XP won't recognize drivers for new Dell 'puter

  • Thread starter Thread starter SCPO
  • Start date Start date
S

SCPO

Help! Some time ago I purchased a new Dell Optiplex 755 which I requested
be sent with an formatted harddrive (200 g SATA), network card, DVDRW
drive, 2 g mem, etc.., but without Windows XP installed since I already had
my own home edition. The drivers were on an included CD.

Everything went as planned with the install of Windows until it got to
recognizing the drivers. After trying a number of things in my limited
knowledge, I gave-in and called Dell for some tech support. They were very
helpful - up to a point. The tech & I tried a number of things (over the
phone) to get the network card to function so we could get online & then he
could directly link with my machine to install the drivers.

Good plan, but bad execution!

He had no better luck than me, and after trying for an hour finally gave-
up. Said he would get back to me, but never did I tried to get additional
help from Dell but they didn't seem too hip on continuing our
"relationship".

So, I was stuck with a rather large, black paperweight!

Until I was put in touch with a couple of young computer guys in my town
who work on problematic 'puters. After having my machine for a day or so,
he called me back and said the machine was working fine, drivers installed,
50 bucks please! Hey, no problem. I thought I was getting out cheap.

He told me the main problem was that I had an old copy of Windows XP Home
Edition (I bought my copy within the first 6 months when XP came out). His
basic solution was to use a "newer" copy of XP he had to recognize the
drivers in conjunction with my installed system. I thought this was a novel
work around & thanked him, went home & fired-up the machine!

Bet you can guess what happened???

Right on, Alex Trabek, as soon as Windows tried to do the updates, I was
informed I had did not have a valid copy installed! Brilliant!!!

My young friend tried a couple of times to remedy the situation, but even
he was stuck for a solution.

So, here I am running my store-bought copy of Windows XP with nag screens
every 5 seconds, but at least it's running!

I don't quite know how to proceed from here? 1. I am certainly not going to
pay another 150 bucks for another copy of XP! (What a colossal waste of
beer money!) 2. Do I take a chance on upgrading to Vista - too many horror
stories? 3. Do I wait until Windows 7 comes out sometime in the near future
(and hope it is significantly better than Vista?

OR 4. Is there a simpler way to cure all my ills and get Windows XP up to
speed using my "old" store-bought copy?

If anyone can enlighten me, I will be more than grateful to you!

Thanks for listening!

Fair winds and following seas,

SCPO
USN (ret)
 
SCPO said this on 3/24/2009 3:54 PM:
Help! Some time ago I purchased a new Dell Optiplex 755 which I requested
be sent with an formatted harddrive (200 g SATA), network card, DVDRW
drive, 2 g mem, etc.., but without Windows XP installed since I already had
my own home edition. The drivers were on an included CD.

Everything went as planned with the install of Windows until it got to
recognizing the drivers. After trying a number of things in my limited
knowledge, I gave-in and called Dell for some tech support. They were very
helpful - up to a point. The tech & I tried a number of things (over the
phone) to get the network card to function so we could get online & then he
could directly link with my machine to install the drivers.

Good plan, but bad execution!

He had no better luck than me, and after trying for an hour finally gave-
up. Said he would get back to me, but never did I tried to get additional
help from Dell but they didn't seem too hip on continuing our
"relationship".

So, I was stuck with a rather large, black paperweight!

Until I was put in touch with a couple of young computer guys in my town
who work on problematic 'puters. After having my machine for a day or so,
he called me back and said the machine was working fine, drivers installed,
50 bucks please! Hey, no problem. I thought I was getting out cheap.

He told me the main problem was that I had an old copy of Windows XP Home
Edition (I bought my copy within the first 6 months when XP came out). His
basic solution was to use a "newer" copy of XP he had to recognize the
drivers in conjunction with my installed system. I thought this was a novel
work around & thanked him, went home & fired-up the machine!

Bet you can guess what happened???

