formatting my laptop - help needed please

[KenB]

Bluesplayer is probably best equipped to answer this one.

 

You have picked an OS that is not supported by Microsoft anymore and you may well have a few problems getting hold of the drivers you are looking for.

 

Whilst you wait for Bluesplayer .............Which motherboard do you have?

[gem-stone24]

Hi KenB

 

I'm not really sure what motherboard I have. How can I find this out?

[KenB]

Either let us know the make and exact model number of your computer or take a look at the motherboard itself and on it there will be ( in larger letters ) something like

P8Z68-V This is just an example - yours will be different.

 

Speccy may tell us too

http://www.piriform.com/speccy

 

EDIT:

Just tried Speccy - this gives us all the information we need.

[gem-stone24]

Hi KenB

 

I have just tried speccy but because the toshiba isn't on the internet i tried saving it to a usb stick only to remember that the usb driver is missing. When it come to looking at the toshiba i probably wouldn't do that, out of fear of damaging something inside the laptop. I can definately give the make and model number of the laptop: Toshiba Satalite Pro A40, Model No. PSA45E-001VM-EN and also the seriel number if thats any help: 14046446H.

[KenB]

because the toshiba isn't on the internet

Stupid of me to suggest it !!

 

Take a look here:

http://uk.computers.toshiba-europe.com/innovation/download_drivers_bios.jsp?service=UK

Look under "Archived Files" and put in the relevant details

You want chipset drivers.

 

It doesn't have 98 as an option - but 2000 should be fine ( I hope :) )

 

You can use the same method to get the other drivers you need.

 

You may have a problem with compatability with some drivers.

[gem-stone24]

Hi KenB

 

Just wanted to let you know that I have just installed the windows 2000 chipset utility onto the toshiba which has worked a treat as both of the PCI System Peripherals that where missing no longer have the yellow question mark and exclamation mark by them. Thank you so much for all your help, I'm going to try the other drivers now, I'll let you know how it goes.

 

Rebecca

[gem-stone24]

Hi again

 

I've got the usb driver all sorted but i'm not sure wich drivers will go with: PCI Card, PCI Multimedia Audio Device and PCI Ethernet Controller. Can you please tell me wich one to go for?

 

Rebecca

[KenB]

Hi,

 

PCI is a slot on the motherboard.

The PCI Multimedia Audio Device sounds like a sound card that is plugged into the motherboard.

Looks a bit like this: If you have one we need the make and model number.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]1523[/ATTACH]

 

The PCI Ethernet Controller could be the "Network Utility" that is an option from the link I gave you.

[gem-stone24]

Hi KenB

 

Thanks very much, I'll try get the network utility installed. Would speccy work on the win 98 operating system to give info on the PCI Multimedia Audio Device?

[KenB]

I read somewhere that it is compatible with Win 98.

It is worth a try.

[gem-stone24]

Hi KenB

Just installed the "Network Utility" on the toshiba, the installation went through fine but at the end when i try to run it a box comes up saying that it failed to initialize. I also tried to install speccy but a box came up saying it needed windows xp or later. Is there anything else I can try in order to find out the information for the PCI Multimedia Audio Device?

 

Just found some info regarding the sound card, would it work if i got a external sound card to use on the laptop or would this interfer with the sound card inside the laptop even though i haven't got the drives for it?

Edited May 17, 2012 by gem-stone24

[KenB]

sound card to use on the laptop

I have my wires crossed here ...........I assumed it was a desktop ( hence the pic of the sound card above ) .............sorry.

 

Try the LAN driver for your ethernet connection.

 

I must state again - these drivers are for Win 2K and above so you are taking a chance with Win 98

 

Re external sound card:

These are generally Plug-and-Play which means that they don't come with a driver CD

I have seen them for a few pounds so if you cannot get the on-board sound working it may be an option - worth a try.

[gem-stone24]

Thanks KenB, will try and get the Lan driver sorted. Are there a drivers on the toshiba website for the PCI Card and the PCI Multimedia Audio Device or would I have to try something else?

[gem-stone24]

Hi again KenB

 

I will quickly ask, is it the Lan Driver or the Wireless Lan Driver that the toshiba will need?

[KenB]

Hi, I have been away for a few day and have not been able to get internet access readily.

 

I am unsure if your system has an internal wireless adapter ( I doubt it ) so you will need the LAN driver although installing both would do no harm.

 

The LAN driver - if successful - will allow you to connect to the router with a cable.

 

Did you have a wireless connection previously ?

[gem-stone24]

Hi KenB

 

I tried the LAN driver but i got a message saying that the driver was for windows 2000 or later. I did manage to connect to the internet using a wireless internet card, but i moved onto an ethernet cable instead. I bought and installed a usb sound card which i will try it to see if it works. Are there any drivers i could try for the PCI Card and the PCI Multimedia Audio Device (is this the sound one) for the toshiba?

[KenB]

PCI Multimedia Audio Device

Yes - this is the sound card.

 

It is being identified as a PCI card - in other words an addition to the motherboard.

If you can find out ( take the side panel off ) what it is I may be able to locate older drivers for it.

 

Your problem, as stated before, is that you have moved backwards with your OS so drivers are not readily available.

[gem-stone24]

Hi KenB

 

Just wanted to let you know that i install the sound driver on the toshiba and thankfully the sound has installed and the Unkown PCI Multimedia Audio Device has disappeared leaving only the Ethernet Controller and the PCI Card. Is there anything similar to speccy that i could download onto the toshiba to find out (if there is any) information about the PCI Card?

[gem-stone24]

Hi Again

 

Because I have downgraded the laptop to play the old games I used to play, would I be able to install the games now or would it be better to wait until all the drivers are installed?

[KenB]

Anything similar to Speccy

Try this:

http://everest-home-edition.software.informer.com/

 

You could install the games now if you wish :)

[gem-stone24]

Hi KenB

 

Just had a look at the link you gave but the Everest program is unavailable for downloading due to being discontinued. I saw on another thread and someone said ada32, would this be okay?

Thank you for all of your help :)

[KenB]

Sorry about the Everest link.

 

I have just tried the AIDA64 ( trial for 30 days )

It does a similar job to Everest.

 

Just be aware - Make sure you uncheck the AVG Toolbar option ( you don't want that ! )

Read the boxes as they appear.

All you want is the software - nothing else.

 

AIDA32 would do just as well.

[gem-stone24]

Hi KenB

 

Sorry to be a pain again I've now tried and found some other cd's (i.e. infopedia, encarta) and it looks as though they will run be have now found out that have to run in 256 colour and when i went into the display settings i only have a 2 colour and 16. Is there a driver i could purchase or download which will sort this out as it looks as though I may be gatting somewhere. When infopedia was installed and running I could see that the colour was really bad.

[KenB]

i only have a 2 colour and 16.

You said this earlier ....

I have just installed the windows 2000 chipset utility

This should have installed the video drivers needed to give you more options.

2 and 16 is the default - ie. no drivers installed.

 

Do you have a video card or is it on-board ( i.e. a chip on the motherboard ) ?

 

If you run AIDA it will tell you.

[gem-stone24]

Hi KenB

 

I've got aida 64 installed and i've had a look. Would the video card be the VGA Graphics Controller? if it is the card is: INTEL 82852GM/GME/GMV/82855GM(E) GMCH - Integrated Graphics Controller [A-2] and aida lists two of these. Is this any help?