Dell Inspiron 5150 Reformat

Discussion in 'Software' started by SRBast, Jan 12, 2009.

  1. SRBast

    SRBast Specialist

    Hi All,
    I had to reformat my Dell because of corrupt sectors and I have no drivers on it. I went through Dell support and they showed me what I already knew - the drivers on the website. However, I didn't know which ones to download (as each category had multiple choices) and even with downloading the majority of them, my computer didn't recognize them and wouldn't continue with installation. I downloaded them on a CD from a working computer, btw. I tried to install the chipset drivers first as instructed, but only one installed and the other said it wasn't recognized by my Dell. So I don't know if that's the key to the rest of the issues.

    So basically, I'm hoping there's someone out there who will know exactly which drivers I need (the names) so that my computer can start to work.

    Thank you very much,
    Stephanie
     
  2. subgeeky

    subgeeky Private E-2

    If you reformat, don't you have to reinstall the OS?

    If you have to reinstall the OS, then a clean install should install all necessary drivers.
     
  3. SRBast

    SRBast Specialist

    it's been so long since i reformatted it, but my OS (windows xp) is on it and running. when i was told to reformat, i was also told that i would need to install the drivers. they are the internet/networking/multimedia drivers. so i can't get on the internet now and i'm assuming have no video/audio function either.
     
  4. sach2

    sach2 Major Geek Extraordinaire

    Dell often has more than one networking card driver per model. Different machines are shipped with different cards depending on what is available at the time. So you will not use every driver available for your model.

    If you have the Driver CD that came with your PC it will be individualized for your unit. The best option. :)

    If you give us your Service tag key(from the label on the side of the PC) maybe we can help you find the most likely drivers.
     
  5. SRBast

    SRBast Specialist

    hey Sach,
    thanks so much for helping. this laptop was given to me by my friend who no longer has anything that goes with it. i contacted Dell for the Reinstallation CD (which I have) that says it includes "MS Windows XP Home Ed and Service Pack 2." they did say i would have to install the drivers.

    my service tag is 9ZY4L51. however, even when you enter that on the drivers site, it still brings up too many drivers for me to understand which to pick. for instance, under NETWORK there are 12. i'd love any help you can give me. thanks!
     
  6. DavidGP

    DavidGP MajorGeeks Forum Administrator - Grand Pooh-Bah Staff Member

    Hi Stephanie

    Try installing and runing Everest as it will or hopefully will name your devices so you get correct one, if its mindboggling then attach the everest logs from the steps below.

    Everest to find this info, at times a summary log of your PC can help, to do this

    Install Everest and run
    Click Report (top menu) > Report Wizard > Next
    Choose System Summary Only > Next
    Choose Plain Text > Finish and wait for report to generate
    Click Save to File and leave the File Name as Report, then click the Save as Type dropdown and choose Report files (*txt) and click Save (n.b. Save to desktop is best as easy place to find it, use Browse to locate desktop)


    Do NOTE that some parts of this report may have information on your email address and IP address, edit these out and resave the text doc before attaching

    Then attach your log to your next post as per these instructions HOW TO: Attach Items To Your Post

    From this log we should be able to find your drivers.





    *still mean to reply to your emai from before xmasl, tempusfugit *embarrased*
     
  7. SRBast

    SRBast Specialist

    Hi Halo! Thanks for saving the day again. So I used the program and got the summary. I was going to be brave and choose my drives by myself, but then it got crazy into the Ethernet section (the one I need most) so I thought I'd leave it to the experts. Thank you for instructions how to post, too. You are so thorough.

    A question that I have is when I initially downloaded the drivers from the Dell site (on my working MAC) to a USB portable storage, plugged it into the DELL and tried to install from there, all of them said "illegal operation" except for one chipset that worked. Interestingly, it did the same thing with the EverestHome. I had to download it and RUN it from my working PC in order for me to bring it back to the DELL to work. Even just downloading it from the PC onto the USB storage and opening it on the DELL gave me the same "illegal" message. So do you think I have to RUN all of the drivers that we decide to install on the PC before bringing it over to the DELL? Did this make sense?

    But before all of that, here is the Report from the Everest program.

    TIA!!
     

    Attached Files:

  8. sach2

    sach2 Major Geek Extraordinaire

    Hi Stephanie,

    I am finally getting back to you. I see your Everest report gives most of the information you need. I'll just put my list from Dell's copy of your original hardware here, real quick.

    Chipset--Intel Mobile (This is listed as optional and is probably already recognized)
    *Networking--#8 Dell Driver for Wireless 1350 WLAN
    Networking--#2 (I'm unsure if you need or have the Broadcom 440 10/100 card--if you aren't using wireless and need to plug in an ethernet cable you may try this one)
    *Video--#4 Nvidia Driver
    Audio--there is only one available so if you don't have audio get it.
    CD/DVD-- Sony CRX830E (This is a firmware update so it is optional unless you have problems with the drive reading CD/DVDs)
    IDE--There is none for your HD
    *Communications--Broadcom Modem

    *********
    On the install problems...Dell drivers come in the form of an .exe (executable file) that when run creates a folder in C:\Dell. So you want to copy the downloaded .exe(s) on to your laptop from the USB before you run them from the laptop. This will unpack the files into the C:\dell folder. Some will go ahead and then install the drivers. Others you will have to go into the C:\dell\drivers\R5733## folder and run the setup/installer from there. In the install notes for each driver on the dell website there is also a command line option to run the setup/installer file once you have unpacked the files from the downloaded exe.

    Best to write down the name of each drive file (ie. R58743 as you choose them and what device they are for so you can check the installs off the list as they are completed). The names are not very helpful. :(
     
    Last edited: Jan 12, 2009
  9. SRBast

    SRBast Specialist

    Holy God, Sach, THANK YOU!!! Truly. I mean, sometimes I can't believe how generous you all are with your time. This is exactly what I needed and I couldn't get it from over 2 hours on the phone with Dell nor another 1.5 hours on their Live Chat. I don't have time to do this tonight, but will tomorrow and post how it goes.

    Thank you, thank you, thank you Sach and Halo!!

    Stephanie
     
  10. SRBast

    SRBast Specialist

    Hey Sach and Halo,
    Just wanted to let you know that everything was a success!!! Thanks again so much for your detailed help. You saved me so much time and pulling of hair.

    Stephanie
     
  11. sach2

    sach2 Major Geek Extraordinaire

    Glad we could help. :)

    There are a couple of updates to the Sonic/Roxio CD software in Applications on the Dell site that might be worth downloading at some point. I hate Sonic stuff but since it is probably already pre-installed after the reformat you might as well get the fixes to make it work as well as it can.

    *******
    And when you get a chance right-click My Computer select Properties>under Hardware tab Select Device Manager and look to see if there are any yellow exclamation points or question marks. If you have none all your drivers are installed. If something in the list has a yellow mark then you may still need to find a driver for that device.

    Good Luck!
     

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