Unsolved
This post is more than 5 years old
3 Posts
0
1171
February 17th, 2010 02:00
Missing drivers after re-formatting
I recently got around to trying to fix an old Dimension 4550 that I had sitting around after it got a virus or something on it. I figured I would clean out the case while I was at it, so I ended up removing all of the cards (not the RAM), cleaning them off, cleaning off heat sinks and fans and whatnot. I mentions this because I'm not sure if removing the cards is what may have caused my problem. Anyway, I had to boot from my disk drive (with the OS disk inserted), as trying to boot from the HD would cause the machine to freeze and/or crash shortly after it was turned on. I went though the re-formatting process twice by accident, as I forgot to switch back to boot from the Hard Drive.
This is when things went south. The color was all screwed up on my desktop. I thought all would have to do is go into my Display settings and change it, but when I went in to Display, I found my color was set to 4-bit and my screen resolution was ridiculously low. I didn't even know there was such a thing as 4-bit. The problem is, this is the only setting I have available. Device Manager tells me that the following are missing:
-Ethernet Controller, Multimedia Audio Controller, PCI Input Device, SM Bus Controller, Video Controller, Video Controller (VGA Compatible)
What the heck did I do wrong and how can I fix it? I'm hoping I can download the needed drivers and transfer them to the machine on a flash drive, install them, and everything will fix itself. Where can I get the needed drivers?
The OS is Windows XP Home with SP1.
0 events found
fireberd
11 Legend
•
33.4K Posts
•
112.8K Points
0
February 17th, 2010 03:00
Along with the Dell Windows XP disc you received a Drivers and Utilities disc and that has all the drivers on it. However, if it is lost HERE is the Dell downloads for your PC model. Download each needed driver individually using the Blue download button, DO NOT use the Dell download manager as it has problems.
You will need to install the Intel chipset drivers then the needed device drivers. On a new install the correct and required install sequence is (1) Install Windows (2) Install Intel Chipset Drivers (3) Install device drivers such as sound, video, ethernet, etc. The chipset drivers are key to a successful install and one of the prime things they do is define (identify) all the devices on the motherboard.
Delta120
3 Posts
0
February 19th, 2010 05:00
Alright, so I go to that link and download the chipset, easy enough. But after that, I'm a little lost. I know that the graphics card in my machine is an ATI 9700 Pro (I take it that's the missing PCI input device, or it could be the Video controller), but other than that, I have no clue as to what other drivers I'll need. When I go into device manager, the Manufacturer, provider and version of all the missing drivers is listed as Unknown or Not Available. Is there some way I can find out what parts I have so I can get the corresponding drivers?
I see no downloads for any sort of SM Bus Controller, Multimedia Audio Controller or Video Controller in your link. I think my Ethernet controller is one of the Broadcom ones, but I'm not such which. And if the ATI driver turns out to be the Video Controller, what do I need for the PCI input device, or will the chipset fix that? I'm most certain that all of the cards are PCI or PCI/e.