Installed Win7 Pro 32-bit on my Dell Dimension 8300

So yeah. I thought it'd be a good idea to upgrade my desktop from XP to Win7. I installed Professional 32-bit on it since I got a free copy from MSDN because of my college. The install went smoothly and everything was fine. The only problem I had was that it had no sound and the sound drivers wouldn't install because they were for only Windows XP. However, I was perfectly fine with that since I don't really need sound for it. I'm using it more for hosting vent/teamspeak 2 servers for friends.

The problem I had this morning when I turned it back on was that it wasn't recognizing the ethernet connection anymore. And I don't know why. Win7 installed Intel PRO/100 VE by default for my network adapter and it's still there but it's not recognizing any internet connection. I read somewhere that your computer won't recognize a lot of your hardware if the chipset driver isn't installed. I didn't know what chipset I had so I tried using Intel's Chipset Identification utility thing which I transferred over from my laptop by means of an external but it said that it couldn't even recognize what chipset was on my Dell 8300. I tried installing the only chipset driver for the 8300 from dell's site but it's not supported by any OS after XP. So I'm at a loss on what to do. I've read stories from other people online about having success upgrading their old 2003/2004 Dell 8300 to Windows 7.

Any help? =[
I just want to get my desktop back on the internet. I don't really care about the sound not working.

hyunho said:

So yeah. I thought it'd be a good idea to upgrade my desktop from XP to Win7. I installed Professional 32-bit on it since I got a free copy from MSDN because of my college. The install went smoothly and everything was fine. The only problem I had was that it had no sound and the sound drivers wouldn't install because they were for only Windows XP. However, I was perfectly fine with that since I don't really need sound for it. I'm using it more for hosting vent/teamspeak 2 servers for friends.

The problem I had this morning when I turned it back on was that it wasn't recognizing the ethernet connection anymore. And I don't know why. Win7 installed Intel PRO/100 VE by default for my network adapter and it's still there but it's not recognizing any internet connection. I read somewhere that your computer won't recognize a lot of your hardware if the chipset driver isn't installed. I didn't know what chipset I had so I tried using Intel's Chipset Identification utility thing which I transferred over from my laptop by means of an external but it said that it couldn't even recognize what chipset was on my Dell 8300. I tried installing the only chipset driver for the 8300 from dell's site but it's not supported by any OS after XP. So I'm at a loss on what to do. I've read stories from other people online about having success upgrading their old 2003/2004 Dell 8300 to Windows 7.

Any help? =[
I just want to get my desktop back on the internet. I don't really care about the sound not working.

Hi! Try this driver: INF Update Utility - Primarily for Intel® 3, 900 Series Chipsets

If that doesn't work try these: http://icrontic.com/uploads/2009/02/...01013-whql.zip

Oh and by the way, your soundcard is an onboard AC'97, the drivers for which are here: http://icrontic.com/uploads/2009/02/...01013-whql.zip

Thanks,
ZeshanA
If I helped, click the scales above my post and click I Approve

I'm not sure if it worked since my Dell 8300 is still not recognizing the ethernet connection. And the link for the sound driver you gave me is the same as the link for the alternate chipset driver link, which did the same thing as the first chipset driver link.

anybody?

anybody know anything?

I just purchased windows 7 premium 32 bit exc. I am running on dell dimension 8300 with a NVIDIA GForce FX5200 graphics card and it took me about 10 hours to get my sound working and Warcraft 3 to recognize my DirectX 11... So I will post the whole story since all day I spent looking through forums, I got a bunch of advice that did NOTHING for me.
FIRST: GO TO START>ALL PROGRAMS>WINDOWS UPDATE and make sure everything is up to date, I did all 3 of these steps and everything started working so I will list everything I did.

SO to make warcraft 3 work I made sure my DirectX was updated to 11, which is compatible w 7, then I made sure my Graphics card was up to date. (see if it is up to date by clicking start>run>type: dxdiag.) That will bring up what Graphics card you are running and the version, download whatever necessary update there is from the net.
Come to find out my NVIDIA GForce FX5200 had no driver update for that specific video card that worked on 7... Researched everywhere and no one had the answer.. SO, for shits and giggles I tried the Vista version update of that video card, and IT WORKED. THANK GOD.


My sound ended up working without me having to buy a new sound card like everyone said I would... I just did the windows update as I first states. Updated my DirectX and Video Card (Vista Version since they didn't have one for 7) and my sound worked and Warcraft 3 finally recognized my DirectX 11... PAIN IN THE ASS. I hope i can save someone for the hours of torture I endured.

My problem was there was no driver for the video card I used and no driver for my sound card and I just kepy getting constant errors.

Vista drivers will almost all work in Win7, as will many XP drivers in Compatibility Mode. Older programs and games, Vista drivers may work better in Compat Mode, as well. Compatibility Mode

Check optional Windows Updates regularly for newer driver updates. Google the ethernet adapter model + Win7 to find a newer driver to install from Device manager or by running its installer.

Type "prob" in Start Search box to look at Problem Solutions already cued. Then google repeat errors in Event Viewer>Admin View to see how others have resolved them. Click through your WEI score link at Computer>Properties to Advanced Tools to look for cued issues, google repeat errors in Performance Log, and Generate a System Health Report.

Follow Rich's suggestion to start with System Tray Connection rightclick>troubleshooter. The troubleshooter in Win7 actually fixes things.