Old DELL - Reinstall XP (drivers)

Thanks Dan,

I clicked on your first link and it says
"If you're updating just one computer, please visit Windows Update".

What should I do?

Download the packages from the links I gave you.

You can use Windows Update to get them, but that will take longer and it's more error prone.

Dan,

Are you still there? !!

I have installed the first two links that you gave me.

The third link ..
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=8483

For whatever reason .. it is not downloading..
It also gives me a number of tick boxes to choose from (see link)
http://screencast.com/t/xcylCwvToNsP

Which boxes should I tick?

Any idea why it will not start downloading?

I have installed the first two links that you gave me.

GREAT! This means that you're now running XP SP3, which is the latest service pack for XP, which means that you can now receive updates through Windows Update. I advise you let it update your system fully before Microsoft pulls the plug on April.

For the final download, check the first box (WindowsXP-KB942288-v3-x86.exe) and then press on Next.

HTH,
Dan

OK Dan,

Thanks for help so far.

I made a movie for you!

http://screencast.com/t/wdS4hR1xMGdu

This shows what happens when I try to download the final link.

Strange?? Perhaps you could try it.

Then get the System Sotware, and Chipset downloads from
http://www.dell.com/support/drivers/us/en/19/Product/latitude-d620
and proceed to install the drivers in the order given in
this Dell article.

Use Internet Explorer and you'll be able to download the file.

When something does not work on Microsoft sites, fall back to Internet Explorer. MS does not always play nice with different browsers.

here is how i find the drivers i need :

if you have  unknown devices in device manager, you can use this procedure to identify them :

1-visit the motherboard manufacturers support site, for downloading drivers; select proper OS !
2- use windows update >optional updates to find them

3-Start>Programs>Accessories>System Tools>System Information.
Now select  "Components" and highlight "Problem Devices".
All hardware devices with a driver problem will be listed here.
Make a note of the first line of the PNP Device ID line of the entry. It will show a Vendor number and a Device number (VENxxxxDEVxxxx) both four digits long.
Look up those numbers here:   http://www.pcidatabase.com/index.php

This will tell you the manufacturer and the chip number.  
Check the manufacturer's website first or google them - or post them here

If your LAN is running, you can also use windows update> optional drivers, or  use slimdrivers : https://www.slimwareutilities.com/slimdrivers.php

***on old systems - i suggest opening the box, and cleaning all fans and vents from dust
verify also is all fans are running: CPU, case, and PS

For DELL machine, first locate the service tag so that the exact build and component could be found via the link below as the same model has different types of wifi cards,

http://www.dell.com/support/my-support/us/en/19/Products/

Give us the service tag so that we can extract the .inf driver out of the correct driver package.

On Dell machine you should follow the directions in the article I linked in http:#a39828400

When it's time to install the wireless driver all you have to decide is Intel or Dell drivers...
the Intel drivers cover the 3945ABG and 4965AGN, and the Dell package covers the 1390, 1395, 1490 and 1505 MiniCards. The WiFi card should be identified to that level in Device Manager by then.

Regarding the Windows updates, you have to keep running the check for updates over and over until it loads everything.  With a new install of XP, this can take all day by itself.  Once that is done and Windows updates says there are no critical updates, then you can go to Dell Support for the rest of the drivers you need.  www.dell.com/support

Dewsbury, how is it going?  any news?

Folks,

I am the original poster.
The feedback to this query has been superb (which is not unusual!).

I have progressed the "re-build" of my PC and met a few issues along the way - and indeed overcome them.

I feel slightly guilty for not closing the call (!) but hope to finalise the matter in the next day or so.

Thanks all for assistance.

I disagree with the advice given in http:#a39837476... as soon as it's done doing the original installation and allows you to logon you should install the Chipset driver (or in the case of Dells, the System Software and then Chipset driver), along with the other drivers listed in that Dell article, in order
i.e.
1. Dell System Software
2. Chipset driver
3. PCMCIA and/or Smartcard drivers
4. Intel Matrix Storage Manager
5. Audio driver
6. Video driver
7. Network interface card or ethernet drivers
8. ControlPoint System/Security/Connection Managers (some Latitudes only)
9. Dell Quickset
10. Wireless network drivers
11. Bluetooth drivers (if bluetooth module present)
12. Mouse, keyboard, touchpad and input device drivers
13. Intel vPro or AMT (if present) Chipset driver
14. Mobile broadband card drivers (if present)
15. Modem drivers (if present)
16. Dell Digitech touch screen driver (if present)

If you mistakenly install other driver first, boot to Safe mode, install the System Software and Chipset drivers, then boot to normal mode and [re]install the rest in order.

THEN install service packs and hit Windows Update repeatedly until no more updates are offered.

Note that most manufacturer's offer driver-order-installation lists like that, also.

@Darr247: that's the optimal way of installing.

But what do you do if drivers refuse to install if you don't have SPX installed? Or require .NET?

I generally install only chipset and network before service packs, and only after that the rest of the drivers.

Dan

if you install it afresh - make an XP install cd with SP3 integrated (i used this method)
http://www.howtohaven.com/system/createwindowssetupdisk.shtml

** they describe integrating SP2 , but SP3 works also (which i did)

if you install it...
If your client installs it, he/she will use whatever disk is available, then call you when audio/network/whatever doesn't work :)

what's this rubbish about client?
he posted :
"I have an old DELL Latitude D620 (perhaps 6/7 years old)
It was full of rubbish and I re-installed it with Windows XP.é

Exactly. In this case the OP is the client. And he used whatever install disk he had.

The fact that he can integrate SP3, drivers and all that into his install disk means simply that: that he can.
In the mean time, XP is installed, SP3 also so (39828347) now only the drivers remain.

Thanks for your help.