Network adapter driver

http://support.dell.com/support/downloads/download.aspx?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs&releaseid=R138747&SystemID=INSPIRONI6400/E1505&os=WW1&osl=en&deviceid=9540&devlib=0&typecnt=1&vercnt=5&formatcnt=1&libid=5&fileid=185739

You don't say which model computer you have, something which makes it easier to find the correct drivers.  You can find them yourself if you click on the Technical Support link at the upper left of the Dell Forum window, enter your model or Service Tag, Click on Downloads, select your operating system and look under Network.

 

Steve

That is the only driver available for the 3945 card which is the one you said you have.  Are you sure you know which wireless card you have?

 

Steve

Then you have other problems.  Why is it that you need to reinstall this driver in the first place?  Did you recently reinstall Windows?  If so, did you install the Notebook System Software the Chipset drivers before even attemptiing to install other device drivers?   Please  tell us how you got to this state where you need to install the wireless drivers.

 

Steve

It's really the chipset drivers that are most important.  If you did not install the chipset drivers first, you can try uninstalling all other device drivers, then install the chipset drivers, and then the other drivers.  Sometimes this works, sometimes it doesn't.  If it doesn't, the only recourse is start all over - reformatting, reinstalling Windows, then installing the Notebook System Software and chipset drivers before installing any other device drivers.

 

Steve

Soemtimes it works to go into Device Manager and remove devices, reboot, let Windows detect the ones it can, then install the Notebook System Software, Chipset drivers, video drivers, audio drivers, ethernet network drivers, wireless network drivers, modem drivers, and touchpad drivers  I emphasize the word sometimes.   All of these drivers, including the Notebook System Software and Chipset drivers can be found on the Downloads page for your system model.

 

Steve

Yes, it is the Intel Mobile Chipset drivers that you need to install first. 

 

Windows does not recognize most of your hardware because Windows XP was first released long before your computer and its hardware were ever even thought of.   Thus, there are few drivers that are native to Windows XP and that is why the chipset drivers must be installed first.  The chipset drivers allow Windows to communicate with the motherboard so that it can know what possible devices are present.  Then, it can associate a device with the proper hardware when you install the device driver for that particular device.

 

Steve

What chipset driver s are you talking about.  There is only one, and it must be installed first.  The notebook system software is not the critical one in this case.  It is the chipset driver that has to be installed before even attempting to install any other device drivers.  Otherwise you could find yourself in the state you are now in.

 

Steve