Reformatted E-System PC - no drivers...

[J381]

I reformatted an E-Systems PC because I never had system recovery disks for it, and now I don't have any drivers installed.

I have had a look online but I can't seem to find any sites that I can download new drivers from.

So, I am now asking the collective minds of PH if they can aid me in resolving this problem?

Thanks in advance for any replies.

[cyberface]

This could be tedious work...

I'd get a decent Linux Live CD, boot from that, and then use the Linux tools to find out what hardware your PC actually has. Write down all the major components, then get the drivers from the manufacturers' websites.

Assuming you want to run Windows, if you've got a full Windows install disc then you should have drivers for the core stuff (northbridge, southbridge, USB controller, etc.) - so you really only need the graphics card driver, maybe sound card (if not integrated). These should be available from the manufacturer - Nvidia and ATI have downloads available on their websites.

Wireless network drivers may also be an issue if you've got wireless. The first thing to do is get a basic Windows install up and running, with a network connection! If you can't do that, then a Linux Live CD will almost certainly get you a functional PC with internet connection so you can pick up the files and stick them on a CD or USB flashdrive.

[mrmr96]

Phone the manufacturer?

[Vespula]

For starters, look in Device Manager for the make and model of your wireless/ethernet adaptor and your graphics card, then Google for the drivers.

[tomsit]

This is a useful windows app that looks at the device ID compares it with the included pcidevs.txt file and then tells you exactly what the hardware is - it is only ever as good as the version of the pcidevs.txt file but as long as your hardware isn’t too new it should be ok. Once you have the specific hardware info you will have a lot better chance of finding the needed drivers.

http://www.halfdone.com/Development/UnknownDevices...

Hope that helps, let us know how you get on.

[twister]

The Windows Update site usually has functional drivers (i.e. probably not the latest and greatest, and missing all the extra control panels/tools you'd get in the full driver package) for things like graphics cards, network interfaces etc. Installing those should at least get your system to a workable state, as well as letting you know what those bits of hardware are so you've got a better idea of what to search for if you do want to get the full packages from the manufacturer sites.

[sunbeam_alpine]

What I do when confronted with this is open the case, look for any serial numbers on the motherboard, and enter them in google.

[The_Jackal]

What things are you looking for drivers for?
Like what was said above, Windows will find drivers for most of what is in there.

[TonyToniTone]

If none of the other methods work you could try:

Run devmgmt.msc

Right click on unknown device,
Select properties,
Click details tab,
Select hardware ids
Right click on Value and select copy.

Paste value into google.

[lestag]

J381 said:

I reformatted an E-Systems PC because I never had system recovery disks for it, and now I don't have any drivers installed.

I have had a look online but I can't seem to find any sites that I can download new drivers from.

So, I am now asking the collective minds of PH if they can aid me in resolving this problem?

Thanks in advance for any replies.

What model PC?

perhaps here? http://support.thetechguys.com/layout.aspx?ID={861...

Edited by lestag on Monday 11th January 11:20

[mcflurry]

If you get either wifi or the network card drivers and then load Windows Vista or 7 it will find all the other stuff for you as part of the install.

As Cyberface said above, an Umbungo cd should get you online to get the network drivers first if you don't have another pc

[J381]

Cheers for all the replies. It's greatly appreciated.

Today is really the first chance I've had since creating this thread to actually try and resolve my problem.

I used the windows application, unknown devices, that 'tomsit' recommended, and to be honest, I haven't got a clue what I am looking for.

Here is a couple screen shots of the application on said computer.

Audio:


Ethernet controller:


PCI standard ISA bridge:


Video VGA controller:


So, what now?

Please excuse my poor knowledge of computers...

Cheers again.

[The_Jackal]

First thing to get sorted is your network connection.
It looks like it is a Belkin one. I assume this is your onboard LAN connection? or do you have something plugged in.
The other things just look like the drivers for your motherboard, which should be too hard to find if you look up the make and model written on the motherboard.
Once you get it connect to the net, Windows Update should fix alot of those things.

[J381]

The_Jackal said:

First thing to get sorted is your network connection.
It looks like it is a Belkin one. I assume this is your onboard LAN connection? or do you have something plugged in.
The other things just look like the drivers for your motherboard, which should be too hard to find if you look up the make and model written on the motherboard.
Once you get it connect to the net, Windows Update should fix alot of those things.

The Belkin is plugged in to the back of it.

I will check out the motherboard and update this after I do.

[Who me ?]

Looking for comparable PSU for daughter ,found this site -
http://www.user-guides.co.uk/

Seems to have drivers/user guides etc