Reformatting harddrive etc...

[hawgdog]

Got the $280 dell pe400sc P-4 2.26 with the palm and even free shipping. After adding 512mb ram, the linked driver upgrades from the faq page for this box and XP Pro I'm having network issues and device manager conflicts/yellow question marks in "other devices" with a pci comm controller(only when a pci/modem card is in) and Multimedia audio controller(all the time). Did I screw up the drivers install or load the wrong ones for the P4?

If I need to start over how do I reformat the hd correctly and in what order should i install the new drivers?
Thanks for any input, Hawg dawg

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[Zepper]

Did your machine come with a restore CD? If not, you will have to back up the restore info from a (perhaps) hidden partition on your HD. Download the partitioning software from the drive mfr. Partition the drive and run the restore program.
. The restore program may be able to redo the partitioning as well. Check Dell's web site for info on recovering from a HD crash for best info.
.bh.

 

[johnjkr1]

Dell doesnt make "restore" cd's in the ghosted sense...all their cd's are just actual discs.

So, in reference to your problem...yes, you did the install incorrectly.

Here is how you start over:

Set your bios to boot from cd....Put in the Dell XP cd.....and boot off that cd

2.) Choose to install windows....not a repair install.....and you will eventually get to the partitioning screen....destroy the partitions, recrete them how you want (i like one big partition) then format the drive......start the windows install and let that finish

3.) Now you are on the desktop....yea!!!!

4.) Your first step should be service pack 1 if you have it on cd...if you dont, then wait

5.) You must do the CHIPSET driver first...of course....checking dell, they dont have any listed.....they only have them for 2k.....
so things get a bit more complicated....you can try their 2k drivers for your system, those usually worked when i was at dell.



If you have trouble, you can PM me or aim me, I should be around