Solved Assistance with Driver installation for Dell Vostro 3550

[squidgy]

I have a Dell Vostro 3550 64 bit that had been wiped clean. BIOS version A06 I seem to be having problems installing the correct drivers and or in the correct order. I am using Win7 Pro. I went to Dell's support sight and search for drivers by the service tag. Ive done this many times before with different computers but for some reason this one is messing with me.

I always start with the chipset drivers, in this case the Intel HN67 Express Chipset family Driver Version 9.2.0.1019,A00 R292253.exe but that didnt work.

I wanted Internet connectivity because I could get more drivers automatically through Dell or WUD. First I tried Dell Wireless 1701 802.11 bgn, Bluetooth v3.0+HS Driver R312280 but had no luck. Then I tried Intel Centrino Wireless-N 10001030, Advanced-N 6230 Driver R312222 but was still unsuccessful. I could not find any additional wifi drivers that sounded right. I could not get any USB drives to be seen by the computer so I was burning these executables to CD and transferring them that way. Instead of dropping the laptop out the 6th story window followed by myself, I was hoping someone familiar with the 3550 could list the basic drivers in the correct order, enough for to get me started. Chipset, USB and WIFI would be enough so that I might muddle through the rest myself. I cant even tell what video adapter was shipped with it from the System Configuration sheet. Dell has many extraneous drivers that are not really necessary, I just want basic everyday functionality from it.

Thank you

 

[maxie]

Hi ... Not sure where you got that BIOS Version from .... Nothing will work proper until you get the Chipset Driver Installed ...

Try the Link below ...


Product Support | Dell US

 

[squidgy]

yes, thats where I have been spending all my time looking for the right chipset driver and the rest

 

[Anshad Edavana]

Hi

Can you please upload a "System Information Report" with next reply ?. To do that ;

1. Open RUN dialogue ( Win Key + R )

2. Type "msinfo32.exe" and press "Enter".

3. When the tool opens, choose "File -->Save" and give a name of your choice.

4. Compress/Zip the file (right click --> Send to --> Compressed folder ) and attach the zipped file with next reply.


The system information report will contain all the necessary info about the components in your system such as HWIDs which are necessary to find the right drivers ( no personal information will be included ).

 

[squidgy]

On that page there are only 4 drivers under chipset drivers:

1. Wistron USB 3.0 Host Controller Driver
2. Intel HM67 Express Chipset Family Driver "This package provides the Intel HM67 Express Chipset Family Driver and is supported on Inspiron N5110 and Vostro Notebook 3350/3550 that are running the following Windows Operating Systems: XP, Vista (32-bit) and Windows 7 (32/64-bit)." "Supported Operating Systems - MS Windows 7 64-bit" "Compatible Systems - Vostro 3550 (Early 2011)" Sure sounds like the right one. Maybe it was the way I installed it - I extracted the files and ran setup.

3. Intel Management Engine Interface Driver
4. Realtek RTS5138 Card Reader Driver


Number 2 is the one I tried first but I saw no changes to the computer. The others dont sound like they apply. That leaves very little to choose from. Im leaning towards #1 but #2 sounds like the correct one. Can you offer your best suggestion on what would be my next best move? Can it be uninstalled or should I reformat and start again to try another one?

 

[squidgy]

Hi

Can you please upload a "System Information Report" with next reply ?. To do that ;

1. Open RUN dialogue ( Win Key + R )

2. Type "msinfo32.exe" and press "Enter".

3. When the tool opens, choose "File -->Save" and give a name of your choice.

4. Compress/Zip the file (right click --> Send to --> Compressed folder ) and attach the zipped file with next reply.


The system information report will contain all the necessary info about the components in your system such as HWIDs which are necessary to find the right drivers ( no personal information will be included ).

I cant get the nfo file off the vostro because I have no network connections and no USB drive capability

 

[Anshad Edavana]

Hi

In that case, please post the "Hardware ID" of your wireless adapter. To do that ;

1. Open "Device Manager" and right click on the "Network Controller" and choose "Properties".

2. Go to the "Details" tab and select "Hardware ID" from the drop down menu.

3. Write down and post the ID ( starting with "PCI\VEN ) with next reply (only the first line is needed ).


Also do the same with "Ethernet controller".

 

[squidgy]

Hi

In that case, please post the "Hardware ID" of your wireless adapter. To do that ;

1. Open "Device Manager" and right click on the "Network Controller" and choose "Properties".

2. Go to the "Details" tab and select "Hardware ID" from the drop down menu.

3. Write down and post the ID ( starting with "PCI\VEN ) with next reply (only the first line is needed ).


Also do the same with "Ethernet controller".

Network Controller
PCI\VEN8086&DEV_008A&SUBSYS_5325806&REV_34
PCI\VEN8086&DEV_008A&SUBSYS_5325806
PCI\VEN8086&DEV_008A&CC_028000
PCI\VEN8086&DEV_008A&CC_0280

Ethernet Controller
PCI\VEN_10EC&DEV_8168&REV_06
PCI\VEN_10EC&DEV_8168
PCI\VEN_10EC&CC_020000
PCI\VEN_10EC&CC_0200
PCI\VEN_10EC
PCI\CC_020000
PCI\CC_0200

 

[Anshad Edavana]

Hi

According to the HWID you posted, the wireless adapter is an Intel Centrino Wireless-N 1000/1030. Here is the Dell official download link :

( R311898.exe )

Intel Centrino Wireless-N 1000/1030, Advanced-N 6230 Driver Driver Details | Dell US

Here is a direct download link from Intel which should support this adapter :

https://downloadcenter.intel.com/do...-Wireless-Software-and-Drivers-for-Windows-7-

( Wireless_16.7.0_Ds64.exe )

 

[Anshad Edavana]

Hi

Have you succeeded in installing the Wireless driver ?.

