Very Stupid Question

[blas]

Normally, I wouldn't ask anything so "duh" and minor, but there isn't anyone to stop by here this week or help me at home.

I got my mom's old computer, which is a mid 2000s model Dell. It has XP (thank the Lord no more Vista!). My brother wiped it clean before he gave it to me.

The only problem is, I can't get it to recognize my cable modem as the way to connect online. I'm not sure if my brother forgot that part or if it's something I have to do.

At my parents' house, they have a wireless router, so it's used to a wireless signal. I'm not a thief and don't have a router or wireless signal to call my own, so I just want to be able to set it up to recognize my modem.

Help?

Edit to add: It's not an emergency, I'd just like to have it fixed sometime this week. This computer here is pretty close to its last leg, or my last nerve.

[barcode]

We'll need to know the following:

- How are you connecting to the modem (you state you don't have a router)? The two most common are Ethernet or USB. If you use ethernet (the large phone jack, an RJ-45), then XP should pop up a wizard once you connect the cable properly. If you have it hooked up via USB, then you'll need the setup CD from the cable company, as this should have the proper USB drivers on it.

- Which model computer you have, to allow us to see if you have an ethernet port (most Dells do).

- Which model modem you have. Some cable outfits (like ours here) have the option of installing a stand-alone modem, such as a Ubee, a modem/router combo, like a Netgear, or a modem/router/WiFi, like a Cisco/Linksys or Netgear. Knowing this helps us figure out the best way to connect and configure.

I prefer to have any desktop *wired* to the modem/router, as this alone eliminates all the DHCP, WPA, and passphrase setup crap. Just plug it in and go. If you don't have a Cat5/6 cable handy to do this, and you have both a WiFi router and an adapter on the Dell, then we can do that, too. If you use USB, then you need the CD (and it tends to be slower, IMPO).

barcode

(And this is not "duh" and minor: networking can get awfully complex real fast!)

[lordlundar]

I'm willing to say the issue isn't with your modem, but with your Network Interface Card (aka the ethernet port aka the thing that looks like a wider phone jack). They require a separate set of drivers even if they're built into the motherboard and often enough Windows can't locate a generic substitute and factory settings sometimes overlook the NIC. If it can't see that, then it can't see anything plugged into it. Worse still, it never lets you know in this case so you don't think there's anything wrong.

As barcode said, let us know the model and we can help you out better.

[crashhelmet]

Blas, Ideally everything should just be "plug and play." If your network card is set at its defaults, you should be able to plug a cable into it and the cable modem and Windows will do the rest. That's why the type of system and modem you have will be important to us.

One other thing to consider, you may need to get your internet provider to provision, or activate, your cable modem on their network. If I go out and buy a new modem, I have to call my provider and have them activate it on my account so it will work.

CH

[blas]

Dell Inspiron E1505? Is that right?

My modem I've had for a long time, but for some reason, nothing pops up when I put the Ethernet cable into the back of the computer.

[lordlundar]

I still maintain it's the NIC not being recognized. It's the most common issue and for some odd reason even factory restore disks have a hit or miss track record.

Windows XP Media Center Operating system, right? (If it's factory settings it should be)

If so: here's the steps for opening the device manager:

Click on Start and then Control Panel.

Click on the Performance and Maintenance link.

Note: If you're viewing the Classic View of Control Panel, you won't see this link. Simple double-click on the System icon and proceed to Step 4.

In the Performance and Maintenance window, click on the System icon near the bottom of the window.

In the System Properties window, click on the Hardware tab.

With the Hardware tab selected, click on the Device Manager button.

Once open, There should be an option there labelled "Network Adapters" and it should look like a circuit board. Click the arrow next to it and it should show a device there with the name "Broadcom 440x" or similar in it. and there should not be any extra icons on it like a warning icon (yellow triangle/circle with an exclamation point) or similar. If you don't see that label or don't see a Network adapter option at all, then your computer doesn't know what it is. If that's the case, then follow the next steps (If you see an icon similar to what I described let us know):

Go to this website and scroll down until you see "Network (8)". Click the arrow next to it.

The second application is the one you want, the one labelled "Broadcom-Driver" Click the "Download File" button to the right of it and select "Download Now" on the little pop up that occurs.

Save to an easy accessible location (I prefer the desktop but as long as you remember where you saved it to it's fine) and if necessary transfer it over to your laptop.

Run the application and follow the directions. It might need a reboot but after the NIC should be recognized.

[dalesys]

Dell Inspiron E1505? Is that right?

That's probably new enough (2006?) that XP doesn't have the Network Interface drivers.

I recently cranked up a refurb Dell Optiplex 745 on XP and had the same problem. (also audio and some other updates.) With 6 other PCs in the house and plenty of USB sticks it was no problem to download, transfer and install the drivers.

Try this page http://www.dell.com/support/drivers/us/en/19 and either fill in the Service Tag / Express Service Code OR choose from a list of all Dell Products. [Continue]
=> Laptops => Inspiron => Inspiron E1505

Dillweed wants you to use their download manager

If you (or a friend) are familiar with Device Manager, that can help you identify which downloads are needed.

ETA: got lorded over

[crashhelmet]

Blas, do us a favor and check something for us.

Click on the Start button and then click on "Run"
Type “devmgmt.msc” (without the quotes) and hit “OK”

This will open up the Windows Device Manager. It should look something like this:


Please tell us everything that's listed in the Network Adapters section. You might have to click the + sign next to it to expand it.

Also, if there is an "Other Devices" section, let us know what's there as well.

Thanks!

CH

[blas]

Thanks for your patience and support, guys!

