Sooooo....

I have a Dell and got some viruses and lost ability to use Windows explorer. I got sick of running programs through Ctrl+Alt+Delete and I did not pay the 10 bucks when buying my desktop for the Dell backup CD's - next time I definitely will.


I did however have a reinstall disc from a Gateway PC for XP w/ Media Center, so I gave that a shot. Now I can't connect to the internet no matter what I try with the Internet Connection Wizard... including restarting the modem and all of that jazz.


Was it a bad idea to try a Gateway disc on a Dell? Anyone have the proper ones?

[Edited on December 16, 2007 at 1:59 AM. Reason : btw no option to download drivers from dell website, no way to get them onto the PC right now]

12/16/2007 1:47:13 AM

It is a Dell Dimension E310 btw.

12/16/2007 3:03:57 AM

go to library w/ USB drive & download drivers from Dell.com
http://tinyurl.com/22st79

or you could try d/l'ing OEM version of the CD's
http://thepiratebay.org/tor/3580548/Windows_XP_Media_Center_Edition_2005_OEM

and try the key that's printed on your case

12/16/2007 3:12:23 AM

reinstall your network drivers the dell mobo's drivers arent in XP's database...

12/16/2007 8:28:47 AM

Finally borrowed a neighbors usb drive and got the drivers set up....

Now I need to activate my Gateway copy of XP... without any activation codes. Shiiit. It is in the wrong case, no idea were the original is.

[Edited on December 16, 2007 at 4:04 PM. Reason : a]

12/16/2007 4:03:35 PM

you should find one on the back/side of the PC (dell) ... check if that works

12/16/2007 4:16:40 PM

Non-OEM keys do not work with OEM versions of Windows. I know this from direct experience with Windows XP and Windows MCE 2004 and 2005.

(I have legitimate OEM and retail versions of all of the above.)

12/16/2007 4:58:49 PM

the key on the PC worked. sweet. Now I have to download a shitload of codecs

12/16/2007 6:18:18 PM