Too Stupid To Own A Computer?

Dell Dimension 4600 Series, Intel Pentium 4
512MB DDR SDRAM
120 GB Serial ATA hard drive, 7200RPM
E152FPb flat panel display
128MB DDR NVidia GeForce FX 5200 graphics card
Intel Pro 100M Integrated PCI NIC card
56K PCI Data Fax modem
16X DVD-Rom drive
8X DVD+R/RW CD-RW combination drive

I’m not sure if this is the right forum to post this in… but here goes. About a week ago my computer started to “hang” upon startup and during various functions. I ran my antivirus… nothing. I ran my
spyware and adware programs… nothing. I ran my registry programs… nothing. So, I resorted to the internet to try and figure out what was going on. After three days of trying this fix and that fix I decided to just reinstall my Windows XP Pro. I began running and installing the various Dell cd’s that came with the system. Some of the drivers would install… some wouldn’t. I can’t remember what it was but one of the items (on a cd mind you) said I had to download onto a floppy and install it from there. I went to the Dell website where I THOUGHT I would be able to download exactly what I needed (how stupid was I?) for my specific system. After entering my Service Tag #, I was given a whole list of downloads to choose from, like I was supposed to know which ones would be right for my system. So I went to the Windows Update website and started downloading all the updates (my XP disc only had Service Pack 1a). Well… long story short, somewhere along the line I ended up with a mixed bag of 104 spyware, adware, trojans and a virus to boot for all my efforts. I finally gave up trying to get it all cleaned up and decided to just reformat again and reinstall the XP program. It now sits on my computer but I won’t touch it because I don’t know what else it needs to perform correctly. Is there anyone out there that
could tell me what drivers, utilities, adapters, controllers and whatever else-not I need for my particular set-up? I am not all that computer literate… just to give you a clue, somewhere along the way someone told me I needed to start with my chipset driver. Sounded like golf to me! Any and all help
would be GREATLY appreciated as I am now using my husband’s computer.

Debbie

 

Hello Major Attitude!
You are a Godsend! I am downloading the drivers onto a disk right now and will order the SP2 cd when I'm done with that. As far as the sound... my order sheet only says "Integrated Audio". Does that mean anything? Thank you so very much for your quick response... you are my HERO!!!

Debbie

 

OK…. I’ve downloaded and installed the drivers you have listed. I did have a problem with the motherboard drivers (the mouse froze at the last step and I couldn’t click on “finish” in the install wizard), but after reviewing the info it said that the computer had to have the latest updates. I found the same one on the Dell website with an earlier release date and that one installed just fine. I went into my device manager and there is a huge, yellow question mark next to “Other Devices”. When I expanded it I found two more question marks. One next to “Ethernet Controller” and the other next to “PCI Modem”, does this mean there is a problem? What is the question mark trying to tell me? I still have not installed any of the protective software… thought I best wait until I know the computer has everything it needs.

I have to say again, thank you for all your help and guidance… I would be so lost without it.

Debbie

 

Wanted to let you know that she's up and running beautifully!!! I'm still updating, updating, updating but with a smile on my face. Thank you from the bottom of my heart! You're the BEST!!!!!

Debbie

 

Way to go, MA And 9000+ posts as well. Bazza