No connection to internet

[Andrew Wilson]

I've just done a clean install of WinXP on a Dell Latitude D530 which was
previously running Vista. There was a problem with the network card when I
restarted (probably needs drivers) so I added a dongle and installed the
software for it. The two monitor icon in the system tray is showing
connected with signal excellent yet I can't connect to the internet. In
Device Manager the ZD1211B and the 1394 Net Adapter are shown to be working
well but under Other Devices there is a yellow question mark shown against
Network Controller along with other unrelated devices which I will repair
later when I get an internet connection.
Is it the Network Controller that is not allowing me access and if so how do
I update it (I have no disks for the Dell) without an internet connection?
If it is not could anyone please offer any suggestions?
Many thanks
Andrew

 

[Rich Barry]

Andrew, when you are in Device Manager>Network Adapters. Is there a
yellow check mark next to your device? What is the
make and model of your Network Card or chip? If you did a clean
install then the Network Card/chip would need the drivers
reinstalled. You will need XP drivers not Vista drivers. In fact, I
have found that some Computers with Vista installed when sold
make it very difficult to revert back to XP for lack of XP drivers. HP
comes to mind.

 

[Andrew Wilson]

Andrew, when you are in Device Manager>Network Adapters. Is there a
yellow check mark next to your device? What is the
make and model of your Network Card or chip? If you did a clean
install then the Network Card/chip would need the drivers
reinstalled. You will need XP drivers not Vista drivers. In fact, I
have found that some Computers with Vista installed when sold
make it very difficult to revert back to XP for lack of XP drivers.
HP comes to mind.

Rich
Thanks for your reply. I've just realised that I need to install all the
Dell software and drivers (which I've got from their site) for a new clean
install. Am now in the process of doing this so hopefully this will solve
the problem.
Regards
Andrew Wilson