Unable to install drivers

[Gilthanaz]

I've just reformatted a win98 SE system, and had no problems with the format or the windows install. However, the first time windows booted up, it naturally asked me for lots of drivers as expected. When I have done this with my system many of the generic drivers were on the windows CD and I had no problems installing them. Windows asks for things such as drivers for PCI Network controller, PCI Input controller, and others I dont remember right now. I told windows to search for these drivers on the windows cd but it found nothing. I also searched the Dell Resource disk that came with the computer and again nothing. I dont know why Windows can't identify these drivers. Also windows was looking for drivers for an unknown device called "PCI Audio Device" which i took to be the sound card. I browsed the cd for the correct sound card drivers and still nothing. This is very frustrating seeing as it went relatively smoothly on my system. Also detected is "Linksys EtherFast Network adapter". I put in the linksys disk that was with the network card and told windows to search there and still nothing.

[bailey]

let me guess
you installed w98se with a good w98 cd
you also have a recover cd that came with the system to reinstall the system back to the condidtion it was in new.

well that don't work very well, because all the drivers for the motherboard are on the recover cd, and as far as I know that is the only source for them.

one metheod that may work better is to install xp as you would have a better chance of having the need drivers.

but the system may not be good enough to run it,

that leaves the only option to use the recover cd and hope for the best, then maybe upgrade to a newer os

[RicheemxX]

every driver you should need should be on the recovery cd you'll more than likely have to browse around the cd to find them however. Windows 98se does have several generic drivers but it will not have the appropriate ones for all your systems components and even if it does have some of the generics you might still need the specific ones for your devices.

Often times with recovery cd's it is easier to run the driver install program {if it has one} rather than trying to dig through the cd for all the right drivers. Either let it autorun or look for the EXE to run. There should also be a PDF file that will explain what is on the disk and steps to take for recovery

[Gilthanaz]

I searched that cd, it doesn't have all the required drivers, thats my problem.

[bailey]

why don't you just install with the recover cd ?

[Gilthanaz]

I'm not sure if this is a "Recover CD" or not, all you can do is browse it really, and the directories are nothing readable such as "3775fg". I have no experience with pre built computers so I dont really know.

[RicheemxX]

I also searched the Dell Resource disk that came with the computer and again nothing

I don't have much experience with dell but AFAIK the resources cd is not a recovery cd thats where the problem lies. The resources cds I've ran into in the past are always just back-ups of some installed programs and junk like that. Sounds to me like you need to find out what the mobo is or the specific components and search the dell site for the drivers to d/l or find someone with a recovery cd for that computer.

edit: didn't notice the fact that you had said resources cd. The recovery cd should be labeled master or recovery.

[Gilthanaz]

I see, so there should be two different CDs with the Dell?

[Chuckiechan]

The pci audio device can also have to do with your modem - sound card interaction.

I would first go to Dell and download off their website. Your serial number will dial you into the stuff that was "stock" on you computer when you bought it.

Sometimes the device manager will give you enough info to to online to the manufacturere's website and update from there.

Do you still have tech support available from Dell?

[Vickip]

Along with what Chuckiechan said, go ahead and install winzip if you havent already...many files have to be unzipped first.

(you'll have to pardon me if Im telling you something you already know...I just dont know how much experience you have so...)

Also, you should install your chipset drivers first, then agp drivers(if not included in chipset driver setup) then video, sound, modem, etc...

Good luck! Vickip