Windows XP says I'm connected by ethernet but I can't access the internet

Jacob H

Honorable
Jan 28, 2014
15
0
10,510
Recently I pulled a dell dimension 5150 out of my basement, dusted it off and got it running again with Windows XP service pack 2 (I only had the installation disk for that one). With one exception. I'm using an Ethernet cable going directly to my router and it says that I'm connected to 1394 at 400.0 Mbps (which I found to be rather surprising) but I cant activate my windows (I wiped the hard drive and re-installed) or access internet explorer so that I can get chrome. If you need any other information please let me know. I am currently posting this from my current computer which has wireless and is working fine.
 
Solution
Windows XP generally does not have plug and play network drivers. Since this is a fresh install, and not using the disks Dell provided with drivers you will need to head over to www.dell.com with a computer that has internet, search for the model of the PC and download the appropriate network drivers. Put them on a USB flash drive/Burn to CD and install them on the dell.

Once that is done you should be all set after a reboot

vnet

Honorable
Jul 24, 2013
47
0
10,560
Windows XP generally does not have plug and play network drivers. Since this is a fresh install, and not using the disks Dell provided with drivers you will need to head over to www.dell.com with a computer that has internet, search for the model of the PC and download the appropriate network drivers. Put them on a USB flash drive/Burn to CD and install them on the dell.

Once that is done you should be all set after a reboot
 
Solution

Jacob H

Honorable
Jan 28, 2014
15
0
10,510

I went to dell and got to the page "drivers and downloads" but i didnt see anything related to network drivers. I might go poke around dell for a bit and see if I can find anything