Re-installed Windows XP, only to find that several important drivers were missing!

Insectoid · **Posted:** Sun Jan 18, 2009 6:28 pm

So, my PC was being stupid, so I re-installed windows. Guess what? MDG didn't provide the driver CDs for the included hardware (yeah, this PC's from MDG). I looked on the Windows disk, and the drivers aren't on there. So, my problem is, my PCI slots aren't functioning, nor my NIC. So neither my NIC won't work, or my wireless card. I installed EVEREST (a system profiler utility) and it won't show my NIC either. As such, I can't find out what model the NIC is, and so can't download the right driver. Damn you Windows!

Anyone have an idea how I can fix this (don't suggest installing Linux, it's a family PC and they fail to see the problems Microsoft has to offer).

In case you want to know, it's an MDG Vision circa 5 or 6 years ago (I've been begging for a new one, but no, they say, this one's good enough...)

md · **Posted:** Sun Jan 18, 2009 8:26 pm

linux live-cd. Boot, get the hardware info, download windows drivers and burn a CD.

Insectoid · **Posted:** Sun Jan 18, 2009 8:33 pm

Thank you! Didn't even think of that. Will do!

Clayton · **Posted:** Sun Jan 18, 2009 8:45 pm

I've had the same problem with my laptop. Unfortunately, either I'm just simply blind and retarded and can't find the actual parts that are in my laptop, or they actually aren't listed in Windows without the drivers.

Insectoid · **Posted:** Sun Jan 18, 2009 9:26 pm

Just another reason to hate windows.

Silent Avenger · **Posted:** Sun Jan 18, 2009 11:04 pm

I've actually have had to do this to one of my laptops and the recovery discs usually won't have some drivers for components such as modems, network cards, sound cards, etc. Usually the company website should have the model type of you computer listed and have the drivers available for download. Although it makes me think if your modem doesn't work how would you download the drivers?

Insectoid · **Posted:** Mon Jan 19, 2009 4:09 pm

My modem works fine, it's my NIC that isn't. My guess is that the PCI driver is missing? I'll use my laptop to download the drivers.

MDG does NOT list their drivers. They are the worst as far as service, and their hardware is definitely down there.

MD (or any linux user), would Ubuntu come with a hardware info utility?

Vertico · **Posted:** Mon Jan 19, 2009 4:17 pm

DemonWasp · **Posted:** Mon Jan 19, 2009 4:51 pm

Try the command

code:

lspci

it should give you a fair idea of what exact chipset you've got; enough to look it up on the internets.

Insectoid · **Posted:** Mon Jan 19, 2009 8:49 pm

Well, that did it. We got all the drivers and now everything works fine. Thanks. I knew that live CD would come in handy...

Insectoid · **Posted:** Sun Mar 22, 2009 11:24 am

Well, laziness and me not using that PC have resulted in several months with the front USB's not working. They don't even show up in 'unknown devices'. MDG doesn't even list the drivers on their website! it might be a loose cable, I'll look into it when my dad is finished importing videos. Hurrah for self-necroing!

x-ecutioner · **Posted:** Wed Mar 25, 2009 3:40 pm

its quite the bitch.

my suggestion
start > right click my computer > Properties > hardware > Device manager

go to the yellow icon with a black question mark
expand the tree
it should display the drivers required
i hope this helps

Insectoid · **Posted:** Wed Mar 25, 2009 4:56 pm

That's what I meant by "unknown devices". It's not there.

x30Jx · **Posted:** Wed Mar 25, 2009 8:26 pm

OSX FTW!
(macnut here.)

Insectoid · **Posted:** Wed Mar 25, 2009 8:26 pm

I'm on my macbook pro right now, I love OSX. This is just my PC.

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