In desktops the user can instead download the latest driver from the ATI/nVidea websites.
Some of the newer laptops have switchable graphics and require the Intel driver to be installed first then the corresponding nVidea/ATI video driver for full performance. Video Driver (Look only for Intel/ATI/nVidea ones applicable) - Under Video.
Chipset Drivers (Intel then Ricoh/Realtek/Any other ones) - Under Chipset. S ee here for more information about Dell Desktop Software. Dell System (Notebook/Desktop) Software - Under System Utilities. Naturally some of these drivers/applications such as Dell Quickset for power/mobility are designed for Laptops only and are thus not needed for Desktops. Although this guide is based on installing/reinstalling Windows XP on laptops, installation on Dell desktops will be very similar.
When downloading drivers for a clean install I recommend using the same folder structure as me to prevent confusion and to ensure that you install all the drivers in the correct order. These are likely to work but theres no g uarantee.
There are a couple of unofficial driver sets listed for selected laptops and desktops provided by me. Other users should follow 5a and skip 5b however if a download link is broken in 5a the ftp website is the best place to look. The user should download only the correct drivers for their system.ĭownloading from the ftp website is faster but designed for advanced users. The Dell FTP Website has all versions of each driver released by Dell for a particular model. This has been reorganised recently so drivers are listed by model. The Drivers may also be found on the Dell ftp website. Obtaining the Dell System Drivers (Dell FTP Website) here are the drivers I downloaded for a Latitude E6520:ĭell Drivers and Downloads Page is currently under maintenance so post here if you experience some issues downloading the drivers. This will ensure that you install the drivers in the recommended order. I recommend saving each driver in an appropriately labeled folder and adding a numeric prefix to the folder. See Step 5c for more details about the recommended driver install order. For me drivers were disappearing earlier.
Once done press back several times to return here:Įnsure it looks the same as before (number of categories and number of drivers under each category), if not change the OS to BIOS and back to Windows 7 64 bit. This time select Single-File download and it should now work. The page will refresh and look identical to before we will take the video oneĬlick download file, this will take you to this pageĭo not select Download Manager, select single-file download and press next. Once you have selected Windows Vista look at the categoriesĬlick the category to expand it e.g. Once the model is selected you need to select the correct OS: Select your model and Operating system.Īvoid inputting the Service Tag (its not working correctly for many systems omitting critical drivers). Go to the Dell Support page and select Drivers and Downloads. Obtaining the Dell System Drivers (Dell Drivers and Downloads Page) If you plan on using other Security Software instead of Microsoft Security Essentials, do not install Microsoft Security Essentials. * Microsoft Security Essentials with the latest definition is installed immediately after the Service Packs and Internet Explorer 9 to ensure your system is protected upon first connection to the internet. Microsoft Security Essentials Latest Definition (32 bit)*.Prepare your XP USB by following Steps 1 and Steps 2b in my wiki Upgrading your XP Reinstallation Media with SP3, WMP11 and IE8.
Creating a Windows XP Reinstallation USB. Save this in a folder in the external harddrive e.g.
CutePDF Writer may be used to create a pdf print out of it. It is handy to keep a print out of this data. This is particularly useful for obtaining your Windows XP and Microsoft Office product keys. It is free for home use and gives you a print out of your computers hardware and software. Use Belarc Advisorīelarc Advisor will obtain details about your system. A standard user should make regular back ups in case of hard drive failure. Documents, Music, Pictures and Videos in particular. An external hard drive is a great device to back ones data up on.