Older Dell Dimension and Windows Me

[FZWG]

Working on a Dell Dimension XPS R450. Owner wants to install Windows Me (full version) after format (W98 first edition currently installed).

Can't find any W-Me drivers for the video, audio, modem, or TV tuner card on the PC.

Is the installation of W-Me on this PC basically an exercise in futility, or does someone know where the Me drivers for the cards can be found? (They are not at Dell!)

Thanks for the help.

[newme]

do you know the specs of the machine, is it onboard video ?video card? if so what is it,try to find out what you can ,be easier to find drivers

[plumerjr]

How far along in the installation process are you? If I'm not mistaken Windows would try and find the best "driver" upon first boot up. If Windows Me can't locate one then it would have to be installed either from manufacture's software or downloaded from there website. I've done an ME installation but it's an upgrade not full version so I could be wrong.

I did a quick search on the web and came up with this. It may be of interest to you.

http://www.drivershq.com/

[GaryRouth]

For the cards/chips that were original on the Dimension, or purchased from Dell, they theoretically should be available from this webpage http://support.dell.com/filelib/criteria.aspx

Some of the drivers might be right there on the WinMe installation disk, since that's not exactly a cutting-edge system, even in it's day [looks like a BX mobo] (strange, though, that it's a Celeron in there instead of a P-II, since that's what the specs for that model show)

Why does the owner want WinMe? If it's running fine with Win98, I'd recommend he stick with it: it's a good match for those specs. One problem when upgrading from Win98 to WinMe is usually the sound card. WinMe tends to handle things differently & if the older Win98 drivers are used an unacceptable loss of sound quality results. Many WinMe sound drivers were of the WDM type (Windows Driver Model).

Of course, the customer is always right! (so you may end up with your magnifying glass and flashlight identifying cards and chips & searching the Internet for drivers)
. . . Gary

[p.s. sorry about that Dell link - it looks like you'll have to 'sign in' first to get anywhere on their site: on the lower right hand box, enter the model & off you go --- sounds like you may have already been there]

[HAL9000]

When a WinME driver isn't available, use a 98 driver, it will work fine.

[mikeL]

My Dimension XP 450R came with a

STB Velocity 4400 (Nvidia Riva TNT) 16mb AGP card.

Aureal Montego sound card.

[FZWG]

Thanks for the replies.

The owners of the PC (Dell Dimension XPS R450 w/384MB RAM) want to install Me. Recommended not upgrading from W98FE to WMe, as per suggestions and comments. However, if Me is installed, it will be a full clean install.

Right now what we are looking at is finding an Me driver for the following:

STB nVidia TNT 16MB 3D AGP video card
TBS Montego II A3D PCI Sound Card
US Robotics 56K Voice Modem

The Dell site has no WMe support for this PC.

Also concerned about whether a BIOS update is needed, although the 17GB Maxtor HDD will remain. Would there be any other reasons to consider a BIOS update, other than HDD limitations?

The board on this PC is an Intel SE440BX AA696089-407 with a 100MHz bus clock. The BIOS: 4S4EB0X1.10A.0019.P09 is dated 08/14/98

Appreciate any suggestions or comments

[plumerjr]

STB nVidia TNT 16MB 3D AGP video card- http://www.nvidia.com/view.asp?IO=win9x_44.03

TBS Montego II A3D PCI Sound Card- http://www.turtlebeach.com/site/support/ftp.asp

US Robotics 56K Voice Modem-

[plumerjr]

http://www.usr.com/support/s-main-menu.asp

Ooops hit enter before finishing. Good luck, I hope some of these help.

[electrotech]

.

[FZWG]

plumerjr,

Thanks for the links!!

To be safe, rather than sorry, intend to take out the original hard drive, install WMe on a separate, same size and brand (Maxtor) spare hard drive, and then test the goodie before doing a format of the original drive.

This might be some extra work, but, what the heck, retirement allows for the spare time.

If things bomb out, can always go back to the original hard drive, and whistle 'Dixie'.

[plumerjr]

Your welcome. I hope everything works out for you.

[GaryRouth]

plumerjr - nice job finding the drivers.

FZWG - I like your plan with the two drives. One idea - when trying the WinMe install, try it first without the modem or sound card in the box. Should be a piece of cake without them in. Then add them in and see if mayhem ensues. With the WinMe version drivers from plumerjr's links, though: might be a smooth as the local lake on a windless day. . .
. . . Gary

[FZWG]

"...might be a smooth as the local lake on a windless day..."

Yeah!!!