Mystery Motherboard

The Snert

ive been helping my friend fix a computer, and we both decided to reformat the hdd after it got infected with a nasty virus. Ok, cool.

Unfortunately, I have no idea where to find the drivers of the onboard stuff like video, audio and ethernet for this computer since its a refurb with different guts. I tried using the drivers off the Dell website by matching model (its a Dell Dimension 4600c) and serial tag, and those don't work.

Is there any way to somehow detect what manufacturer made this mobo and then the specific drivers for it?

bombardier

Crack open the case and see what's printed on it.

Esh

It's a refurb from Dell? Does he not have the backup disc?

DHS Odium

SiSoftware Sandra. There's a free version that will tell you everything you need to know. Just transfer the setup file with a cd or USB drive.

SmokeStacks

I've still got an old version of PCWizard 2006 on a thumb drive that I use whenever I have a component that is not easily identified. It runs from whatever media you've got it on (thumbdrive, optical disc, whatever), and it's made by the same people that made CPU-Z (which is another freeware program that will identify your motherboard).

Once you've got the manufacturer/model number, you can hit their website for the drivers.

vonPoonBurGer

You can also identify the motherboard by writing down the BIOS ID that appears at boot time, then searching for that string on a site like this one. It might not work for a Dell, though, their custom BIOS setups often hide this info.

Captain Vash

DHS Odium wrote: »

SiSoftware Sandra. There's a free version that will tell you everything you need to know. Just transfer the setup file with a cd or USB drive.

This is what I always do.

The Snert

Awesome responces guys, I checked out both cpu z and sisandra and they show me more then enough information for what I need. Its pretty amazing actually. Thanks mengs.