[TheBobT]

The old hard drive on my computer crapped out so I just bought a new one and I am trying to install windows on it and I have gotten lost.

The drive I am using is http://www.seagate.com/support/disc/...100320529a.pdf

I have a dell windows cd that came with the computer, I also have the windows cd key that was used on the computer.

I put in the dell cd it went through all the steps. Everything seemed to be going fine. It never asked me for my CD key, it also never asked me if this computer would be connected to the internet.

The computer boots but the only thing on the desktop is the recycling bin. I look into the display settings and I can only get 2 screen size resolutions. I can not connect to the internet. I am confused about what I am supposted to do next.

I have been using the guides...
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html
http://pcsupport.about.com/od/operat...stxpclean1.htm

I would appreciate any help,
Thanks

[shinybeast]

Hello TheBobT

Your Dell XP CD most likely "knows" the key, that's why it didn't ask.

Have you upgraded the graphics card since you got the computer?

Open Device Manager (start > run, type devmgmt.msc and click ok)

What does it say in the Device Status box about your Network Adapters? (click the + next to network adapters in the list if it isn't expanded and double-click your adapter, report info in "Device status" box.)

Also, while you are there, check status of your Display Adapters in Device Manager.

Also please post the Dell model you have. I'm not terribly familiar with Dells so bear with me.

One other thing, did any pre-installed software get installed when you re-installed?

[shinybeast]

One more question when you get back, should've asked it earlier.

Did another CD besides the "Dell Windows CD", come with the computer (something with software and drivers)?

[TheBobT]

This is my girlfriends computer, she has no idea what she did with any of the CD's or anything that came with the computer. I had an old Dell startup disk that I have currently installed on my computer. I have another thread open here that I was inquiring about before I installed windows. I got the CD key from her version of windows and someone told me that any dell cd would work as long as I had the cd key from a preexisting windows.

There have been no modifications or upgrades to this computer since she got it (well I bought it for her, but it is hers)

It is a dell Inspiron E1505

Net adapter: 1394 Net Adapter
Device status: This device is working properly. If you are having problems with this device, click troubleshoot to start the troubleshooter.

There is also a section under Device Manager with a big yellow ? it is saying that these things are missing drivers. Here is what is missing
Base system device
Base system device
Base system device
Ethernet Controller
Network Controller
PCI Device
PCI device
SM Bus Controller
Video controller
Video Controller (VGA Compatible)

I would guess that the ethernet controller is why I am not getting internet and the video controller is the cause of the screen size errors.

Do I need to install drivers? I have another computer with internet and a 5 gb thumb drive so I can download drivers and transfer them manually if need me.

Thanks

[shinybeast]

OK, if you do not have the cd that came with that computer, you are going to have to track down the drivers. It seems you can find them here.

Also, you may have an issue with the key in 30 days. I don't know the procedure for changing keys on a Windows OS other than to wait 'til Windows isn't happy anymore and let's you know. Hope that helps

[shinybeast]

I really don't know what will happen if you try to activate windows with the wrong key. You may have to end up calling MS and explaining the situation and tell them you have the proper key but it's not the one on the installation. They might be able to help you out.

[jdean]

You might not need to activate if you're using the Dell CD on a Dell machine.

[TheBobT]

Should I download all the drivers that are recomended? Or how do I know which ones I need?

[flavallee]

TheBobT:

The drivers and downloads site for the Dell Inspiron E1505 laptop for Windows XP is located here.

The question is if your laptop has a:

ATI, Intel, or NVIDIA display adapter

Creative Labs or SIGMATEL audio device

Broadcom or Intel network adapter

Intel chipset

If we confirm the hardware specs, there's likely more updated driver versions available than what's on the Dell site.

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

[shinybeast]

Wow, there is a lot of stuff there.

Look for a service tag id on the bottom of the computer and search for that at support.dell.com. Hopefully that will narrow things down. At a minimum you will need a driver for the chipset, video, and probably network. Other ones you may need depend on any extra hardware in the machine.

[TheBobT]

Thanks for all the help and information.

1 more question. The laptop has been running louder than it ever has before and it is hotter than it ever has before. Is this a cause for concern because of the new hard drive?

Old Hard Drive: Fujitsu
Serial ATA 80GB RPM: 5.4K
Firmware#: 00850028

New Hard Drive: Seagate Momentus 7200.1
100 GB SATA/150 7200RPM 8MB 2.5HDD
part number ST910021AS-R

[shinybeast]

My hunch is that once you get the proper drivers installed, things will settle down. If it doesn't, then that is definitely something to be concerned about. Let us know how it runs once you get the drivers installed. The hard drive may generate a little more heat, but if it is enough to cause problems, I can't say.

[TheBobT]

Under the device manager I still have 5 problems with uninstalled drivers. I went to the Dell driver page and downloaded everyone that was for my computer.

I still am missing:
Base System Device
Base System Device
Base System Device
Ethernet Controller
SM Bus Controller

Is there a way I can figure out exactly what these are for? I am looking in the device manager but I can't quite understand what they do.

I also have a Sound, video and game controllers error going on,
IDT High Definition Audio CODEC (This Program Can not Start)

I am also wondering why there are no desktop icons... only the recycling bin. Do I have to manually move any ones I want onto the desktop there?

Oh, and I just installed windows service pack 3 and it got me thinking... are there any other programs or drivers or what not that I should download or that I need... Like adobe or direct x... things like that... or even microsoft updates, or even driver updates...

[shinybeast]

The default installation of XP has only the Recycle Bin on the Desktop.

There are some applications at dell support that were originally on the computer.

Now to the real problem. It seems you either didn't get the right chipset drivers or they didn't take. Did the chipset drivers you downloaded install ok?

[TheBobT]

Chipset drivers?

When I went to the dell website posted above I typed in my service tag and it gave me 10 drivers... I downloaded them all and installed them.