Old Inspiron 1550 in need of serious help

Edit: Probably doesn't matter much but I made a typo in this threads title I have an e1505 not a 1550 Inspiron.
In attempts to do a simply fix on my old laptop I may have killed it as far as for being useful.
Ok from the beginning.
Original two problems:
- stubborn malware that wouldn't go away
- my license for MS Office expired(it was an academic license copy of MS Office)

I tried the basic steps to remove the malware ie; dump the cache, run anti spyware and malware software, system restore, and even reinstall FireFox.
This had no effect on the malware.
As for MS Office, I tried to uninstall it but uninstall wizard would lock up and then just disappear(I couldn't even find it in the processes list in the TM)

Next failed attempt:
I try to do a restore to factory condition system recovery.
Halfway into doing the recovery, I get a pop up message saying that some file is missing and that the recovery is being aborted.
I try the recovery a second time. Same message appears.
I exit the sys recovery and restart.
I get an error on the screen the kind that only exist in your worst nightmares.
"Drive error, no disk detected" or something along those lines.

It's at this point that I get frustrated and proceed to drastic measures.

I find the copy of XP that Dell sent me when I purchased the laptop.
I make an attempt to reinstall/repaire install Win XP
Next I read on the screen that the C: partition has an unknow format so I select the format as NTFS and install windows option.

After XP is installed I try to get on the internet so that I can DL some of the basic programs that I didn't bother to back up on the D: drive.

Big uh oh occurs. I can't get the wifi to turn on and no wired connection detected.
Also, none of the fn keyboard commands seem to be working.

It is at this point that I also notice that the resolution is not what it should be. I go to the display properties to try and adjust them. Second uh oh occurs. the ATI tabs are not there and the resolution that my laptop usually runs at is not in the list of options.

So after that lenghty explaination of my problem here's my question:
Is there a way that I can obtain whatever drivers, ect. that are missing and install them on my laptop even though I have no internet connection on it and no CD with the drivers on it?

In case this has any relavance here's my system info:
Dell Inspiron 1550
Intel Core Duo 2.0GHz
2GB (2x1GB) DDR2 at 677MHz
ATI RADEON Mobility x1400 256MB
80 GB HDD 7200RPM
Win XPpro SP3

On a side note my warranty just expired, how ironic.

Thanks in advance, I look forward to reading your replies.

Fry

 

Would it be possible to download the drivers to a flashdrive and then install them from there?

 

Yep, that's pretty much all you have to do at this point. Just make sure you get XP drivers; I think the E1505 page defaults to Vista drivers.

 

thanks, Im trying that now.
having a few roadblocks though. school network blocks dells site.

 

ok, almost 100% now. just have to figure out how to make the fn keys to work again.
If anybody has any tips on how to do this I'd appreciate it.

 

Tried the Dell Quickset? Are all of the fn keys not working, or are just some of them not working?

 

I thought I DLed the quicksets, but maybe I accidentally skipped over them. I'll try them again.
I only have function of the wifi(f2), and screen brightness controls(up/down arrows). nothing else is working as of now.
I'm going to try and DL the quickset drivers and report back after.

 

OK, all the fn buttons are working now.
Now the only thing do to is find out what's making my system run oddly slow, especially upon startup.

 

OK, new Issue. I cracked my screen after falling with it in my backpack.
If anyone can help me with this please go here.
Admins feel free to close this thread.