 

[squidgy]

Yes I did! Thank you very much. Good thing you included the Intel link the Dell link was for 32 bit. I seem to have evry driver though, the Device Manager shows only one problem, there is one unknown device that is eluding me. I attached the nfo file for the computer if that might help flush it out.

I am making the assumption that though I did not see a chipset driver install that it must be installed or it wouldn't have gotten this far.

 

[littlecheese04]

Did the computer come on Windows 7? Are the drivers meant for an operating system such as Windows XP? You can try to run the driver installs through compatibility mode - Personally installing drivers that way (on Dells) has worked for me.

 

[Anshad Edavana]

Hi

The only device which seems to be missing a driver is Dell "Free Fall Sensor" according to the system information report. Dell claims the sensor is to stop the hard drive in case the laptop falls and hence protecting the data ( technically they can also deny warranty claims if the censor seems to be tripped ).

Here is the driver download link : ST Microelectronics Free Fall Sensor Driver Driver Details | Dell US

 

[squidgy]

That did it. No unknown devices. Too bad getting Dell webcams to work is such a death march. Im gonna quit while Im ahead. Thanks all for the help!

EDIT: The 3550 will take up to 8GB memory. Am I wasting money by trying to save money by buying a 4GB DIMM ($40) so I will have 5GB RAM total installed memory and making a christmas tree ornament out of the 1GB DIMM I remove to free up a slot or must they be matched pairs?

 

[leemur7]

Missing Drivers for Windows 7 x64 clean install

Hi all,
This thread appeared right on with my predicament so I'm restarting it. After reinstalling Windows 7 Pro x64 on a wiped hard drive, I'm missing at least 4 drivers (maybe 6).

The troubleshooting report flags these missing drivers:
-Ethernet Controller
-Network Controller
-PCI Simple Communications Controller
-SM Bus Controller
2-"Unknown device" drivers

My System Information file is attached.

The link to Dell's driver download site for my Service Tag is below. I cannot figure out what drivers I need from all the listed possibilities.

Product Support | Dell US

Any help would be marvelous . . .

 

[littlecheese04]

Possible answer

I did a Google search for Vostro 3550 and found the same stupid Dell support page but all of the drivers showed up. network video audio etc etc. I selected a 32bit OS on the link you supplied, closed the tab, googled the model, and clicked on the dell link that Google gave me. I don't know if all of those steps are necessary but cookies might have some sort of play in it - honestly I have no idea but try it.

 

[derekimo]

Hi all,
This thread appeared right on with my predicament so I'm restarting it. After reinstalling Windows 7 Pro x64 on a wiped hard drive, I'm missing at least 4 drivers (maybe 6).

The troubleshooting report flags these missing drivers:
-Ethernet Controller
-Network Controller
-PCI Simple Communications Controller
-SM Bus Controller
2-"Unknown device" drivers

My System Information file is attached.

The link to Dell's driver download site for my Service Tag is below. I cannot figure out what drivers I need from all the listed possibilities.

Product Support | Dell US

Any help would be marvelous . . .

Welcome to the forum,

Here you go, do the top two first, chipset, management engine,

Intel HM67 Express Chipset Family Driver Driver Details | Dell US

Intel Management Engine Interface Driver Driver Details | Dell US

Your two network drivers,

Intel Centrino Wireless-N 1030/Advanced-N 6230 Bluetooth Adapter Driver Driver Details | Dell US

Realtek RTL8111E-VB Gigabit and RTL8105E-VB 10/100 Ethernet Controller Driver Driver Details | Dell US

The unknowns were the fingerprint reader and the freefall sensor,

ST Microelectronics Free Fall Sensor Driver Driver Details | Dell US

Validity VFS5011 Fingerprint Reader Driver Driver Details | Dell US

Posting your system info file was a big help.

 

[leemur7]

Success with Vostro drivers!

This solution to my driver issues was spot on. My Vostro 3550 is working fine. Thank you.

 

[derekimo]

This solution to my driver issues was spot on. My Vostro 3550 is working fine. Thank you.

Awesome! Glad you got it sorted, you're welcome.

 

[martinvdm]

Hi all,

This thread appeared right on with my predicament so I'm restarting it. After reinstalling Windows 7 Ultimate x64 on a wiped hard drive, I'm missing at least 5 drivers (maybe 7).

The troubleshooting report flags these missing drivers:
-DW5550
-Ethernet Controller
-Network Controller
-PCI Simple Communications Controller
-SM Bus Controller
2-"Unknown device" drivers

My System Information file is below:

DW5550:
USB\VID_413C&PID_818D&REV_0000
USB\VID_413C&PID_818D

Network:
PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_008A&SUBSYS_53258086&REV_34
PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_008A&SUBSYS_53258086
PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_008A&CC_028000
PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_008A&CC_0280

Ethernet:
PCI\VEN_10EC&DEV_8168&SUBSYS_04B31028&REV_06
PCI\VEN_10EC&DEV_8168&SUBSYS_04B31028
PCI\VEN_10EC&DEV_8168&CC_020000
PCI\VEN_10EC&DEV_8168&CC_0200

PCI:
PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_1C3A&SUBSYS_04B31028&REV_04
PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_1C3A&SUBSYS_04B31028
PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_1C3A&CC_078000
PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_1C3A&CC_0780

SM Bus Controller:
PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_1C22&SUBSYS_04B31028&REV_05
PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_1C22&SUBSYS_04B31028
PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_1C22&CC_0C0500
PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_1C22&CC_0C050

I read other posts and suggestions in this forum however I could not find the same Drivers on my non-US Dell Vostro 3550.

Any assitance will be much appreciated.

Thanks

Martin