Question:
I just downgraded from Vista to XP... any help with driver issues?
Rabullione
2008-03-03 19:29:46 UTC
Now that I've downgraded, I'm having a lot of driver issues... My main concern is that I can't connect to the internet.

I have the 'Drivers and Utilities' disk that came with the laptop (Dell Inspiron 1521), but it wont install--it gives me a window saying:

1155:File E:\INSTALL\instmsi30.exe not found

When I go My Computer>Manage>Device Manager I see
"Base System Device
Bace System Device
Base System Device
Ethernet Controller
Network Controller
PCI Device
SM Bus Controller &
Video Controller (VGA Compatible)" all still without drivers. I've got no Idea how to find out the names of these devices or where to begin to find drivers for them (the Dell site sucks)... Anybody know what I should do?
Seven answers:
loreupnorth
2008-03-03 19:40:49 UTC
Well that may be an upgrade....



Anyway see the link below Dell supports XP on that machine



Install the "chipset" (motherboard) driver first, everything else will rely on this being fully functional, then get the network, modem and so on as needed for your exact configuration,



they don't list a "video card" driver so it may be native to XP and install itself once the "chipset" driver is in (then windows will communicate with and properly recognize new hardware)



If XP does not put in a driver for the video just change the OS in the dropdown to Vista and try the Vista video driver, (if you have the Radeon 1250 video) , if that won't install you can get the "generic" driver for a 1250 at ATI's site, the generics are good, they might not have a feature or two that Dell may have incorporated into their own driver
digitalrefuse
2008-03-03 19:44:16 UTC
I reread your post and noticed a couple of things:

- instmsi30.exe is the MSI 3.0 installer. It looks like one of the driver installers needs an updated version of the Microsoft Installer (MSI).



- It looks like all of the drivers you're looking for would probably be installed by loading up the chipset drivers from here: http://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/downloads/en/downloads_splash?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs&~mode=popup&file=237053



If you go to Dell's website, they'll have a list of drivers for your model that you can choose to download and install. I put a link to your model's downloads page below.



Good luck with the downgrade - you may want to keep an eye out for updated reviews of Vista SP1 when it comes out officially in like a month or two as it may fix your issues with Vista (though that remains to be seen).
?
2016-10-23 10:12:19 UTC
you're stupid. Vista is incredible. genuinely, i imagine that is the finished living house windows available or perhaps the finished operating gadget on the marketplace. once you're having issues, that is likely no longer living house windows Vista. besides, to respond to your question, you want each and every of the drivers stupid. Audio, Video, Motherboard, Chipset, and so on and so on and so on.
azuredreamz
2008-03-03 20:02:29 UTC
this site will list what you need and the websites where you can find them.

http://www.notebookforums.com/showthread.php?p=2819440





hope that does help a little, at least send you in the right direction. i know the dell's xp drivers are hard to find.



edit: the person above said you can get them from dell site and i was able to find them too, direct link

http://support.dell.com/support/downloads/driverslist.aspx?os=WW1&osl=EN&catid=-1&impid=-1&servicetag=&SystemID=INS_PNT_PM_1521&hidos=WLH&hidlang=en



hopefully it is what you need.
Detry
2008-03-03 19:34:49 UTC
Those devices are all integrated into your motherboard. You need to contact Dell and get the motherboard manufacturer and the manufacturers model name for it, then contact the motherboard manufacturer and inquire if they have XP drivers available.
Redmansdad
2008-03-03 19:40:35 UTC
Did the computer come with Vista or XP? If it happened to come with XP I would just wipe it all out and start over.
inclusive_disjunction
2008-03-03 19:41:37 UTC
http://support.dell.com/support/downloads/driverslist.aspx?os=WW1&osl=EN&catid=-1&impid=-1&servicetag=&SystemID=INS_PNT_PM_1521&hidos=WLH&hidlang=en


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