XP Reinstall-Drivers

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Lum wrote: »

Just make sure that the first site you visit is http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com You're behind a router so you aren't going to get infected by worms actually attacking your machine, only by stuff you inadvertantly download. Once you've run Windows Update, go straight back there and see if it has any more for you. It probably will. Keep repeating this process until there are no more updates. (Then install Firefox )

Just to make sure I will ensure my firewall and AV are working first;)
Opera first and then Firefox as back up;)

Lum wrote: »

I mean the drivers for the network card. What card is it? At that age of PC, and using built in drivers, my money is on a Realtek 8139.

It's an Intel 10/100 integrated network controller. Dell say the driver should be 7.0.26.0, A05 dated 22/04/03 but in device manager it's showing version 8.0.21.0 dated 13/06/05

-TangleFoot-

Iconic wrote: »

in device manager it's showing version 8.0.21.0 dated 13/06/05

Dell and co. are notoriously lax when it comes to driver updates. You probably acquired the later version with a Windows update or something. Since it obviously works, you can back it up with Double Driver.

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I have downloaded Double Driver and saved the non MS drivers.

Ready to go now but just need to ensure all my progs are available to reinstall.

-TangleFoot-

Iconic wrote: »

I have downloaded Double Driver and saved the non MS drivers.

Make sure you clicked 'Backup' rather than 'Save', otherwise all you'll have is a text file with a list of drivers in it! :rotfl:

Lum

Iconic wrote: »

Just to make sure I will ensure my firewall and AV are working first;)
Opera first and then Firefox as back up;)

Windows firewall is fine. I wouldn't bother with a 3rd party firewall these days (particularly ZoneAlarm, more trouble than it's worse IMO) A quick visit to the Windows Update site (via the start menu icon to avoid spelling errors) and you'll be fine.

It's an Intel 10/100 integrated network controller. Dell say the driver should be 7.0.26.0, A05 dated 22/04/03 but in device manager it's showing version 8.0.21.0 dated 13/06/05

As stated you probably got that through Windows Update. Keep the dell one around, or get the Intel one if you reckon you can find the correct driver on their mess of a drivers site, it'll get you on the internet and then you can deal with the rest from there.

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-TangleFoot- wrote: »

Make sure you clicked 'Backup' rather than 'Save', otherwise all you'll have is a text file with a list of drivers in it! :rotfl:

I like the way it backs up (saves!) them. Folders for Display/NET/Media and the rest.It doesn't seem to have a folder for MSVBVM60.dll but hopefully it's not going to be needed anyway.

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Lum wrote: »

Windows firewall is fine. I wouldn't bother with a 3rd party firewall these days (particularly ZoneAlarm, more trouble than it's worse IMO) A quick visit to the Windows Update site (via the start menu icon to avoid spelling errors) and you'll be fine.

I use an old version of the Kerio firewall. Unobtrusive and I sort of understand how it works. I have tried other firewalls and gave up on them because they were so complicated!