Dell Dimension 8300 can't connect to internet through ethernet cable

I also just realized I should probably include that I was messing around with windows 7 on this computer a few days ago and the internet worked fine on there, and it works with ubuntu, so it almost has to be an xp problem

XP is picky about the order of driver &  software installation. The Desktop System Software must be installed first along with the Chipset drivers or the other drivers will not install properly. Get the Desktop system software from Dell Downloads for your model under System Utilities.

 wazzy 

The DSS is not required for the Dmension 8300, that's why there is no DSS download available.

The Chipset needs to be the first driver to load.

Bev.

The chipset drivers are installed now and I am having the exact same problem.  I uninstalled the unknown ethernet controller and am restarting my computer to see if windows will manually detect and install the updated driver i have put on but I'm not hopeful.  Is there a specific folder I need to put the updated drivers into when uploading them onto the desktop from my USB?  

*Update*

Upon restarting my computer, I instantly got a "Found new hardware" message..the prompt goes on to ask me if it can connect to windows update to search for software.  I have to click "NO" because I can't connect to the internet in the first place. 

After clicking no, this is what the found new hardware wizard says:

"this wizard helps you install software for ethernet controller.  If your hardware came with an installation CD or floppy disk, insert it now. What do you want the wizard the wizard to do?" my options are: "install the software automatically (recommended) or install from a list or specific location (advanced)"

If I choose option one, it spends a few minutes searching, but in the end it says "The wizard could not find the software on your computer for ethernet controller, it is recommended that you connect to the internet so the wizard can search online and look for software", I then have an option to connect to the internet to search for software. I can't connect  to the internet, so if I choose "no" the wizard closes and I'm out of luck.

If I choose option two, I have several more options: "search for the best driver in these locations: search removable media AND/OR include this location in the search" I don't know what I should do here, but when I tell it to search for the best driver, I again come up empty handed.  The other option I have is to "choose which driver to install" i then get a big list of drivers to choose from and again I have no idea where to even get started. I've fiddled around in here a little bit but don't see any ethernet controller options.  

Once I fail to update the driver I get an error saying "there was a problem with hardware installation, your hardware may not work properly" and I am then back to square one. 

Hopefully this is detailed enough for someone to give me an idea of what to do next.  I'd like to get this computer up and running as a backup if possible...

Thanks so much I'll give it a shot.

I'm assuming this is the correct order?

http://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/kcs/document?c=us&l=en&s=gen&docid=DSN_1A0C0937D62A8739E0401E0A55174744&isLegacy=true

Is there a way to know which things I need to download and which ones I don't need?

For example, under network there are 2 recommended downloads and then 7 optional.  Do I grab all of them, or would broadcom - driver be the only one i really need? Just don't want to screw it up again :/

wazzy

i don't know the configuration of your Dimension 8300, so I'll have to make some assumptions.

Guess you don't have the Drivers and Utilties CD.

Note: If you try to load an non-compatible driver, it usually will not install and give an error message

If you have the integrated network and not Wireless, my bet would be on the Intel 10/100 LOM driver. But, personally I would download the Broadcom driver also. 

Are you using the integrated graphics, or a AGP card?

If you are using the Integrated Audio, download the ADI !98x Integrated Audio driver.

As you have NIC [Network], none of the Modem drivers are needed.

Bev.

Thanks so much for the help, the computer is up and running on the internet now.  Probably wouldn't have gotten it to work without your help.  Turns out the main issue was that the broadcom driver I kept trying wasn't what I needed to use.  Once I tried the Intel 10/100 LOM driver, it almost instantly started working :)

Thanks so much for the help, the computer is up and running on the internet now.  Probably wouldn't have gotten it to work without your help.  Turns out the main issue was that the broadcom driver I kept trying wasn't what I needed to use.  Once I tried the Intel 10/100 LOM driver, it almost instantly started working :)

wazzy

You are welcome, sounds like my assumption about the Intel 10/100 LOM driver was correct. :emotion-21:

Bev.

Your assumptions surely were correct.  :emotion-1:

I've run into one more slightly less annoying problem, when I try to install the audio drivers I get this error: 

"error installing iKernel.exe (0X10000)" right when install shield opens up.  I've been googling for a fix, but almost all the links I follow are dead because they're too old.  Is this a common problem?  I'm scared something isn't right and I'll have to do the whole process over...or (more likely) live with a mute computer.

wazzy

Sorry, I cannot help with the *iKernel.exe (0X10000)* issue, as I've never received that error myself, suggest try posting this in the post Audio forum HERE.

Bev.

Well, I don't know what was going on because I rebooted for the 10th time and now it's working just fine.

Thanks again for all your help!

wazzy

Happy to hear the Dimension 8300 is running again.  :emotion-2:

Ain't computers fun. :emotion-4:

Bev.