pilotinspektor

I have a Dell Inspiron E1505. It's two, maybe even three, years old. Recently, turning the laptop on, it came up with the whole 'file missing or corrupt' thing, and it was regarding the c_1252.nls folder. I had already planned on taking my computer to 'fix' it, I had a free diagnostic and everything; there were a few issues I already knew/had, like the screen having lines at the bottom, the battery not holding a charge, and the cd/dvd drive not reading.

I knew I had to repair Windows, but I didn't have the original CDs. I contacted Dell, and they ended up confusing me, but sending the CDs. I was going to repair Windows (because I've been told the reinstalling is much more difficult) but I realized I had a lot of data and such that I needed backed up. I got everything backed up. They told me I couldn't do anything else without pay a lot of money. Repairing/Reinstalling wouldn't work because the drive couldn't read the CD. The screen would be 260+ dollars, and so on.

I ended up reinstalling Windows, it was able to read the CD; I pressed f12 at startup, and it clickingg CD/DVD, and it all workds fine.

However, now, while I have internet explorer, the games and such. I don't have any of Microsoft Office, or all the programs (fireworks, adobe, etc) that came on my computer. Not just that, but now I can't even connect to the internet, or even a wireless network. There's supposed to be the LAN connection, and then my wireless connection, in the Network Connections, but there's only the 1394 Connection.

If I could just connect to the wireless, or internet, I could actually use the computer, getting my programs back on there and such.

I'm completely stuck. The only way to get my computer to read the CD is to press f12 at startup, and click the CD/DVD Drive. So, reinstalling Microsoft Office (my roommate just bought it, so I have a CD to install it) is going to be difficult. I don't have the money, though, to shell out 260 bucks on the screen (I don't mind the screen, I mean, I can live with that more than anything else. I can even live with the battery not holding a charge and always having the laptop pugged in; but the CD drive is probably the most likely to frustrate and limit me).

I've been told to just give up, donate the computer, and get another one. But, I don't want to pay even 800 bucks for a new one. And, I don't know where to get a nice one for less than that. I've kind of lost hope on this, I mean, if I could just connect to wireless (it was able to connect before the missing/corrupt issue, and even the reinstalling XP issue; we've had wireless here, for years, and it's always done fine [it has the built-in wireless card, too, if that makes a difference]), in order to be able to get some programs back, and for my computer to be functioning again; then I would be so stressed and worried about getting a new one.

Can you help me?

TriggerFinger

I suggest you try replacing the CD/DVD drive. Try eBay or this one:

http://www.powerbrixx.com/dell-inspi...ve-p-1130.html

pilotinspektor

Will that allow me to gain access to wireless networks and such?

TriggerFinger

That would help you install the drivers via the CD that were sent to you. Check with Device Manager on the status of wireless and LAN connection.

BCCOMP

I do not understand?
If you were able to load windows via your CD-Rom then your CD-rom should be OK.
You may have to install some drivers as TriggerFinger suggested.
Can you go to the device manager and post the errors you have (yellow !)
Bill