Any thoughts on reinstalling dell drivers?

May 11, 2007 6:56 PM

I'm trying to reinstall Windows XP, but I'm running into driver issues. I'm using a Dell Inspiron E1405 that I want to dual boot XP and Feisty Faun on (I want to go Linux full time, but I needs my WoW, and I can't get Wine to be friendly with my Video Card). I'm running into driver issues.

I was smart enough to back up all my drivers from my previous installation, but it's not working very well to reinstall them. I run into this issue were even though I saved them all (using a program called DriverMax), they won't reinstall properly. I can get most of 'em, but my sound is still funky, it says my wireless is working, but it won't connect, and there's three unrecognized "System" devices. Do dells have some funkieness with their drivers?

Anyway, I just want to get this right so I can install Ubuntu. I'm sick of swaping out HDD's every time I wanna do something different.

Thanks a lot!

posted by TrueVox to computers & internet (6 comments total)

I think with Dells you need to download all your drivers from the Dell website. I know there's somewhere on there you can enter your service number and it'll show you just the drivers you need. Fresh downloads of all your drivers might just solve your problems.
posted by some chick at 7:22 PM on May 11, 2007

Yeah, I've tried that before. They suck. :) That's why I just backed up the good ones. I don't know if ALL dells are a pain like this, or just mine, but it doesn't even reinstall easily.

Thanks for trying though!
posted by TrueVox at 7:23 PM on May 11, 2007

Your unknown system devices are quite possibly ACPI stuff (this is the power stuff that recognizes, e.g., when the LCD is down and then switches in to sleep mode...it often also runs any special LEDs, like "new mail" or whatever). The only source for those drivers is probably the Dell website.

For Wireless and Sound etc., have you tried the manufacturer of the individual component directly?
posted by anaelith at 11:49 PM on May 11, 2007

You probably need to go back to the Dell website and download drivers for your motherboard chipset. The drivers for the system devices should be installed first before installing other drivers. That may solve your installation difficulties.
posted by euphotic at 12:04 AM on May 12, 2007

"Yeah, I've tried that before. They suck. :)"

Try it again. Make sure you do it right. If you do it right, it won't suck.

Go to Dell's driver page for your laptop.

Start with the chipset drivers and go from there.

You will notice that there are no less than 6 wireless drivers available. Make sure you get the correct one. Check your BIOS. The Dell BIOS should show you which miniPCI wireless you have installed.
posted by Cat Pie Hurts at 6:54 AM on May 12, 2007

I would use a tool like everest, sandra soft or driver guide to tell you exactly what drivers you need who manufactures them and than go to the site and download them from there
posted by the_binary_blues at 9:11 AM on May 17, 2007 [1 favorite]