Right on, Alex Trabek, as soon as Windows tried to do the updates, I was
informed I had did not have a valid copy installed! Brilliant!!!

My young friend tried a couple of times to remedy the situation, but even
he was stuck for a solution.

So, here I am running my store-bought copy of Windows XP with nag screens
every 5 seconds, but at least it's running!

I don't quite know how to proceed from here? 1. I am certainly not going to
pay another 150 bucks for another copy of XP! (What a colossal waste of
beer money!) 2. Do I take a chance on upgrading to Vista - too many horror
stories? 3. Do I wait until Windows 7 comes out sometime in the near future
(and hope it is significantly better than Vista?

OR 4. Is there a simpler way to cure all my ills and get Windows XP up to
speed using my "old" store-bought copy?

If anyone can enlighten me, I will be more than grateful to you!

Thanks for listening!

Fair winds and following seas,

SCPO
USN (ret)
Click to expand...

Google 'slipstream'. If you have the GOLD, original, copy of XP then
I would suggest you slipstream it and make yourself a CD with a new SP3
version of XP. There are tools like autostreamer or nlite to help you
do this. Nlite will allow you to also add your special drivers too,
which makes the install that much easier. Even just loading SP3 might
give XP more driver info.
 
SCPO said:
Help! Some time ago I purchased a new Dell Optiplex 755 which I
requested
be sent with an formatted harddrive (200 g SATA), network card, DVDRW
drive, 2 g mem, etc.., but without Windows XP installed since I
already had
my own home edition. The drivers were on an included CD.
Click to expand...

I wasn't aware Dell did this!

So, are you saying that Dell shipped you this computer without a license
to run XP? That there is no COA (Certificate of Authenticity) sticker
anywhere on your PC?

What do you mean by the phrase "I already had my own home edition." If
you have your own XP installation disk, what kind is it -- Retail,
Generic OEM, Dell OEM, other-brand OEM? If Retail, is it Full or
Upgrade? Not all disks, as you have learned, would work in your
situation. But your solution may hinge on what kind of disk you have.
Everything went as planned with the install of Windows until it got to
recognizing the drivers. After trying a number of things in my limited
knowledge, I gave-in and called Dell for some tech support. They were
very
helpful - up to a point. The tech & I tried a number of things (over
the
phone) to get the network card to function so we could get online &
then he
could directly link with my machine to install the drivers.
Click to expand...

Drivers for what? SATA hard drive perchance?
Good plan, but bad execution!
Click to expand...

Depending on how much you saved by not getting a license to run XP and
have it preloaded (or at the very least, have the correct CD!), I'm not
sure that *was* a good plan. :-(
He had no better luck than me, and after trying for an hour finally
gave-
up. Said he would get back to me, but never did I tried to get
additional
help from Dell but they didn't seem too hip on continuing our
"relationship".

So, I was stuck with a rather large, black paperweight!

Until I was put in touch with a couple of young computer guys in my
town
who work on problematic 'puters. After having my machine for a day or
so,
he called me back and said the machine was working fine, drivers
installed,
50 bucks please! Hey, no problem. I thought I was getting out cheap.
Click to expand...

I think I see where this is going.
He told me the main problem was that I had an old copy of Windows XP
Home
Edition (I bought my copy within the first 6 months when XP came out).
His
basic solution was to use a "newer" copy of XP he had to recognize the
drivers in conjunction with my installed system. I thought this was a
novel
work around & thanked him, went home & fired-up the machine!
Click to expand...

Again, knowing what type of XP CD was used would be very helpful
information...
Bet you can guess what happened???
Click to expand...

Pirated copy?
Right on, Alex Trabek, as soon as Windows tried to do the updates, I
was
informed I had did not have a valid copy installed! Brilliant!!!

My young friend tried a couple of times to remedy the situation, but
even
he was stuck for a solution.
Click to expand...

If you don't have a license to run XP, you need to get one. If your XP
CD is a *Retail* one, that would be your license, provided it's not
currently being used on another PC. Otherwise, you don't have a license!
Are you *sure* Dell didn't give you one?!
So, here I am running my store-bought copy of Windows XP with nag
screens
every 5 seconds, but at least it's running!

