swoosh1014

I just bought a used Dell laptop on Amazon.com which was running Windows XP Professional. However I wanted to install Windows Media Center edition on it instead. Once the installation was complete and Windows loaded there were no icons in the system tray, (such as the wireless network connections and volume controls) I also have no audio device/ driver installed and DVD decoder. What should/ can I do to get these items back and get the most out of this OS?? Do I need another driver CD to install or am I missing something else? Any help would be greatly appreciated!

BCCOMP

Hi,
Welcome to TSF.
You need to load the drivers for your system.
If you go to the Device Manager it should show errors (yellow !).
The errors indicate most of the drivers you need.
Dell should have them on thier site:
http://support.dell.com/
Drivers and Downloads
Input the model and select your OS.
Load the chipset Driver first.
If you can POST your model, this would help.
Bill

swoosh1014

Where can I find the device manager?

Dell D610 Pentium XP MEDIA CENTER

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/AS...nnorswebguidec

Any further direction would be great! Thanks!

BCCOMP

Hi,

RIGHT CLICK My Computer and go to>Properties>Hardware Tab>Device Manager.
You will see a list of errors.
If you can post a screen shot this may help me to "see" what you may need:
http://www.techsupportforum.com/cont...icles/151.html
Thanks,
Bill

swoosh1014

I right clicked on my properties and there was no hardware tab on there, only general and shortcut

BCCOMP

RIGHT CLICK My Computer
Go to properties and left click
Left click on Hardware Tab
Left click on Device Manager
Bill

swoosh1014

There is no hardware tab once I click properties.... All I have are general and shortcut... however I did find a Device Manager from a Computer Management screen.. I am assuming its probably the same thing... I have a number of question marks under the Other Devices sections, could this be the problem?

BCCOMP

Hi,
Yes, you need to install the drivers for these devices
Here are your drivers:
http://support.dell.com/support/down...&catid=&impid=
You will not need to install alll these drivers, but I will need a screen shot or a list of the errors you have.

swoosh1014

I am not able to get an online connection with the laptop, am I able to download the drivers to a cd or flash drive and then install them that way?
As far as the image goes, I'm not sure how to do one but the options under "other devices" that have yellow question marks by them are as follows:
Ethernet controller
Multimedia audio controller
Network controller
PCI Modem
PCI Simple Communications Controller
SM Bus Controller
Video Controller
Video Controller (VGA Compatible)

BCCOMP

HI,
Go to these links and download (to Flash drive or CD)and install the drivers in this order:
Chip Set:
http://support.dell.com/support/down...&fileid=149851

Ethernet Controller LAN
http://support.dell.com/support/down...&fileid=175637

This should get you online through you LAN connection.

Now you can access this link:
http://support.dell.com/support/down...&catid=&impid=
Install the following
Audio:
http://support.dell.com/support/down...&fileid=128550

Pci Modem:
http://support.dell.com/support/down...&fileid=134327

This will leave you with the VGA error and Simple communication error.
There are several choices to choose from.
If you right click on the remaining errors> properties (left click).Details(left click). You will see a screen that will give you a Device Instance ID (VEN/DEV numbers)
Post what you find for all your remianing errors.
These numbers will help me find the remaining drivers.
Bill

swoosh1014

Thanks so much for your help! The drivers you gave me appear to have worked well, however when I go to properties on the remaining errors the only tabs I see are General, Driver, and Resources with no option for details... The remaining errors that I have are...
Network Controller
PCI Simple Communication Controller
Video Controller
Video Controller VGA Compatible

Also, is there something else I need to be able to enable my wireless internet? I am looking for a way to scan so that I can find my network and connect to it... Thanks again for your help, and I am sorry for being so unknowledgable

swoosh1014

OK, I got the wireless internet and network controller issues solved... Now the only trouble spots left on the device manager are:
PCI Simple Communication Controller
Video Controller
Video Controller VGA Compatible

BCCOMP

HI,
Try this driver for your PCI Simple Communication Controller:
http://support.dell.com/support/down...&fileid=222314

Without the info I need I will try to guess the video. Please create a restore point prior to installing the driver.
Start>All Programs>Accessories>System Tools>System Restore.
Create a Restore point.
See if this driver works:
http://support.dell.com/support/down...&fileid=120511

Let me know.
Bill

swoosh1014

I got an error message for the video that said, setup was unable to find components that can be installed on your current hardware or software configuration. Please make sure you have the required hardware or software.

BCCOMP

Hi,
As I said I am guessing here without the proper info.
Try this driver:
http://support.dell.com/support/down...&fileid=184276
What do you have left in the device manger for errors?
Bill

swoosh1014

That seemed to do the job, there are no more errors on the device manager screen! The only problem I have remaining is that I cannot play a DVD, it gives me a DVD decoder error in Windows Media Player and it just says Video error in Windows Media Center

BCCOMP

Hi,
Do you have a DVD Program such as Win DVD or Cyber Link DVD?
If not try one of these:
http://en.softonic.com/s/windows-med...er-dvd-decoder
Bill

swoosh1014

I had a disk with a DVD decoder on it that worked so it looks like that should cover just about everything... Thanks again so much for your help!

BCCOMP

Hi,
I am glad you have everything up and running
Enjoy your new machine.
Bill