I'm afraid I gotta ask to hold off a sec or two because I still have 2 more long shifts ahead and I won't be back online until Friday evening. Promise I will provide what's been asked.

[barcode]

Huh. When you said it was your mom's old computer, I didn't realize it was a laptop. No matter, I've downloaded the manual.

My brother wiped it clean before he gave it to me.

Can you ask him HOW he "wiped it clean"? If he didn't use the Dell CDs (or recovery partition), then, as the others are hinting at, no drivers were installed for the custom hardware - you'll need a computer already connected to the internet to download them (Dell makes it relatively painless to do so), and a flash drive to save them to.

Before we all run you down the long road of "try this" and "do that", I'd like you to...

Try this:

With the laptop on, hold the blue "Fn" key at the lower left of the keyboard and tap the F2 key at the top row. This should turn OFF the WiFi icon (fourth light from the left in the display panel). Once the WiFi has been disabled, Windows may "wake up" and switch adapters. (You stated earlier you don't have any wireless at your place, so this will also save some power being drawn from the battery). Hopefully, it will then detect your other connection, and run the wizard. (Note: Since you are connecting directly to the modem, I recommend using the "Public Access" setting instead of the "Home Network" option of the setup wizard, as that will default to better privacy and security settings).

If you still don't get a connection, try unplugging the modem's power (you can keep the laptop on) for a minute or so, then plug it back in. It may be a type of modem that links to a specific client's MAC ID (older DSLs are notorious for this, cable modems should be okay). Hopefully, power cycling it will clear this.

Also, when you plug in the ethernet cable, there should be an LED that lights up to let you know the cable is plugged in (called the "Link" light). Within a second or two, the other LED (Activity) will start blinking. If you see those, good. If not, then you may have a bad cable, or the adapter needs a driver.

Do that:

When you post back, mention the make/model of modem you've got. This will help us when/if we need you to go to any login or configure pages, and so that we can D/L the manual to see what status lights and options you have available.

barcode

[blas]

He used all the CDs required for when you backup/restore a computer. Mine has similar ones that they've used when this one has taken a dump.

I'm very sorry I didn't quite get the time tonight to turn the other computer on and get it going. I hate to make excuses, I just had an absoluetly horrid long week (I would call it the worst week ever thus far) and spent most of tonight relaxing and trying to unwind.

I will be busy most of tomorrow, but I should be able to have time tomorrow night to disable Wifi and see if that does anything. I can also try to turn the modem off and back on. I just really would rather not have to call the cable company, because they don't like to do tech support over the phone, and I can't afford $70 for someone to come to my house and do something that anyone could help me with.

[blas]

Apparently, my mom left the memory card for her camera in there, so she'll be by to come get it tomorrow and she said she'll get it to work with the cable and modem.

Thanks again everyone for your time, patience and advice!

[emax4]

Did your Mom mention any problems when she was using the same computer and modem? If you're not sure, now is a good time to ask, as you may be encountering the same thing she was (and hopefully it's an easy solution).

I checked out the Dell Inspiron E1505, and saw that it has both a modem jack and an Ethernet jack. On the back, the Ethernet is the one on the left (closer to the power plug) and the modem jack is the one on the right (closer to the USB ports). Do you have any internet access from another computer in your place or elsewhere? If so, grab a flash drive and go to the internet accessible computer, then go to Dell's website or click this link: http://www.dell.com/support/drivers/...oductSelection

At that page it'll ask for your service tag. Under the "no" section:

1. choose "Choose from a list of all Dell products"
2. Select "Laptops"
3. Select "Inspiron"
4. Choose "E1505" (3rd column)

At this point you have access to the latest drivers, and you'll see that they are categorized by "Audio", "Application", "Communication" etc. To make things easier, create a new folder on the flash drive and name it "Inspiron updates", then create new folders in that folder for "Audio", "Chipset", "Network", BIOS". This will make it easier to keep tabs on which update is which.

For now at the Dell website, select "Network", and it'll expand into the different drivers with a description at the bottom of each listing. The one you'll want is "Broadcom Driver (R149798.EXE)". You can download that to whatever computer you're using or directly to the flash drive, but place it in the applicable folder that you created earlier. The driver names are somewhat cryptic, so creating and labelling folders make it easier later on.

Chances are, some parents aren't aware of the recent upgrades and how to apply them, so you can also go through the list of other drivers and updates, and download them to the flash drive as well. There's no need to download all of them unless your model has every option from the factory, like the TV tuner. But you definitely want to get the BIOS updates, video for your video card or chipset, audio, and applications. When you're finished, eject the drive, then take it over to your Inspiron E1505.

Now you can select a driver update and apply it. In some cases, you'll be prompted to either restart the computer now or later, but in other cases you may be forced to restart at that point only. Once you have all the latest updates applied, you should be good to go to connect to the modem.

[Der Cute]

And when pulling drivers from Dell, I suggest taking notes on who's what. You can pull multiples from Dell at once, but with their funky number system on driver names, I always get confused. So I'd grab a network driver, take note, grab a vid driver, take note, then download them, organize them, and start installing. It's ok to reboot, no worries on that. You should expect it also.
Hopefully you have XP Service Pack 2 and 3 installed, you might want to see if Windows is asking for updates of its own. KEEP IN MIND that MS sometimes will suggest drivers also- you're in charge of the Dell drivers, use those first.
Windows update. Pulls a screen. Advanced (not the standard/generic download). See all patches/stuff. UNCHECK drivers for hardware. Let the OS stuff install, nothing else.
Do the updates after you've installed drivers and have run the computer for a bit, see if everything is kosher.

[EricKei]

XP Media Center Edition? ...o_O *runs away really fast*

Well, at least it's not Vista/Me...