I don't quite know how to proceed from here? 1. I am certainly not
going to
pay another 150 bucks for another copy of XP! (What a colossal waste
of
beer money!) 2. Do I take a chance on upgrading to Vista - too many
horror
stories? 3. Do I wait until Windows 7 comes out sometime in the near
future
(and hope it is significantly better than Vista?

OR 4. Is there a simpler way to cure all my ills and get Windows XP up
to
speed using my "old" store-bought copy?
Click to expand...

That depends on if it's Retail or not.

If not, you can either purchasea generic OEM XP Home CD or contact
Microsoft and inform them what happened. They might sell you a license
and a "Genuine Advantage" version of XP Home (if they're still
available). And you would also need a product key changing program. If
you want to purchase the former, here's a link to one place that still
has it:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116511

Ninety bucks, not $150.

Finally, if this was "some time ago," what had you been doing all that
time with this PC?!
 
You totally screwed up in ordering a sys without the o/s, all for the sake
of saving $50.
We have to assume your winxp home version, a cut down version of winxp pro,
is actually a retail edition, if not you cannot install it on a new sys
anyway, and if it isnt a retail edition its going to cost you a whole lot
more to purchase a retail edition than you saved

I dont suppose Dell was too keen to help you, after all you purchased a sys
without the o/s, so why should they help you install something they didnt
provide. By ordering a sys without the o/s you were indicating you had the
expertise to install the o/s and configure your PC, which clearly you dont
have.

You have to use the F6 option to install third party drivers from *floppy*
ie sata controler drivers, early in the installation process, in order to
install winxp.

And if you dont have the expertise, pay someone who has - and dont take any
cr*p about your version of winxp is old
 
SCPO said:
Help! Some time ago I purchased a new Dell Optiplex 755 which I requested
be sent with an formatted harddrive (200 g SATA), network card, DVDRW
drive, 2 g mem, etc.., but without Windows XP installed since I already had
my own home edition. The drivers were on an included CD.

Everything went as planned with the install of Windows until it got to
recognizing the drivers. After trying a number of things in my limited
knowledge, I gave-in and called Dell for some tech support. They were very
helpful - up to a point. The tech & I tried a number of things (over the
phone) to get the network card to function so we could get online & then he
could directly link with my machine to install the drivers.

Good plan, but bad execution!

He had no better luck than me, and after trying for an hour finally gave-
up. Said he would get back to me, but never did I tried to get additional
help from Dell but they didn't seem too hip on continuing our
"relationship".

So, I was stuck with a rather large, black paperweight!

Until I was put in touch with a couple of young computer guys in my town
who work on problematic 'puters. After having my machine for a day or so,
he called me back and said the machine was working fine, drivers installed,
50 bucks please! Hey, no problem. I thought I was getting out cheap.

He told me the main problem was that I had an old copy of Windows XP Home
Edition (I bought my copy within the first 6 months when XP came out). His
basic solution was to use a "newer" copy of XP he had to recognize the
drivers in conjunction with my installed system. I thought this was a novel
work around & thanked him, went home & fired-up the machine!

Bet you can guess what happened???

Right on, Alex Trabek, as soon as Windows tried to do the updates, I was
informed I had did not have a valid copy installed! Brilliant!!!

My young friend tried a couple of times to remedy the situation, but even
he was stuck for a solution.

So, here I am running my store-bought copy of Windows XP with nag screens
every 5 seconds, but at least it's running!

I don't quite know how to proceed from here? 1. I am certainly not going to
pay another 150 bucks for another copy of XP! (What a colossal waste of
beer money!) 2. Do I take a chance on upgrading to Vista - too many horror
stories? 3. Do I wait until Windows 7 comes out sometime in the near future
(and hope it is significantly better than Vista?

OR 4. Is there a simpler way to cure all my ills and get Windows XP up to
speed using my "old" store-bought copy?

