Reinstalling Windows XP and drivers

  • Thread starter Thread starter Shinra14
  • Start date Start date
S

Shinra14

Hi,

I have a computer that I need to re-install windows XP on. However, the
person that owns the computer doesn't have the drivers CD for his computer.
The computer is fairly older and it doesn't have any tech support. I was
wondering if there was a way to find out which drivers I need and where I
would find them?

Thank You for your help and time,
 
Shinra14 wrote:
> Hi,
>
> I have a computer that I need to re-install windows XP on. However,
> the person that owns the computer doesn't have the drivers CD for his
> computer. The computer is fairly older and it doesn't have any tech
> support. I was wondering if there was a way to find out which drivers
> I need and where I would find them?

Yes, a search engine such as Google should be used.

What is the make and model of the PC? And what method will you be using
to reinstall Windows?
 
If the computer starts it's easy enough to find out which drivers are
installed.

John

Shinra14 wrote:

> Hi,
>
> I have a computer that I need to re-install windows XP on. However, the
> person that owns the computer doesn't have the drivers CD for his computer.
> The computer is fairly older and it doesn't have any tech support. I was
> wondering if there was a way to find out which drivers I need and where I
> would find them?
>
> Thank You for your help and time,
 
Use the hidden Recovery partition to return the machine to OOBE state.
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-Windows (IE, OE, Security, Shell/User)
AumHa VSOP & Admin http://aumha.net
DTS-L http://dts-l.net/

Shinra14 wrote:
> Hi,
>
> I have a computer that I need to re-install windows XP on. However, the
> person that owns the computer doesn't have the drivers CD for his
> computer.
> The computer is fairly older and it doesn't have any tech support. I was
> wondering if there was a way to find out which drivers I need and where I
> would find them?
>
> Thank You for your help and time,
 
"Shinra14" <Shinra14@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:FF619059-D8DA-4AE1-B894-C30F444C5008@microsoft.com...
> Hi,
>
> I have a computer that I need to re-install windows XP on. However, the
> person that owns the computer doesn't have the drivers CD for his
> computer.
> The computer is fairly older and it doesn't have any tech support. I was
> wondering if there was a way to find out which drivers I need and where I
> would find them?
>
> Thank You for your help and time,

It has been covered so many times and is in the archives,
but as your not getting any real help......

The hardware that require drivers is detailed in Device Manager.
To access Device Manager:
Double-click on the System icon in Control Panel,
choose the Hardware tab,
and then click Device Manager.

This link is to an image of Device Manager
http://tinyurl.com/2mvdbe

You will see that it is a tree with grouped devices
For each heading click the "+" to open the sub-heading,
This will detail the make and model of device.
Note the exact details of each device.
The best method is to visit the home page of the make of
each device, click the support link and download and save
the drivers for that specific model.
I chose this as an example as it is an NVIDIA graphics card
that in this example is specific to Dell PC's.
The drivers for this example would be both available from
the NVIDIA and Dell sites.
Please be aware if in doubt visit the OEM of device for
the required drivers. Only download drivers for specific
devices listed.

Once you have completed identifying devices and downloaded
the uptodate drivers. -
Installing drivers can be very different for differing devices,
so on the home sites of each device read the guides relevent
to the device.

The actual process of installing drivers can be very complex
with a clean install of Windows as the found new hardware wizard
will be swamped with devices to install and you have to be on the
ball to direct Windows to where the drivers are for installing.
I would recommend a stripped down hardware configuration when
installing XP, all this involves is disconnecting much of the hardware
(Not removing, just disconnecting) Install XP, then reconnect and
install one device at a time. But we will deal with that once you have
got all the required drivers.
Open up the sub heading and then RIGHT click
Select "Properties"
 
Shinra14 wrote:
> Hi,
>
> I have a computer that I need to re-install windows XP on. However, the
> person that owns the computer doesn't have the drivers CD for his computer.
> The computer is fairly older and it doesn't have any tech support. I was
> wondering if there was a way to find out which drivers I need and where I
> would find them?
>
> Thank You for your help and time,
First off how old is "fairly old"? 3 years 5 years?
 
you may not need
additional drivers
as the cd may contain
everything you need.

if however you think
you need drivers then
visit the computers
homesite as they may
have downloadable
drivers for their computer
model. but again, the
cd may have everything
on it.

also, are you sure a
reinstall is required.

most issues can be
resolved via safemode
or the recovery console.

in addition, if the pc
is old, then possibly
a device/hardware has
simply become faulty
and needs replacement or
the hardware driver
is outdated or no longer
compatible.

as you can see there are
a multitude of issues that
can corrupt windows and
if you have a hardware problem
a reinstallation of the o.s.
cannot fix it.

