Modem problems since hard drive crashed

Question

I have a dimension XPST600 running 98SE and I just lost the hard drive.  Since we reinstalled the hard drive we have been able to download windows 98SE and everything seems to run ok except that I have a yellow question mark by the PCI Communication Device and I cannot connect to the internet.  I have figured out that there are no drivers for the modem.  I have the original paperwork and I have the AZTECH MDP 3880-W V.90 modem internal.  Since I know that I have to have drivers for that modem and I can't get to the internet I am trying to download the drivers for that and also the Nvidia M64 32MB graphics card from another computer onto a c.d. and run them on the PC that isn't working properly.  My problem is that I don't know how to do this.  I tried and got the modem drivers  to the c.d. but then it says it has to be unzipped and there isn't a zip program on the computer that is down.  Also on the Nvidia download I am getting the information below the download 'this file format consists of an archive of files that may be decompressed to a directory on the hard drive.  The installation can then be done from that directory'.  I have no clue what this means and how to download it to a c.d. to transfer to the downed computer.  If anyone can help me, I sure would appreciate it.  Thanks.   Pam

Majestic · Answer

Your XPS T model originally shipped with the Aztech modem drivers on a separate CD.  You might want to check to see if you still have that CD.  Otherwise click here for the Aztech modem drivers from the Dell File Library.  The file is self extracting so you do not need to use a separate unzip utility.   Likewise click here for a self extracting file of the graphic drivers you need for the Nvidia M64 card.  If you have the Dell Resource CD that came with your system the graphic drivers should be on that CD.   Just download the two files onto the computer you are temporarily using.  Then transfer the files over to your XPS T via floppy or CD disc.  Once they are transferred to the XPS T,  just run the file and you will be prompted to extract the drivers.  With each file the needed drivers will be automatically extracted to a folder/directory on your hard drive.  Then doing the installation of the drivers just refer to that folder/directory as the source to install from.

pst · Answer

Majestic,

Thanks so much for your reply to my problem. I am not very computer literate, but when I download something into my own computer I always download it, save it and then run it. Do I also run the program before I copy it to the floppy or c.d. or just download and save it and then transfer the file on the desktop over to the media? I know this sounds stupid, and it probably is, but I don't know the full process before I actually copy it.

I appreciate you taking your time to help me on this. The sites you sent me to are perfect and I have searched for a full day and didn't find those exact downloads that I needed. Thanks again.

Pam

pst · Answer

I forgot to tell you also that I didn't get an Aztech modem drivers separate CD when I got the computer.  On the new one in February, I got alot of programs as well, but when the computer crashed (after 3 months) I had to call Dell and get the resource c.d. as they had failed to send me that.  I called one evening and it was delivered the next morning (yea, Dell!!!).  I had alot of programs but not one that I needed.  On the older computer I have the resource c.d. but when I put it in it didn't seem to help on the Nvidia drivers, but it is 5 years old so there probably have been alot of updates since then that I need to follow up on.  The modem is the big problem right now, I can deal with the rest if I can get that up and running, then I can follow up on downloading the updates to get the graphics I need.     Pam

pst · Answer

Majestic,

It's so nice to know there is someone out there like you with knowledge and willling to share. I think I have the info I need now and can go from here. You are totally a genuine blessing!!

Pam

Majestic · Answer

'Do I also run the program before I copy it to the floppy or c.d. or just download and save it and then transfer the file on the desktop over to the media?'   Yes, just download the files and save them to the computer you are temporarily using.  Then copy the files to a floppy disk or CD so that you can transfer them over to your XPS T.   'I forgot to tell you also that I didn't get an Aztech modem drivers separate CD when I got the computer.'   It's very possible that Dell forgot to include the modem CD at the time the system was shipped.  I have the same modem with my XPS T and a Aztech driver CD was included.     '....but it is 5 years old so there probably have been alot of updates since then that I need to follow up on.'   If you are interested in getting the latest drivers for your video card they can be found on Nvidia's web site by clicking here.  Considering the age of your video card the latest drivers may or may not offer any performance benefit over the other drivers I directed you to.  For the time being it's probably best to stick with the drivers in Dell's File Library.

Majestic · Answer

Thank-you for your compliment.  I am more than glad to be of assistance.

Networking, Internet, & Bluetooth

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