You should find the appropriate drivers for your laptop on this page: Latitude CPi Drivers. I see no chipset driver for this model, but due to the resources required I suggest you install the drivers for the video and sound first. Some additional information will be found here: Installing Windows on Latitude CPi A Series, or if you have the CPi -R, see this: Installing Windows on Latitude CPi R Series <ADMIN NOTE: Broken link has been removed from this post by Dell> .
On the drivers page linked above you will find a note from Dell giving information on how to obtain specific drivers for your laptop. Using the link provided may reduce the confusion a bit on which drivers you need to install. As there is no chipset driver I believe it is safe to assume that the driver for the chipset is included in Windows 98.
As for your questions:
a. I would recommend that you leave the BIOS alone for a machine of this vintage, especially if the OS you are reinstalling is the original operating system. If you do decide to flash the BIOS, however, you should be aware that there are some peculiarities with regard to Windows 98. This note begins showing up in BIOS update A08, and I'm afraid I don't know how critical it is. Given that ACPI deals a lot with how the computer works with hibernate and standby modes you might find some interesting behavior if you decide to update the BIOS and ignore the Dell note. Dell's note on this topic is here:
For systems using Windows 98 version 4.10.1998, the RUN_ME.REG utility available on this diskette should be installed before upgrading to this BIOS. Installing this utility will prevent Windows 98 version 4.10.1998 from converting to ACPI mode when hardware detection is performed. See README.TXT, included on this diskette, for more details.
*** Please Note *** This utility has been updated. All Windows 98 version 4.10.1998 users are encouraged to install this utility, even if they have previously installed an earlier version.
b. Absence of the chipset driver has been noted. Windows 98 included a number of drivers for various chipsets when it was issued and I assume this was one of them.
c. The only two devices that should really be installed early are as described above, the video and sound. I would follow that with the drivers for your Ethernet port if you have one. On this computer a network port was not provided on the motherboard and if you have one it was a PC card installed in the card bay. In order for that to work you will need to load the drivers for the cardbus before you load those for the card itself. In system utilities you will find drivers for the docking system and the bay that you use to hold your CD/Diskette Drive.
EDIT: On the Drivers Page you will need to click the arrow to the right of the Operating System field to switch the drivers list to the page for Windows 98.
Which drivers? If you are talking about the video, sound, and other drivers, they are self-extracting zip files. I generally copy each to its own directory on the hard drive and double click the file to bring up the self-extractor. For the video and other drivers doing this causes a dialog box to be displayed asking if you wish to run the file, and when you select to run the file, another message pops up telling you that the directory the application wants to write to does not exist, and would you like the directory to be created. Naturally you should indicate "yes". The extractor should run to completion, you may need to click to close the dialog box, and then an install wizard should pop up to perform the actual installation.
I'm pretty certain I've run these from a CD, so I don't know where the "protected" message is coming from. If you are trying to install the BIOS flash, however, that can be a problem. The BIOS flash files are designed to be run from a DOS prompt, not Windows. One of the files self extracts to a program that creates a bootable DOS diskette that you would place in the 3.5" drive and boot up in order to perform the flash. The second extracts directly to the bare BIOS flash file, but you need to execute the file by copying it to a 3.5" diskette that already has the DOS system files on it so that you can boot from it. This file executes by booting the diskette, and after you get the "A:" prompt, typing the name of the flash file to include the .exe extension.
The system in question far predates XP - it would not have shipped with it. The only solution to your problem is to purchase a new copy of XP at retail, and activate it when requested.
I thought I mentioned that it is not that same laptop we had dealt before.
This one is an Inspiron. Sorry, that I forgot to submit that vital info to you. Therefore, kindly re-review the problem under this new information.
The Windows original sticker has DELL logo on it. I can give you the product number etc. if only I knew which one of those a few underneath the laptop is applicable.
We put all our software docs and cds in one location. I could not find a specific DELL cd, in fact never thought of it. I used one of the XP Home CDs we have. I will look once again for a DELL CD, however, shouldn't it work since the key is valid. What would happen if I can not find that specific CD please.
When we bought this Inspiron my assistant had dealt with them. I unfortunately, do not remember/know much about whether and if yes how it was registered. But one thing I know yes we are the first owner and still the user of this laptop. I have a paper insert in its user manual, stating no CD was supplied with it, and that it would not be necessary. I herewith attached sending it. It offers two alternate solutions but, I have unfortunately formatted the disk, therefore I believe these alternative would not be applicable for me. I did fill out a CD request form and submitted it but do you think a download would be possible i/o a cD sent please?
jackshack
6.4K Posts
0
May 23rd, 2010 10:00
You should find the appropriate drivers for your laptop on this page: Latitude CPi Drivers. I see no chipset driver for this model, but due to the resources required I suggest you install the drivers for the video and sound first. Some additional information will be found here: Installing Windows on Latitude CPi A Series, or if you have the CPi -R, see this: Installing Windows on Latitude CPi R Series <ADMIN NOTE: Broken link has been removed from this post by Dell> .
On the drivers page linked above you will find a note from Dell giving information on how to obtain specific drivers for your laptop. Using the link provided may reduce the confusion a bit on which drivers you need to install. As there is no chipset driver I believe it is safe to assume that the driver for the chipset is included in Windows 98.
As for your questions:
a. I would recommend that you leave the BIOS alone for a machine of this vintage, especially if the OS you are reinstalling is the original operating system. If you do decide to flash the BIOS, however, you should be aware that there are some peculiarities with regard to Windows 98. This note begins showing up in BIOS update A08, and I'm afraid I don't know how critical it is. Given that ACPI deals a lot with how the computer works with hibernate and standby modes you might find some interesting behavior if you decide to update the BIOS and ignore the Dell note. Dell's note on this topic is here:
For systems using Windows 98 version 4.10.1998, the RUN_ME.REG utility available on this diskette should be installed before upgrading to this BIOS. Installing this utility will prevent Windows 98 version 4.10.1998 from converting to ACPI mode when hardware detection is performed. See README.TXT, included on this diskette, for more details.
