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Solved: Problem with video driver after clean install of Win XP

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SkyBeing's Avatar
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07-Mar-2009, 06:19 PM #1
Solved: Problem with video driver after clean install of Win XP
Good afternoon guys,

After "clean-installing" Win XP (Home) on my Dell Inspiron 6400, I realized I forgot to save my drivers on a CD. Furthermore, I can't remember what kind of video card I had (not a big gamer as you can see!). I sure rememeber having a much nicer look and feel for my destop though! I have managed to find all the drivers I need (I think!) except for my video card. After reviewing my purchasing receipt, I have only the following information regarding the video card:

"UF357 Module, Card, Graphics, 256MB, M52"

I don't know about you but that didn't help me much. I remember having some version of the ATI Catalyst Control Centre (which wasn't working all that well either) installed before the clean install. My question is the following:

Is there a way to reliably identify the video card installed in the computer without opening it up? (I really don't trust myself with that task)

My goal is to ultimately identify the required video card driver, download it, install it, and hopefully get on with my life! I have vague recollections of having some sort of Radeon video card but I'm not sure. I definitely had the ATI CCC installed though.

If you need further information on my system please state so. Any help will be appreciated.

Thanks in advance,

Jonathan

Last edited by SkyBeing; 07-Mar-2009 at 06:22 PM.. Reason: Minor mistakes
jack-o-bytes's Avatar
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07-Mar-2009, 06:25 PM #2
When you boot up the computer the first screen that comes up with the white writing should say what the graphics card is. You will only have a short time to read it though so you may have to turn your computer on and off a few times. Just look at the first screen.
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07-Mar-2009, 06:27 PM #3
http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html If you can get online here's an app that is free that should tell you what you run in your system. Jazz
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07-Mar-2009, 07:15 PM #4
If its a Dell laptop then all the drivers and utilities should be available for download at the Dell website: http://support.dell.com/support/down...&catid=&impid=

If you had the ATI CCC installed then you should have an ATI video card and it looks like its a Radeon X1300 or x1400.
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07-Mar-2009, 07:46 PM #5
Jonathan:

This is the drivers and downloads site for the Dell Inspiron 6400 laptop.

Leave the default selections "Windows XP - English - All - All" as they are, then click the + in "Video" to expand the list.

The topmost entry is the ATI driver for the display adapter described by Triple6.

------------------------------------------------------------------

As you've already discovered, it comes in real handy to have the drivers saved to a CD-R before you do a format and clean install of XP.

Now might be a good time to do that - as soon as you confirm which ones from the Dell site that you need.

The chipset, display adapter, sound device, and network adapters drivers are the most important ones to burn off and save.

------------------------------------------------------------------

Last edited by flavallee; 07-Mar-2009 at 07:56 PM..
SkyBeing's Avatar
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07-Mar-2009, 07:58 PM #6
It works now!
Thank you all for your helpful tips. Special thanks to Triple6 and Flavallee. It worked like a charm.

Thanks again,

Jonathan
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07-Mar-2009, 08:00 PM #7
Glad to be of help
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ati, card, hardware, video, winxp

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