mferg1023,

1394 is a firewaire adapter.

When you installed the operating system, did you install the desktop/notebook system utility and the chipset drivers first? If not, the rest of the drivers will fail to install. How to Download and Install Drivers in the Correct Order

You should be able to start with the desktop/noteoobk system utility and the chipset drivers, then install everything in order. Things should start working.

Rick

i'll give it a shot here in a bit and see how that works.  thanks for the advice.

well...i downladed those things in order.  although i did not see all of the item on that list on the list of drivers for the 8600.  still no luck.

mferg1023,

You used Internet Explorer and downloaded the drivers, in your browser?

How to by-pass the Dell Download Manager

Install these first...

Dell Notebook System Software and Intel Mobile Chipset

Then install Broadcom 440x 10/100 Integrated Controller

You should be able to connect with the ethernet cable,

Then go to Dell Warranty Status enter your service tag number, click on origional configuration and see which wireless adapter you have installed.

Download the drivers from Drivers & Downloads enter your service tag number and then download the correct drivers for your network adapter.

Then download Dell QuickSet

Then you'll just need the other drivers, like audio and video to install. Anything else in the device manager with yellow exclaimination marks and red x's will also need installed.

Rick

mferg1023,

Try this and see if your wireless adapter is an Intel Adapter.Intel® Driver Update Utility

You nshould still be able to see the origional configuration, even if your warranty is expired.

Rick

thanks for your assistance with this. i can connect with the ethernet cable.  te laptop is past warranty so i can't get original configuration.  and i don't know if i'm just selecting the wrong driver or what but it's still not recognizing that wireless adapter.

this is what i got when i ran the intel driver update utility:

Wireless Networking (WiFi)  

Product Detected  

Current Driver Installed  

This device is unknown or unsupported. Please contact the manufacturer for possible updates.

The laptop has a 1394 Net adapter...

Dumb question - If you cannot access the internet, are you getting the downloads from another computer onto a CD and then loading via the CD?  I am having the same problem with my D630.

mferg1023,

Open the cover and look at the adapter to see which one you have. CLICK HERE

Rick

i can access the net when i plug in an ethernet cable.  it's not recognizing the wireless card.

Intel Model: WM3A2100

mferg1023,

Intel (R) Pro/Wireless 2100 LAN miniPCI Adapter

Rick

no luck

who knew i'd have so many issues when i switched to xp???

YOU DA MAN!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks for your assistance.  I do appreciate it.

mferg1023,

You can get online using the ethernet cable, correct? If so, with the computer online, right click on the adapter and left click update driver. Have it check online for drivers. See if it installs. If not, then try uninstalling the adapter and restart your computer. When you log back in, Windows will look for the drivers and try to install the proper drivers.

Rick