Possible to Install Specific Drivers on an XP Pro Installation for Another Person's Desktop?

Porphyrion · Dec 23, 2013

Greetings, Tom's Hardware community.

First off, apologies if this topic doesn't appear to match the right forum but I figure that it relates more to O/S than anything.

I need to perform a full format and reinstall of Windows XP Pro for my brother's computer. Now the problem is that he is a long distance away and simply cannot take the time off to drive there and do it nor does it seem cost efficient for him to ship the whole PC. I happen to have an old IDE hard drive laying around that I can give him.

Now the question, is it possible to run some kind of sandbox to allow me to install all of his Dell drivers for Windows XP to get it up and running? My PC is a high-end custom built one so obviously if I attempt to install the Dell drivers its going to be incompatible with my hardware.

It's probably a stupid question, but I was just trying to see if there was a way to avert having to ship the whole desktop to here and back.

Phillip Corcoran · Dec 23, 2013

You can only install drivers on the computer they relate to, but you can download them on any computer, save the downloads to an optical disc, pen drive or whatever, then post same to your brother.

When copying the drivers to a storage device to send to your brother, put each driver in a separate and suitably named folder so he knows what specific device that driver package is for.

Porphyrion · Dec 28, 2013

Phillip Corcoran :

I see, so there is currently no known method of installing drivers on a hard drive without being connected to those components. That's what I was afraid of. I guess I'm going to have to tell him to wait a few months so I can do it in person then. This guy screws up installing Chrome, probably have a similar result installing device drivers. Heh

ex_bubblehead · Dec 28, 2013

Phillip is correct in that you cannot install the drivers on foreign hardware. You can however do what you propose by using Sysprep. Once the installation has been "closed" you can ship the drive to your brother where he just installs the drive and boots it. At that point Windows will be set up, PnP will install the included drivers (assuming you got the right ones), and all will be well. It is a steep learning curve. Here's a couple of links to get you started:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/302577
http://www.answersthatwork.com/Download_Area/ATW_Library/WinXP_Professional/WinXP__3-Setup-How_to_SYSPREP_a_Windows_XP_PC_setup.pdf

Phillip Corcoran · Dec 29, 2013

Sysprep - judging by his posts I don't think he'll go for that. Lord knows why you can't just download and save the drivers like I suggested. Your brother can't install drivers? - - well that would be a good opportunity for him to learn how to do it -- then he'll probably kick himself when he realizes how easy it is.

I'd be ashamed if I had to ask someone to install a driver for me. I taught myself how to do it by just diving in and doing it.

ex_bubblehead · Dec 29, 2013

I'd be ashamed if I had to ask someone to install a driver for me. I taught myself how to do it by just diving in and doing it.

Unfortunately too many people today simply refuse to learn their tools and expect someone else to to everything for them.

Ijack · Dec 29, 2013

Easy solution - he pays a local guy to do it for him.

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Possible to Install Specific Drivers on an XP Pro Installation for Another Person's Desktop?

Porphyrion

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ex_bubblehead

Phillip Corcoran

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Porphyrion

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ex_bubblehead

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Phillip Corcoran

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ex_bubblehead

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Ijack

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