--

db ·´¯`·.¸. , . .·´¯`·..><)))º>`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸.·´¯`·...¸><)))º>¸.
><)))º>·´¯`·.¸. , . .·´¯`·.. ><)))º>`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸.·´¯`·...¸><)))º>


..


"Shinra14" <Shinra14@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:FF619059-D8DA-4AE1-B894-C30F444C5008@microsoft.com...
> Hi,
>
> I have a computer that I need to re-install windows XP on. However, the
> person that owns the computer doesn't have the drivers CD for his computer.
> The computer is fairly older and it doesn't have any tech support. I was
> wondering if there was a way to find out which drivers I need and where I
> would find them?
>
> Thank You for your help and time,
 
I fund most times I do an XP reinstall, all the drivers are there.

If not, and I can make an internet connection, Windows Update will usually
have all I need.

But, if after all that, I am still SOL, then running Belarc Advisor will do
the trick. It's a free download and will ID every - and I do mean every -
peice of hardware on the machine. Once you know what is there you can go to
the manufacturers site to get what you need.

"db ´¯`·.. ><)))º>` .. ." wrote:

> you may not need
> additional drivers
> as the cd may contain
> everything you need.
>
> if however you think
> you need drivers then
> visit the computers
> homesite as they may
> have downloadable
> drivers for their computer
> model. but again, the
> cd may have everything
> on it.
>
> also, are you sure a
> reinstall is required.
>
> most issues can be
> resolved via safemode
> or the recovery console.
>
> in addition, if the pc
> is old, then possibly
> a device/hardware has
> simply become faulty
> and needs replacement or
> the hardware driver
> is outdated or no longer
> compatible.
>
> as you can see there are
> a multitude of issues that
> can corrupt windows and
> if you have a hardware problem
> a reinstallation of the o.s.
> cannot fix it.
>
> --
>
> db ·´¯`·.¸. , . .·´¯`·..><)))º>`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸.·´¯`·...¸><)))º>¸.
> ><)))º>·´¯`·.¸. , . .·´¯`·.. ><)))º>`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸.·´¯`·...¸><)))º>
>
>
> ..
>
>
> "Shinra14" <Shinra14@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:FF619059-D8DA-4AE1-B894-C30F444C5008@microsoft.com...
> > Hi,
> >
> > I have a computer that I need to re-install windows XP on. However, the
> > person that owns the computer doesn't have the drivers CD for his computer.
> > The computer is fairly older and it doesn't have any tech support. I was
> > wondering if there was a way to find out which drivers I need and where I
> > would find them?
> >
> > Thank You for your help and time,
>
>
 
Hi,

Thank You for all the ideas. See the computer is running pretty slow. I
tried to remove any spyware I can find but the computer is still running a
lot slower than it probably should. Maybe a XP install is not needed. I can't
use a drivers CD because there is none, thats why I was looking for how to
locate drivers online. Sorry if this has been answered before, but is there a
way to wipe the computer clean so that it would only have the factory
defaults (still has what it came with such as windows and the drivers for
hardware and such) in memory?

Thanks

"Shinra14" wrote:

> Hi,
>
> I have a computer that I need to re-install windows XP on. However, the
> person that owns the computer doesn't have the drivers CD for his computer.
> The computer is fairly older and it doesn't have any tech support. I was
> wondering if there was a way to find out which drivers I need and where I
> would find them?
>
> Thank You for your help and time,
 
"Shinra14" <Shinra14@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:99369E71-62BC-458D-9728-1BE729058249@microsoft.com...
> Hi,
>
> Thank You for all the ideas. See the computer is running pretty slow. I
> tried to remove any spyware I can find but the computer is still running a
> lot slower than it probably should. Maybe a XP install is not needed. I
> can't
> use a drivers CD because there is none, thats why I was looking for how to
> locate drivers online. Sorry if this has been answered before, but is
> there a
> way to wipe the computer clean so that it would only have the factory
> defaults (still has what it came with such as windows and the drivers for
> hardware and such) in memory?
>
> Thanks
>
It can only be reset if there is a restore partition
which contains an image of the original configuration.
Or with restore discs which contain a compressed
image, but it is obvious you don't have such discs.
 
