9th, 2009 14:00
This is the order to install "Drivers"
http://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/dsn/en/document?journalid=1D89E1987FF611DC98696B17995A83A4&docid=3690A8CC21FAF290E040A68F5B281A12
"Drivers for the 8400".
http://support.dell.com/support/downloads/driverslist.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=gen&ServiceTag=&SystemID=DIM_PNT_P4_8400&os=WW1&osl=en&catid=&impid=
ieee488
4 Operator
•
11.1K Posts
0
June 9th, 2009 14:00
After re-installing Windows XP, you need to re-install Desktop Software System if one is available for your model. Then re-install the chipset driver. Then other drivers.
Download all drivers at http://support.dell.com
gak1952
58 Posts
0
April 19th, 2011 12:00
Thank you all for your advice. I very much appreciate it.
Since posting this question I've done some research on partitioning. Here's what I've done.
I've created four partitions each of 500GB. The first is for the operating system and programs. The second is for data. The third will be a clone of the first. I can create this using Acronis. If anything happens to my first partition I can boot up on the third partition and copy this partition back to the first partition. The fourth partition is just extra space. I use Acronis to resize any of the other three partitions. I have two 1TB external drives I will use to make backups of the first partitions and my data.
I'll probably use the system I learned in graduate school. Backup the data every day for thirty days. Then discard the first day. Permanently keep the backup made on the first day of the month.
The problem I'm having now is that I can't connect to the internet. I don't have the Dell restore disks. I've tried using the drive download links that were given in the above posts, but either they're no longer active or for some reason Dell or my browser is not letting me perform downloads. Here is my latest post:
I'm unable to connect to the internet. I've tried to download the 8400 update drivers etc from the Dell website onto another Dell PC. I hoped to download them to a CD and them install them onto the 8400. Unfortunately, the Dell download site wouldn't let me download anything. I also find I'm unable to contact Dell Technical support.
Can anyone tell me:
1) which specific driver I need to download in order to get internet access on my 8400
2) how I can download the driver to a CD
3) how I install the driver on my 8400 - a) does it install automatically b) do I need to copy it to a particular folder - if so what folder?
4) is there any website other than Dell that provides Dell internet drivers? I've come across some when searching with Google, but I'm not sure which to trust and which drivers to download. I also see some people are selling Dell restore disks or their own versions of them on EBay. Again, though, I don't know if they'll have the drivers I need. So if anyone could tell me the Dell restore disks I need I would much appreciate it.
5) Any other suggestions would be very much appreciated. My real problem is, I can't get on the internet with my 8400 to get started with downloads! This is crazy!
Thanks in advance for your help. I very much appreciate it.
PudgyOne
9 Legend
•
30.3K Posts
0
April 19th, 2011 15:00
gak1952,
Usually the procedure is...
Restoring Your Computer´s Software to the Factory Settings
The longer method is...
How To Restore or Reinstall Microsoft® Windows® on a Dell™ Computer Pay special attention to...
How to Download and Install Drivers in the Correct Order Installing the desktop/notebook system utility and the chipset drivers first, or the rest of the drivers will fail to install. These drivers control the usb attached devices, like network adapters, webcam and usb ports, just to name a few.
Rick