If anyone can enlighten me, I will be more than grateful to you!
Click to expand...

OK the "computer guys" ripped you off and broke the law. I'd say you are
entitled to your money back for the work they didn't do and for putting
you in an exposed position by running an unlicensed copy of Windows.

What you need is a splipstreamed SP3 version of Windows which can be
easily created by any experienced computer technician. this will then be
installed on your system using your original license key (You did remove
XP from your old system so that there are not two copies with the same
license key running didn't you?)

When finding your computer tech look for someone with qualifications
such as MCP or a company that is certified such as a Microsoft small
business specialist. These guys will know what they are doing and you
can confirm this by asking if they can do the slipstream for you. This
will however cost you much more than it would have cost to have Dell
pre-install XP for you. We live and learn.
 
SCPO said:
Help! Some time ago I purchased a new Dell Optiplex 755 which I requested
be sent with an formatted harddrive (200 g SATA), network card, DVDRW
drive, 2 g mem, etc.., but without Windows XP installed since I already
had
my own home edition. The drivers were on an included CD.

Everything went as planned with the install of Windows until it got to
recognizing the drivers.
Click to expand...

What exactly do you mean by this?

On these kinds of systems, you generally do the basic OS install, then
insert the driver CD, run the basic driver installer program, which detects
the hardware and presents a list of the drivers to install. Install them
one at a time.

If this doesn't address the issue, a clear description of what actually
happens when you try to install the drivers would be in order.

HTH
-pk


<snippage>
 
Want to get rid of Windows Vista? Discovered that none of the software (and even some hardware) you've been using for years is compatible? You're not alone.

Windows Vista has been out for a year and a half now, and public opinion is still fiercly divided. Those who purchased ultra-fast new computer systems may love it, but the rest of the public, especially those who upgraded an older PC from Windows XP to Windows Vista probably wish they never had.

It's possible to go back to Windows XP, though it may not be easy. Especially not if you purchased a new system with Windows Vista but now find yourself pining for the easy charms (and fast loading times) of Windows XP.

Why would anyone want to go back to Windows XP? Well, because it still works just fine.

After all, you know that Windows XP runs fast, and you know it likes the software applications you've already paid good money for. Windows Vista has a lot of new features, and may prove to be the better OS in the long run, but for right now, many, many users will be better served within the familiar confines of Windows XP.

First the unfortunate truth: There is no 'undo' button for getting rid of Windows Vista. Sadly, there is no easy way to go back to Windows XP as such. you'll either have to remove the entire operating system and start fresh with Windows XP, or do nothing at all.

Making Preparations

Before PCSTATS gets into the nitty-gritty of preparing your computer for a Vista Exorcism, let's go over how to save your essential files, emails and contact information. Vista is going to be completely wiped off your computer forever, so you will need to preserve those precious bits of yourself that are already stored in the ill-fated OS.

If you've used Windows Mail in Vista and can't afford to be without your valuable email messages and contact info, here's how to back it up. Once backed up you can return it to Outlook Express or Windows Mail installed on Windows XP, for that matter.

Backing up E-Mail

Windows Vista stores all emails in the .eml file format at the location 'C:\Users\Username\AppData\Local\Microsoft\WindowsMail\ Local Folders' where 'Username' is the user name that you use in Windows Vista. You will have to enable the viewing of hidden files and folders to navigate to this location. To enable hidden file viewing, open any directory, then go to 'organize/folder and search settings' and click the 'view' tab. Enable the 'view hidden files and folders' option.


As you can see, the directories here mimic the various mail boxes in Windows Mail. Each contains multiple .eml files which correspond to individual email messages. Their names are not particularly revealing, so if you want to be picky about the messages you save, export the whole lot and delete the ones you don't want later. To export these messages to Windows XP, we simply need to copy the data onto removable media such as a USB drive or burn it to a CD. If you have a second hard disk or partition, you can also move the data to a folder there for safekeeping.
 
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