Cant get connected

Working on my Dell Dimension 4550: I formatted and reinstalled WinXP. All went well and I then copied saved Drivers into Display Adapters, Network Adapters, Modem, Processor, and PCI Bus.

Now, I'm trying to set up my Internet system. Using the CD for my DSL modem I am stopped very early on with the message: "You should now install your Ethernet card.." I assume that I have one because this computer was connected to the server before I cleaned it out. But what do I do now? I cant find a clue as to my next move. :confused

 

It seems that possibly your Ethernet Adapter is not installed. Can you check your device manager to see if you have any (? or !) or Unknown Devices, and also do you have the CD's/drivers that originally came with the hardware? Or do you know what the Network Adapter is so we can possibly find the latest drivers for it and try that?

Thanks.

 

I never thought of digging out all the CDs that came with this computer! (I guess that's why you're the expert.) Anyhow, I'm using one that is labeled Drivers and Utilities but not getting very far with it so far.
I don't seem to have either an Ethernet adapter or a Network Adapter listed in the Device Mgr.
Under Other Devices there is: Ethernet Controller; Multimedia Audio Controller; PCI Input Driver; and SM bus controller. All marked with question marks. When I checked out the properties they all showed that no drivers had been installed and when I go into Driver Details, they all show "No drivers are needed or have been installed for this device."

 

Alright, well thats a good thing you have the Device Drivers CD. Okay, best course of action would be to install the Chipset drivers (If you can figure out which is which... then go from there. And Honestly. I think this is what it is:

Ethernet Controller; -> Ethernet Adapter (10/100/1000 Intel Probably)
Multimedia Audio Controller; -> Modem/Audio
PCI Input Driver; -> Unknown Maybe your Video Card or Wireless Driver.
and SM bus controller -> Memory Card Reader.

So, when you place in the Drivers CD, whats all listed there?.. Does it have a good directory structure thats listed,

Chipset, Ethernet, Video, Audio...ect ect... or just thrown around?

Let me know.

 

Incase your having difficulty finding the drivers. I just went right quick to Dell's website, and found them.

http://support.dell.com

And then lookup under Desktop, Dimension, 4550. And it shows all the drivers. Install them one by one, starting with Chipset, Video (Which you have to find out if you have an onboard nVidia, or ATI card), Audio/Modem, and Ethernet. And you should be okay.

Hope once again that helps.

 

I was about to post a list of what is listed on opening the Drivers CD, but first I'll give a try at seeing what I can find at the Dell site. I'll let you know if I make any progress.

 

I played around in the Dell driver site. Downloaded and installed a few things, including a Chip set driver. Now when I go in to Device Manager the only "Other Device" showing is Ethernet Controller (with a question Mark).
The Dell site didn't list Ethernet for anything. Nor does the Drivers CD.

I'm ready to quit for to-night. It's way past my bedtime. Thanks for your help. I'll pick this up again to-morrow.

 

I downloaded an Intel Driver from the Dell site. The installation instructions tell me to go into the Device Manager and go to Network Adapters. I dont have that listed in the Device Manager! What now? :confused

 

Hey Fuzzy,

http://support.dell.com/support/dow...IM_PNT_P4_4550&hidos=WW1&hidlang=en&TabIndex=

Techsent

 

That's the site where I downloaded the drivers. But the installation instructions require me to go the Network Adapter in the Device Manager. I don't have a Network Adapter listed, so cant install the driver.

 

For anybody who comes up with this problem:

I discovered that the likely looking driver had its own folder where I found a Set up file. I ran that and it worked. Moral of this story is When all else fails Ignore the instructions.

In upgrading Windows I have a brand new problem :crybut I guess that belongs in another category

 

I've had this same problem. I will look for my CDs tonight to see if that helps. Some have said to check out the Dell site. But, if I can't get on the 'net to access the site, then what? Am I looking right past something obvious here?

Thnx!!

 

Tried the CDs which came with the computer, with no luck so far. Same exact provb as Fuzzy - go to Device Manager and there's nothing listed for the Networks othere than a question-marked ethernet adapter.

 

Fuzzy - what file/folder did you find this in?

Thnx!

 

I'll try to reconstruct what I did....I've had so many problems with the new Vista computer since then that that one is ancient history.

I downloaded the Driver (R52043 -Intel 10/100, I think)from the Dell site and followed instructions up until I was told to go to the Network Adapter, which I didn't have. I then went to C/Dell/Drivers; found R52043. Explored it and went to the WinXP folder. In there was a Setup file. Ran that and that solved the problem. The Network Adapter appeared on the Device Mgr. and the exclamation mark was gone from the Ethernet item. Everything working as it should.

Just to make it clear: this is on a Dell Dimension 4550 with Windows XP.

I hope this helps. :wave