Detecting drivers on an obsolete laptop.

Run_to_da_hills · 29-09-2011 9:45am #1

Im reloading XP on a laptop that can no longer be supported because it's manufacture no longer exists. Whats the best programme for automatically detecting drivers?

Is there any way of doing this free

danger_mouse_tm · 29-09-2011 12:32pm

Just post up as much info as you can about the laptop (make model etc) all the numbers you can find underneath, and people like me that have a spare hour and love a challenge will get the drivers for you!

BostonB · 29-09-2011 12:37pm

You might another brand used the same components and their drivers will work.

PogMoThoin · 29-09-2011 12:37pm

If you can get the network card working windows updates will usually find them when updated to Xp service pack 3, it's got better over the years

danger_mouse_tm · 29-09-2011 12:47pm

I use a usb wifi dongle to get onto windows update and see what that picks up when you do a "custom" search. I would advise to manually set a restore point before installing a graphics driver as windows update is known to to install the wrong driver on some laptops.

Run_to_da_hills · 29-09-2011 1:16pm

Its a Maxdata Pro 7000X Centrino guess about 2005 vintage.

Loaded a copy of XP Corp with SP2 to get started, I doubt if I could get any windows updates as this copy would be unauthorised.

Theres an OEM op sys code on the base of the PC, could I use this again if I loaded the correct version of Windows? I believe it came with XP Pro.

Cheers.

Allyall · 29-09-2011 2:09pm

Intel 855 GM Chipset

Audio - Crystal WDM AC'97 Driver for ICH4

Intel® 82852/82855 Graphics Controller Family

Network - Broadcom 440x 10/100 Integrated Controller

As per - This Site

Oops.. Must have accidentally copied the thread link into the Title of my post, can't remove it..

ronkmonster · 29-09-2011 2:25pm

http://sourceforge.net/projects/drvback/
will make a backup of the drivers if you haven't already wiped it.

Unauthorised windows can get automatic updates just can't go to the update website and install from there.

Run_to_da_hills · 29-09-2011 3:08pm

Cheers, another question.

Original hard drive is knacked and replaced it.

I installed XP Pro (which was originally on this machine)

When i typed in the XP code that was on the underside of laptop it reads as incorrect product key. Any way around this one?

I dont have the original operating sys install disks.

Cheers.

danger_mouse_tm · 29-09-2011 4:24pm

Install windows but don't enter a key. Just click next when it asks you for a key Then use this:
http://www.mydigitallife.info/easily-change-product-key-with-windows-product-key-update-tool-free-download/

ronkmonster · 29-09-2011 4:49pm

Sounds like you need an oem xp disc and you've used a retail disk.

Run_to_da_hills wrote: »

Cheers, another question.

Original hard drive is knacked and replaced it.

I installed XP Pro (which was originally on this machine)

When i typed in the XP code that was on the underside of laptop it reads as incorrect product key. Any way around this one?

I dont have the original operating sys install disks.

Cheers.

danger_mouse_tm · 29-09-2011 4:51pm

All my discs are technet downloads. I don't need keys unless I want to activate them. Best 200 euro I ever spent.

Run_to_da_hills · 29-09-2011 5:03pm

ronkmonster wrote: »

Sounds like you need an oem xp disc and you've used a retail disk.

Its a Dell XP Pro SP1 disk (Dark Green) I got it on Ebay with its own product key, It worked fine on a generic desk top I put together a few years ago. I thought it should also work with the product key from laptop.

I have another disk with all versions of XP including corp. home etc but seems corrupt.

danger_mouse_tm · 29-09-2011 5:06pm

Run_to_da_hills wrote: »

Its a Dell XP Pro SP1 disk (Dark Green) I got it on Ebay with its own product key, It worked fine on a generic desk top I put together a few years ago. I thought it should also work with the product key from laptop.

I have another disk with all versions of XP including corp. home etc but seems corrupt.

Use your dell disk AND key but don't activate. download the xp key changer on the link that i posted earlier and run that to change the key - activation will be automatic then you can force your updates after a restart

ronkmonster · 29-09-2011 5:31pm

Run_to_da_hills wrote: »

Its a Dell XP Pro SP1 disk (Dark Green) I got it on Ebay with its own product key, It worked fine on a generic desk top I put together a few years ago. I thought it should also work with the product key from laptop.

I have another disk with all versions of XP including corp. home etc but seems corrupt.

A lot of the oem brands have keys on the boxes that don't work when you key them in.

Never tried danger mouses method before but I did activate a dell by phone with the key on the box. Worked for a while but eventually(months) said it wasn't genuine.

Run_to_da_hills · 30-09-2011 11:25am

danger_mouse_tm wrote: »

Use your dell disk AND key but don't activate. download the xp key changer on the link that i posted earlier and run that to change the key - activation will be automatic then you can force your updates after a restart

Cheers, that worked.

I still seem to have issues installing the audio drivers.

dilallio · 30-09-2011 12:23pm

I've had similar issues.
If you open the Device Manager, and look either in the Sound driver section or the Unknown device section.
Open the Properties and check the hardware ID value.
It will be something like this:
HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_8384&DEV_76A0&SUBSYS_102801F2&REV_1002

Take note of the Vendor Id & Device Id (similar to the ones marked in bold above)

Go to the URL http://www.pcidatabase.com/

Enter the Vendor and Device.
This will tell you what driver you should use for the device, and from there google should help you locate the driver.

Detecting drivers on an obsolete laptop.

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