A Repair Install will NOT resolve your problems!
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-Windows (IE, OE, Security, Shell/User)
AumHa VSOP & Admin http://aumha.net
DTS-L http://dts-l.net/

Shinra14 wrote:
> Hi,
>
> Thank You for all the ideas. See the computer is running pretty slow. I
> tried to remove any spyware I can find but the computer is still running a
> lot slower than it probably should. Maybe a XP install is not needed. I
> can't use a drivers CD because there is none, thats why I was looking for
> how to locate drivers online. Sorry if this has been answered before, but
> is there a way to wipe the computer clean so that it would only have the
> factory defaults (still has what it came with such as windows and the
> drivers for hardware and such) in memory?
>
> Thanks
>
> "Shinra14" wrote:
>
>> Hi,
>>
>> I have a computer that I need to re-install windows XP on. However, the
>> person that owns the computer doesn't have the drivers CD for his
>> computer.
>> The computer is fairly older and it doesn't have any tech support. I was
>> wondering if there was a way to find out which drivers I need and where I
>> would find them?
>>
>> Thank You for your help and time,
 
Just curious on what type of beast the computer is. Like I said before,
there is a very good chance that XP will have all the drivers already in
place.

As a sort of a last ditch suggestion you could try running both Spybot &
Windows Defender to get rig of most spyware. You could then run CCleaner (
www.ccleaner.com ) as a registry editor and clean up utility.

That might prevent the need for a reinstall.

But I am doubtful. I find XP gets funky after 12 months and usually
requires a clean installation to keep working properly.

"PA Bear" wrote:

> A Repair Install will NOT resolve your problems!
> --
> ~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
> MS MVP-Windows (IE, OE, Security, Shell/User)
> AumHa VSOP & Admin http://aumha.net
> DTS-L http://dts-l.net/
>
> Shinra14 wrote:
> > Hi,
> >
> > Thank You for all the ideas. See the computer is running pretty slow. I
> > tried to remove any spyware I can find but the computer is still running a
> > lot slower than it probably should. Maybe a XP install is not needed. I
> > can't use a drivers CD because there is none, thats why I was looking for
> > how to locate drivers online. Sorry if this has been answered before, but
> > is there a way to wipe the computer clean so that it would only have the
> > factory defaults (still has what it came with such as windows and the
> > drivers for hardware and such) in memory?
> >
> > Thanks
> >
> > "Shinra14" wrote:
> >
> >> Hi,
> >>
> >> I have a computer that I need to re-install windows XP on. However, the
> >> person that owns the computer doesn't have the drivers CD for his
> >> computer.
> >> The computer is fairly older and it doesn't have any tech support. I was
> >> wondering if there was a way to find out which drivers I need and where I
> >> would find them?
> >>
> >> Thank You for your help and time,
>
>
 
Shinra14 wrote:
> Hi,
>
> I have a computer that I need to re-install windows XP on. However, the
> person that owns the computer doesn't have the drivers CD for his computer.
> The computer is fairly older and it doesn't have any tech support. I was
> wondering if there was a way to find out which drivers I need and where I
> would find them?
>
> Thank You for your help and time,


Have you tried the manufacturer's web site? Have you tried the web
sites of the computer's various components' manufacturers?


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html

They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. ~Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. ~Bertrand Russell

The philosopher has never killed any priests, whereas the priest has
killed a great many philosophers.
~ Denis Diderot
 
one consideration is that
the word "old" as in old
computer does play a role
in performance.

today, webpages are more
complex and software has
evolved as well. so if the old
pc has not evolved, e.g. been
upgraded, then this can be
a factor for your issue.

for example, if the old computer
has a insufficient amount of ram
and it is of the older class, then
it is also slow, this adds to the
problem.

if the cpu is of the class that is
slower, then this contributes to
the problem.

if the harddrive is small and
also of the slower class it also
adds to the issue.

also, if the floppy drive or cd drive
is not exactly functional then
this can also contribute to the
problem.

possibly adding a video graphics
board might even improve the
state of the pc.

so as you can see by the above
the old computer may simply
not have enough processing
power to meet the high demands
of today, though the demands
were not as great a few years ago.

keep in mind, however, that if
you attempt to reinstall the
o.s., you may be successful "or"
may not be successful.

so have you anticipated the "what if"
you are sitting at the old computer
and it no longer wants to boot?

be sure to use this valuable time
to transfer important files onto
a safe location in the event of
system failure.

in my opinion you really should
go into safemode and simply do
some computer cleanup first. it
may be long over due and perhaps
the cause of the issue.

when you do log into that computer,
provide us with some statistics, like
cpu, ram, hd and the model.

