I think I need an old, unsupported driver?

cooljammer00

I formatted my computer and reinstalled Windows XP Home, but I can only assume that I don't have the drivers I need anymore. I can't connect to the internet, and the Verizon DSL installation program doesn't recognize the modem, so I can't finish the installation tool. I think I might need to install/update my "BCM 4412 10/100 Ethernet Network Adapter" driver, but amazingly, Broadcom doesn't seem to support this driver anymore. I know the computer is old, but I didn't think I'd have an issue before I wiped the comp. I figured i'd be able to redownload it, but I guess not.

What can I do? Am I just screwed? It doesn't seem to be on the internet anymore, and the driver disk I've got doesn't seem to have it (I'm not too savvy, so maybe it's on here and I missed it)

JebusUD

cooljammer00 wrote: »

I formatted my computer and reinstalled Windows XP Home, but I can only assume that I don't have the drivers I need anymore. I can't connect to the internet, and the Verizon DSL installation program doesn't recognize the modem, so I can't finish the installation tool. I think I might need to install/update my "BCM 4412 10/100 Ethernet Network Adapter" driver, but amazingly, Broadcom doesn't seem to support this driver anymore. I know the computer is old, but I didn't think I'd have an issue before I wiped the comp. I figured i'd be able to redownload it, but I guess not.

What can I do? Am I just screwed? It doesn't seem to be on the internet anymore, and the driver disk I've got doesn't seem to have it (I'm not too savvy, so maybe it's on here and I missed it)

I know there are some old driver websites out there, but I can't think of one right now. A quick google search comes up with sites that all link to broadcoms non existent page for the driver.

I would just buy a new network adapter. They are real cheap.

Edit: Hell, this one is 12 bucks

edit: oooh! and this one is 10. It claims to be plug and play too. that gets rid of the driver problem.

japan

http://driverpacks.net/driverpacks/latest

These packs are composed of pretty much every available driver for Windows, they're meant to be used for making unattended install CDs that work on any hardware. Download the LAN pack, extract it somewhere, then when XP searches for drivers, point it at that folder.

cooljammer00

Alright guys, so that worked great. I also popped in the driver disk that came with the computer and was able to update the VGA, so now things don't look like the 1980s anymore.

Still, I think I'm missing a few drivers. In my device manager, it has a ? next to Multimedia Audio Controller, Lexmark X5100 Series, PCI Simple Communications Controller, Scan, and SM Bus Controller. I can only imagine I might need drivers for some of those things, a few that seem important. Is there a quick way to update all of these things to the latest and greatest? Windows Update, I guess, right?

pacbowl

Windows update will rarely work for device drivers unless they are already installed. The driver disk you have for the computer should have everything needed to install most everything. If not, look up your computer make/model on the manufacturers website. dell.com, hp.com, etc... and get the drivers from there. Failing that, go to the motherboard manufacturers website and try there. If you don't know what kind it is, you can install a program such as Sanrda and find out. (there's a freeware version)

I would stay away from those programs that claim to "Detect and update your drivers automatically!" that you find on some drivers websites.

The Lexmark looks like a simple printer driver download.

cooljammer00

Okay, I don't feel like starting a whole new thread, but ever since reformatting or whatever, now when I start the computer, it hovers on a blank screen with only a blinking _ for a bit before it goes into a screen where I have to choose between Windows XP Home Edition...and Windows XP Home Edition. Yet only the first choice works. How do I get it to stop doing this?

Also, how do I stop reinstallation? I chose "Repair using recovery console" by accident and now it won't stop trying to reinstall windows. Even without the disk/power shutting down.

eternalbl

Sounds like you reinstalled without a format or started a second installation accidentally.

Personally I'd put the network adapter driver on a CD, wipe the computer again making sure to format, and use windows update to install drivers for virtually everything after the network card.

cooljammer00

I dunno, it asked me where I wanted to install the Windows. There were two partitions, both of which I deleted. I guess I could reinstall, but I'd like not to do it if I didn't have to.

eternalbl

There's always a workaround

As long as your certain that you formatted the first time and didn't partially install windows a second time, reading over that should give you what you need.