Clean install... then came the drivers

Question

I have a Dimension 2400 that I recently performed a clean install of XP Home on using the reinstallation CD. That went fine, now my problem is the drivers. I have my driver CD and have tried to use it, but I don't get it. Every guide I can find leads me through the clean install and then finishes with 'and then install the drivers and voila! you're all set.' Wha? Can anyone tell me in more detail how to do this? I've searched for over an hour and cannot find anything that helps, and I'm getting really frustrated. I know there's an order they need to be installed in, but aside from that I'm clueless. Thanks in advance for your help! And you don't have to talk to me like I'm four. Let's say... an advanced ten. :)

aviator686 · Answer

Will 12 do? I just did a clean install on mt Dim 4550 last month. After I installed XP, then installed SP2. Then, I used the resource CD to install the drivers starting with the chipset driver first followed by video, audio, ect. The drivers self extracted using the resource CD. It just take a little while to get them loaded. After all the drivers were loaded connected to the internet and download a ton of MS Windows updates.

If you look at the link for the 2400 under drivers there are instructions on how to install the drivers. As an example I click on the Intel Chipset utility and the instructions are on the left. Hope this helps.

http://support.dell.com/support/downloads/driverslist.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=gen&ServiceTag=&SystemID=DIM_PNT_P4_CEL_2400&os=WW1&osl=en&catid=&impid=

Dell XPS 600 3.0ghz
2gb Ram
WD 160gb Sata HD
DVD-ROM
DVD-RW (Plextor 760A)
Creative XF-I Extreme Music
Logitech X-540 5.1 Surrond speakers
EVGA 256mb 7950GT
Dell 2007WFP (I-SPS panel)
13-1 Card Reader
NSW 2006
NIS 2006
Win XP Home SP2
BIOS A11

simpswr · Answer

XP will usually include the drivers for the 2400 . . have you looked in Device Manager to see if any are missing?

peepers626 · Answer

Well, I'm not sure what was included. I was following this guide http://www.windowsreinstall.com/winxphome/sp2installxpcdoldhdd/indexfullpage.htm and when I got to the Part 6 on the website, nothing like that ever came up on my screen. My screen resolution is fixed at 800x600 and 16-bit color. I have the disc that says it has the drivers for the monitor, but I can't find them. Did I do something wrong during the XP install?

RoHe · Answer

A precocious 4-yr old you are too. :D

Go here and put in your Dell Service Tag number. Should be a sticker on the tower with that number (not the XP license number).

http://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/my_systems_info/en/details?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs&~tab=2&~ck=ln&lnki=0

That link will tell you what hardware was installed by Dell when you purchased the system. Then go here and follow the links to find all the drivers for the hardware that the previous site says is installed. Obviously, if you added any hardware after receiving the system, you'll need those drivers too.

http://lt.dell.com/lt/lt.aspx?CID=18958&LID=430618&DGC=IR&DGSeg=DHS&DURL=http://support.dell.com/support/downloads/index.aspx?c%3dus%26l%3den%26s%3dgen

Ron

hrova · Answer

See of this helps.. You can click on each item in the link for more details...

http://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/dsn/en/tree?c=us&l=en&s=gen&treeid=FFA33DA99941FEDFE030030ABD62041A&journalid=D0DB47BC2C1111DCAE72BF5452BB596A

peepers626 · Answer

Okay, I really just don't get it. When I put the driver cd in, there's a list of stuff, some of which has checkmarks. Does this mean the drivers for these things are already installed? Also, does the monitor need a driver? I have the monitor cd, and that says the drivers are on there, but I don't see how to get to them. Honestly, I'm really trying quite hard not to sound stupid. Can anyone help me?

simpswr · Answer

Look in Device Manager ( Right click on My Computer . . select Manage . . Device Manager )  See what Devices are marked as Unknown or have a yellow ! in front . . Those are the ones you need to load the drivers for.   The monitor driver is not necessary, but does not hurt to load.   From what you have said, you need the Video Adaptor driver . . and you can find that by clicking on the Drivers and Downloads button in the left panel of this page . .

aviator686 · Answer

ellemkay wrote:
Okay, I really just don't get it. When I put the driver cd in, there's a list of stuff, some of which has checkmarks. Does this mean the drivers for these things are already installed? Also, does the monitor need a driver? I have the monitor cd, and that says the drivers are on there, but I don't see how to get to them. Honestly, I'm really trying quite hard not to sound stupid. Can anyone help me?

Those checkmarks mean the drivers need to be installed for your system. It might be helpful if you would post your system specs on your 2400. this is what the Device Manager looks like.

Dell XPS 600 3.0ghz
2gb Ram
WD 160gb Sata HD
DVD-ROM
DVD-RW (Plextor 760A)
Creative XF-I Extreme Music
Logitech X-540 5.1 Surrond speakers
EVGA 256mb 7950GT
Dell 2007WFP (I-SPS panel)
13-1 Card Reader
NSW 2006
NIS 2006
Win XP Home SP2
BIOS A11

Windows General

Clean install... then came the drivers

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