Software issues after Windows reinstall

OK, this topic is not about reformatting, reinstalling, Media Center not working. I have some small software issues and I can’t find any info about them. First thing I started my notebook was check out the crappy software DELL installed> McAfee, Ghost. BUT there were two cool applications I liked and I can't download from DELL site (I can't find them):

1. An Auto Driver Updater or something like this. Basically it checked for new drivers and software on Dell.com. I didn’t pay much attention knowing I would reinstall Windows and I thought “I will download it from DELL site anyway”. But it is not for download anywhere, at least I can’t find it.
2. A visual application that showed me the way my network is configured (ex: modem, router, network card). I can’t find this app on DELL site either.

Does anybody know how I can get these apps?

One other thing after Windows reinstall > the volume keys do not always work. When I push the volume up button, Dell’s volume control appears on my screen, but the slider or the volume doesn’t go up, it stays the same. This doesn’t always happen, sometimes everything is OK, I can’t figure out where is the problem. Audio drivers are installed; I tried with Sigmatel only and with Audigy software. How can I fix this? It is really annoying to open up volume control via touchpad, the volume buttons are much more useful (when they work)...

 

I don’t know about the visual network configurator or the auto driver updater you are talking about, cos the first thing I did as soon as I got my notebook was reinstalling Windows (didnt even use the pre-installed version for more than 10 ~15 minutes, too many bloatware). I think you are better off without those.

Try installing Dell quickset to fix the volume controller problem if you haven’t done it already. I actually don’t see the point of running a driver updater for Dell drivers since they don’t update frequently. I try to stick to OEM drivers as much as possible (VGA , chipset, network etc..). They are better and updated more frequently.

 

The second one might of been the application that goes with the Broadcom Network adapters.

 

could it be dis?

www.dell.com/networkassistant

 

Is what I always do is placed the service tag # in the oeminfo files. this way you can just go to the dell web page and it will locate the drivers for you. Of course I always make sure that I have the network drivers before formtting. GL

 

I'm wondering too - where do I find it, cause I'm upgrading my HDD this week.

 

1.) most likely if it is a true dell application it is Dell support. You can download this from dell on the driver page (under applications). It pops up with a box saying this needs to be updated or Dell has change this or that, etc.

For the volume problem, boot XP into safe mode. Uninstall your sound drivers and then reinstall them. You only need the sigmatel drivers since this is the actual driver for your hardware. I would download the latest driver and install it from Dell because it sounds like your current one might be corrupted. On some laptops, you do need to have Dell quickset installed and running in order for the volume to change.

 

Bingo, that's the one.

Dell Quick set is installed and running, but I haven't uninstalled the audio drivers in safe mode, just in normal mode. but safe mode might be the answer. I'll try that and report back.