3 replies to this topic

[cheryl1103]

Hi had to reinstall Xp after trying windows 10 and my laptop crashed so it's installed and now can no longer use my network adapted as the hardware is apparently no longer there and has yellow marks against the whole lot!! What can I do? Xx

[paws]

Hi cheryl1103 and welcome to our forums

 

If you reinstalled Windows XP then did you remember to visit the laptop manufacturers website and download the chipset drivers and or the network adaptor drivers?

 

If you didn't download and then install them then that's a possible reason for the yellow warning markers in device manager.

 

As support for Windows XP from Microsoft stopped for most folks more than 2 years ago it is very difficult to use a Windows XP computer safely nowadays, unless it is completely isolated from other computers and the Internet, and other data sources, without taking extraordinary precautions.

 

As security updates are no longer being issued by Microsoft for Windows XP the operating system is vulnerable to infection and exploits unless the computer is totally isolated.

Regards

paws

[cheryl1103]

I can't download them, it's my only PC and it wo t recognise my phone to transfer the drivers from there...thanks for ur help tho x

[paws]

Hi cheryl1103,

 

Your computer will not be able to access the Internet unless you have the network adaptor drivers installed.....(maybe this is a blessing, in view of the security risks involved...)

 

If you really want to install the network adaptor drivers, then you could use the manufacturer's driver installation disc (if available) or you will need to download them (network adaptor drivers) using a working Internet connected computer, and use a memory stick or other device CD/DVD etc., to copy it/them across to your Win XP computer.

 

If you don't have access to another computer then maybe you could ask a chum to do this for you and put them on a memory stick for you......?. BUT if you do this make sure that the contents of the memory stick are virus free(check with at least 2 different  virus scanners) before allowing the memory stick anywhere near your Win XP machine.

 

As an alternative you could ask a chum to download a live distro of Linux ( Linux Puppy is good) burn the .iso of Linux to a CD, and boot your XP machine from it bypassing Windows completely... ( Puppy will be quite happy running in RAM, and should automatically install the correct Ethernet driver for you)... don't try using a wireless connection as this could give Puppy indigestion!

 

If your computer won't boot into Puppy, then you may need to enter your BIOS and set the CD/DVD drive as boot priority one with hard drive0 as priority 2, save the changes and exit with puppy in the tray it should boot up straight away and allow you to follow Puppy "on screen" instructions.

 

Once you have the correct diver located you can download it and save it to your documents or Windows XP desktop or wherever you are certain to be able to find it again.

 

Using a live distro of Linux like Linux Puppy is a reasonable way of accessing the Internet, as Puppy will save nothing to your hard drive (unless you ask it to) and as soon as you remove the Puppy CD from the tray and then reboot, Puppy will be gone and you will be back to Win XP again.

 

Post back if you need links to more information on any of this.

Regards

paws