Hi everyone,

I just reformatted my drive yesterday and it hasn't gone very well.  I want(ed) a clean install so as i have done in the past i deleted the existing partition and created a new one.  However, after windows has been reinstalled things are not right at all.

 Firstly there are no icons on my desktop at all, it seems like many of my drivers have been installed as the ethernet controller, the multimedia audio controller, SM bus controller and video controller have a exclamation mark and question mark next to them in device manager.  I k now for some of them i may have to download/obtain my own drivers but surely windows generic drivers will work for some of them at least.

Also, my resolution is fixed at 640x480 and i can't change it since colour quality cannot be changed from medium (16bit; it is the only option.)  I've not done anything else on it so haven't uncovered more problems.

However, i was able to install the drivers for my router and get onto the web but i noticed that i was able to surf immediately; what should have happened is i should have only been able to browse to one site called voyager.home and enter my username and password there but i was able to browse wherever i wanted, plus when i went to voyager.home my username and password were already entered and i was connected.

I have reformatted with the Dell disc i received with my computer and also with another disc from a friend (legal as i have my own product key) many times and noticed differences each times (both also didn't install properly):

Dell XP CD:
1. In Installation i'm not even asked for product key
2. Doesn't ask me to confirm my networking settings in installation
3. Don't get the welcome to windows set-up (e.g. where you can enter the no. and name of users you want)
4. Very quick to install (supposed to take 39 mins but takes 15 mins; 20mins max.)

Other XP CD:
1. Takes a slightly longer time to install but still not 39 mins.
2.  No networking setting windows in installation.
3. No Welcome to windows set-up.
4.  Resolution very poor - can't even change it (should be able to as generic windows drivers should install monitor).

I don't understand why this is happening, i've wiped the drive many times and its always gone fine.  The last wipe i did was with the Dell XP CD and i have done two with each disc in the past day or so.  Any help would be greatly appreciated!