Getting drivers for my older Dell

Question

I recently reinstalled Windows XP on my Dell Dimension 2400 desktop. One of the big yellow items I got was that the Ethernet Controller driver was not installed. Where can I find this driver to reinstall it, and how can I reinstall it?

I had a wireless card but had to replace that, and now have a Netgear Wireless Adaptor that I plugged into a USB port on my Dell. We have a router. My Internet connection was fine before when I used the wireless card.

When I installed the Netgear Wireless Adaptor, it said I was connected to our network; however, I can't connect to the internet.

Thanks for any help.

PudgyOne · Answer

AlanGSwope,

Did you install the desktop utility and the chipset drivers first? If not, the rest of the drivers will fail to install. How to Install Drivers in Microsoft® Windows® on Dell Systems

Rick

AlanGSwope · Answer

Dear Rick,

Thank you for your advice yesterday, Tues. I put in my service tag on the Drivers and Downloads for my computer model, and it showed all of them for it. I ended up downloading everything, although some I ended up not install, as my Dell said I would have a newer driver.

Of those listed for my Dell, I didn't see any specifically called system for a category, but I did download the Dimension System BIOS first, and then the Chipset drivers. My monitor went from a default monitor to a plug and play, and it set the resolution at the max, so my antivirus, Panda, will work. All the device manager yellow question marks for these drivers, Ethernet Controller, Multimedia Audio Controller, SM Bus Controller, and Video Controller, are gone now.

I installed the drivers listed for my computer according to the Driver install order for desktops and laptops. However, I have some left in these categories:

Applications (some digital items, such as DigitalMedia and Record Now)

CD/DVD (various firmware, SMART Utility, CD or DVD ROM +-RW)

Diagnostics (32 bit GUI version)

IDE & EIDE Controllers (Hitachi hardware or Samsung Firmware)

I didn't see these specifically mentioned in the Driver install order document. Should I be concerned about installing them? If so, should I just install them at the end?

I haven't gotten my internet to work yet, but I need to download the SP 1 Hotfix file. I have yet to install SP2 and SP3.

Thank you so much for your help yesterday. I was able to make major progress, and hopefully I can help someone in the future.

PudgyOne · Answer

AlanGSwope,

Most have desktop/notebook utility and there are some that don't and your model is one of them. So just installing them in the correct order helped.

If the updates download and fail to install, let me know.

Rick

Networking, Internet, & Bluetooth

Getting drivers for my older Dell

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