*** Please Note ***
This utility has been updated. All Windows 98 version 4.10.1998 users are encouraged to install this utility, even if they have previously installed an earlier version.
b. Absence of the chipset driver has been noted. Windows 98 included a number of drivers for various chipsets when it was issued and I assume this was one of them.
c. The only two devices that should really be installed early are as described above, the video and sound. I would follow that with the drivers for your Ethernet port if you have one. On this computer a network port was not provided on the motherboard and if you have one it was a PC card installed in the card bay. In order for that to work you will need to load the drivers for the cardbus before you load those for the card itself. In system utilities you will find drivers for the docking system and the bay that you use to hold your CD/Diskette Drive.
EDIT: On the Drivers Page you will need to click the arrow to the right of the Operating System field to switch the drivers list to the page for Windows 98.
itsx
9 Posts
0
May 23rd, 2010 16:00
LackShack thank you for this in depth information and your prompt help.
I will do as you advise.
Appreciated
itsx
9 Posts
0
May 23rd, 2010 17:00
How do I install these drivers?
I have put them onto a CD and clicked to run, I get an error message " Cannot run under a protected environment"
What should I do please?
jackshack
6.4K Posts
0
May 23rd, 2010 19:00
Which drivers? If you are talking about the video, sound, and other drivers, they are self-extracting zip files. I generally copy each to its own directory on the hard drive and double click the file to bring up the self-extractor. For the video and other drivers doing this causes a dialog box to be displayed asking if you wish to run the file, and when you select to run the file, another message pops up telling you that the directory the application wants to write to does not exist, and would you like the directory to be created. Naturally you should indicate "yes". The extractor should run to completion, you may need to click to close the dialog box, and then an install wizard should pop up to perform the actual installation.
I'm pretty certain I've run these from a CD, so I don't know where the "protected" message is coming from. If you are trying to install the BIOS flash, however, that can be a problem. The BIOS flash files are designed to be run from a DOS prompt, not Windows. One of the files self extracts to a program that creates a bootable DOS diskette that you would place in the 3.5" drive and boot up in order to perform the flash. The second extracts directly to the bare BIOS flash file, but you need to execute the file by copying it to a 3.5" diskette that already has the DOS system files on it so that you can boot from it. This file executes by booting the diskette, and after you get the "A:" prompt, typing the name of the flash file to include the .exe extension.
itsx
9 Posts
0
May 25th, 2010 15:00
Thank you my mistake.
I got it up and running now.
Appreciated.
jackshack
6.4K Posts
0
May 25th, 2010 20:00
That is good to know. I'm happy I could help. Best of luck to you!
itsx
9 Posts
0
June 15th, 2010 13:00
Today I have a different problem on another Dell Laptop.
I had to reinstall XP Home on this machine and now I can not get it to activate.
It did not connect to internet, so I tried the phone activation. But I can not get an Installation ID.
I tried regenerating it, no avail.
Key is real since it is on the machine with the original sticker.
Microsoft rep told me to contact the manufacturer. And here I am.
What could you advise me to solve this please.
Kindly,
ejn63
9 Legend
•
87.5K Posts
0
June 15th, 2010 16:00
The system in question far predates XP - it would not have shipped with it. The only solution to your problem is to purchase a new copy of XP at retail, and activate it when requested.
itsx
9 Posts
0
June 15th, 2010 18:00
I thought I mentioned that it is not that same laptop we had dealt before.
This one is an Inspiron. Sorry, that I forgot to submit that vital info to you. Therefore, kindly re-review the problem under this new information.
The Windows original sticker has DELL logo on it. I can give you the product number etc. if only I knew which one of those a few underneath the laptop is applicable.
Awaiting yours,
ejn63
9 Legend
•
87.5K Posts
0
June 15th, 2010 18:00
If you installed Windows using a Dell CD, it would not have required the license key nor activation. Did you use something other than an OEM Dell CD?
itsx
9 Posts
0
June 16th, 2010 00:00
We put all our software docs and cds in one location. I could not find a specific DELL cd, in fact never thought of it. I used one of the XP Home CDs we have. I will look once again for a DELL CD, however, shouldn't it work since the key is valid. What would happen if I can not find that specific CD please.
Rgrds
ejn63
9 Legend
•
87.5K Posts
0
June 16th, 2010 04:00
OEM keys are tied to OEM CDs - you cannot use an OEM key with a non-OEM CD. That is the problem.
itsx
9 Posts
0
June 16th, 2010 06:00
Thank you for all your prompt messages.
Unfortunately, I could not find such a CD. What should I do?
Kindly,
ejn63
9 Legend
•
87.5K Posts
0
June 16th, 2010 17:00
If you're the registered owner you can request a CD here:
http://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/dellcare/en/backupcd_form?c=us&l=en&s=gen&redirect=1
itsx
9 Posts
0
June 17th, 2010 17:00
When we bought this Inspiron my assistant had dealt with them. I unfortunately, do not remember/know much about whether and if yes how it was registered. But one thing I know yes we are the first owner and still the user of this laptop. I have a paper insert in its user manual, stating no CD was supplied with it, and that it would not be necessary. I herewith attached sending it. It offers two alternate solutions but, I have unfortunately formatted the disk, therefore I believe these alternative would not be applicable for me. I did fill out a CD request form and submitted it but do you think a download would be possible i/o a cD sent please?