--

db ·´¯`·.¸. , . .·´¯`·..><)))º>`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸.·´¯`·...¸><)))º>¸.
><)))º>·´¯`·.¸. , . .·´¯`·.. ><)))º>`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸.·´¯`·...¸><)))º>


..


"Shinra14" <Shinra14@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:99369E71-62BC-458D-9728-1BE729058249@microsoft.com...
> Hi,
>
> Thank You for all the ideas. See the computer is running pretty slow. I
> tried to remove any spyware I can find but the computer is still running a
> lot slower than it probably should. Maybe a XP install is not needed. I can't
> use a drivers CD because there is none, thats why I was looking for how to
> locate drivers online. Sorry if this has been answered before, but is there a
> way to wipe the computer clean so that it would only have the factory
> defaults (still has what it came with such as windows and the drivers for
> hardware and such) in memory?
>
> Thanks
>
> "Shinra14" wrote:
>
>> Hi,
>>
>> I have a computer that I need to re-install windows XP on. However, the
>> person that owns the computer doesn't have the drivers CD for his computer.
>> The computer is fairly older and it doesn't have any tech support. I was
>> wondering if there was a way to find out which drivers I need and where I
>> would find them?
>>
>> Thank You for your help and time,
 
HagarTheHorrible wrote:

>
> But I am doubtful. I find XP gets funky after 12 months and usually
> requires a clean installation to keep working properly.
>
Funky after 12 months? My laptop's been running XP for over three years
without any significant problems.

Bill
 
Why don't you replace your 3 inch adding machine platen with a 12 inch
typewriter platen?
" db ´¯`·.. ><)))º>` .. ." <databaseben.public.newsgroup.microsoft.com>
wrote in message news:e9mO07jSIHA.4104@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
> one consideration is that
> the word "old" as in old
> computer does play a role
> in performance.
>
> today, webpages are more
> complex and software has
> evolved as well. so if the old
> pc has not evolved, e.g. been
> upgraded, then this can be
> a factor for your issue.
>
> for example, if the old computer
> has a insufficient amount of ram
> and it is of the older class, then
> it is also slow, this adds to the
> problem.
>
> if the cpu is of the class that is
> slower, then this contributes to
> the problem.
>
> if the harddrive is small and
> also of the slower class it also
> adds to the issue.
>
> also, if the floppy drive or cd drive
> is not exactly functional then
> this can also contribute to the
> problem.
>
> possibly adding a video graphics
> board might even improve the
> state of the pc.
>
> so as you can see by the above
> the old computer may simply
> not have enough processing
> power to meet the high demands
> of today, though the demands
> were not as great a few years ago.
>
> keep in mind, however, that if
> you attempt to reinstall the
> o.s., you may be successful "or"
> may not be successful.
>
> so have you anticipated the "what if"
> you are sitting at the old computer
> and it no longer wants to boot?
>
> be sure to use this valuable time
> to transfer important files onto
> a safe location in the event of
> system failure.
>
> in my opinion you really should
> go into safemode and simply do
> some computer cleanup first. it
> may be long over due and perhaps
> the cause of the issue.
>
> when you do log into that computer,
> provide us with some statistics, like
> cpu, ram, hd and the model.
>
> --
>
> db ·´¯`·.¸. , . .·´¯`·..><)))º>`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸.·´¯`·...¸><)))º>¸.
>><)))º>·´¯`·.¸. , . .·´¯`·.. ><)))º>`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸.·´¯`·...¸><)))º>
>
>
> .
>
>
> "Shinra14" <Shinra14@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:99369E71-62BC-458D-9728-1BE729058249@microsoft.com...
>> Hi,
>>
>> Thank You for all the ideas. See the computer is running pretty slow. I
>> tried to remove any spyware I can find but the computer is still running
>> a
>> lot slower than it probably should. Maybe a XP install is not needed. I
>> can't
>> use a drivers CD because there is none, thats why I was looking for how
>> to
>> locate drivers online. Sorry if this has been answered before, but is
>> there a
>> way to wipe the computer clean so that it would only have the factory
>> defaults (still has what it came with such as windows and the drivers for
>> hardware and such) in memory?
>>
>> Thanks
>>
>> "Shinra14" wrote:
>>
>>> Hi,
>>>
>>> I have a computer that I need to re-install windows XP on. However, the
>>> person that owns the computer doesn't have the drivers CD for his
>>> computer.
>>> The computer is fairly older and it doesn't have any tech support. I was
>>> wondering if there was a way to find out which drivers I need and where
>>> I
>>> would find them?
>>>
>>> Thank You for your help and time,
>
 
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