laptop does not recognize any hardware

jim milewski · Post by **jim milewski** » 8 Apr 2010 3:28 am

My laptop crashed so I put XP on it and I have no hardware like sound, network connectors, wifi etc, (which it had before) it did recognize a printer when i plugged it in though, any ideas?

Jack Stoner · Post by **Jack Stoner** » 8 Apr 2010 5:36 am

What PC is this?

Did it have XP on it before? - you need Windows XP specific drivers. On a reinstall, most computers require (1) Install OS (2) Install motherbord chipset drivers (3) Install device drivers including sound, video, ethernet, etc.

First place to check is the PC vendor for the needed drivers.

The chipset drivers are key, in most PC's, to a successful install. The chipset drivers define (identify) all the devices on the motherboard and without them many devices such as sound cannot be installed.

jim milewski · Post by **jim milewski** » 8 Apr 2010 6:14 am

thanks Jack, I called the vender and they are sending a disk with an OS and one with the correct drivers

John Cipriano · Post by **John Cipriano** » 8 Apr 2010 7:25 am

Usually the driver for wired LAN is key to the whole thing, because if you don't have that one you can't download the rest. In fact, these days Windows Update should be able to figure out most of what you need once you're on the internet. But having the CD is nice too.

Jack Stoner · Post by **Jack Stoner** » 8 Apr 2010 10:20 am

XP isn't as good as Win 7 or even Vista for finding drivers and in some cases the drivers that Windows finds is incorrect. That is the case with most Dell's that have Integrated Audio systems, because of their custom implementation. We see that all the time on the Dell Community (forum).