Windows 8.1 - three problems that I cannot fix myself :(

[Yockie]

Hi,

 

Sorry to bother you but I have three problems (that may be interconnected) that I have been trying to sort out for two days and since I have not been able to do so I thought it is time to get on here and ask for help:

1. My video controller is impossible to update and I don't know what to do with it.

2. My wireless connections keeps coming on and off and it is driving me INSANE!!! Every 30 seconds I am in and then out. I cannot chat with people, I cannot watch BBC iplayer, etc.

3. On the odd (i.e. literally 3 occasions) that I have been able to video Skype people I cannot see them (even though they can see me, they can hear me and I can hear them). Oddly, I can use Google Hangouts just fine (audio and video) and I have watched a couple of YouTube videos OK too.

I have just upgraded to Windows 8.1 from Windows XP. I have a Dell Latitude D610. I am attaching a screen shot of the internet driver and my problematic video controller. Any help will be appreciated (even if it is to tell me the video controller is unfixable and so is the internet - at least I will stop wasting my time trying to get them working!!!).

[ATTACH=CONFIG]1205.vB5-legacyid=2201[/ATTACH]

[ATTACH=CONFIG]1204.vB5-legacyid=2200[/ATTACH]

Edited April 22, 2014 by Yockie

[KenB]

Hi yockie

 

Windows is not the best method of updating drivers.

 

Take a look here: - click here

 

Use the auto- updater to check.

 

I think the problem lies with going from XP to Win8.1

The drivers may not be available for some hardware.

 

have you tried connecting to the router directly with a cable ?

 

There is another option:

You could try a USB WiFi Adapter ...they are relatively cheap.

You may need to ensure that the device comes with a driver CD.

[RandyL]

It looks like Ken is right again. All the drivers from Dell are for Windows 2000 and XP.

 

Drivers & Downloads for Dell Latitude D610

[Yockie]

Thank you both KenB and RandyL.

I tried to run the Intel Support and it has been "running" for over 12 hours now, saying the same thing "Analyzing compute" (screen capture attached [ATTACH=CONFIG]1207.vB5-legacyid=2203[/ATTACH]). So I dont think it will work...

 

In terms of Drivers & Downloads for Dell Latitude D610 I had already gone there, before asking on here, and I downloaded everything, but it would not run everything, but tell me it cannot be configured.

It also pops up random messages, like the one attached...[ATTACH=CONFIG]1206.vB5-legacyid=2202[/ATTACH]

 

As for the cable - its even odder, because the laptop has internet, but only if I plug the cable in the second LAN port. Not in any of the other three on the router.So now I have internet by being cabled, still no video on SkyPe and no video controller installed...

[RandyL]

The network and video/graphics drivers on the Dell site will only work on Windows 2000 and XP. Since you have Windows 8 installed now those drivers will not work. As far as I can tell there are no available drivers for Windows 8 and your laptop.

 

It might be possible to use an external NIC but less of a chance of using an external graphics card. The cost might be high also.

 

You could roll back to XP but take into account that there will be no more security updates from Microsoft as XP is no longer supported.

 

Considering the above it might be time to buy a new laptop versus throwing money at an old laptop.

[Yockie]

Hi RandyL,

 

Thank you for your reply. I was with Microsoft Windows XP and updated to Windows 8.1 precisely because I kept getting a message about "This will no longer be supported" and I wanted to have a working anti-virus and OS, considering my previous PC issues (which I've shared on here :-) ).

 

If you are saying that it is a time for a new laptop then I think it definitely is :D

 

I'll use this one until I decide what to go for - any suggestions are welcome for my new purchase (should I even be going for a laptop or a tablet maybe...?)

 

Thanks again for your efforts :cool:

[KenB]

I wanted to have a working anti-virus and OS

The fact that Microsoft have withdrawn support for XP does not mean that an XP system is useless.

 

The providers of free Anti-virus have extended their support for at least 2 years. [ with the exception of Security Essentials ]

OK - you will not get critical updates from MS and your system will be increasingly more vulnerable - but if you are careful which sites you visit, keep your AV up-to-date and Have Malwarebytes on your system plus a firewall .........you should be OK ...at least for a couple of years.

 

If this is your main computer then you may want to consider an upgrade.

It really depends on what you can afford. :)

[RandyL]

I wish operating systems would be supported by Microsoft longer and that hardware manufacturers would continue to update drivers but I guess there is no financial incentive to do so.

 

I gave up Windows ME years ago but not by choice. My motherboard failed just weeks before Microsoft ended support for Windows ME. It was actually a good thing even though I moved to Vista which most people hated. Compared to ME Vista was great. Due to a thunderstorm I bought a new computer with Windows 7 which is even better.

 

I could have replaced parts both times but considering the costs it was better to put the money toward a much better computer for only a little more money.

 

That being said most antiviruses companies will continue to support XP for a while but you will lose one level of security without Windows Updates.

 

As for what to purchase it really depends on your needs and your budget. I will say this though, Windows 8 will probably come with your system and it is a lot different then anything you are probably used to using. What's a person to do? :)

 

It might be wise to see what others have to say here. We have a lot of great members.

 

Edit:

Sorry Ken. I see we cross posted.

[Yockie]

Thank you both for your help.

 

I dont think I want to go back to Windows XP. Having worked on Windows 8.1 for the past few days has actually shown me that I want to move on with the times. So what I will do now is try and look for a suitable brand new laptop to purchase and start from scratch.

 

[wellies]

Windows 8.1 Update 1 has reduced system requirements on a 64-bit computer to 16 gigabytes of disk space and 1 gigabyte of RAM (with Windows 8, it was 2 gigabytes of RAM and 20 gigabytes of disk space). Even so, it looks like your computer isn't up to running Windows 8+. This is what I found on it:

 

Dell Latitude D610 Notebook Computer (Pentium M 740 1.73GHz/40GB/512MB)

Part Number: D610SAPP Released: 1 Feb 2005

 

Then there's the drivers for the hardware. Windows 8 is pretty good at providing drivers for most hardware but it looks like your Dell is quite dated now (in computer terms anyway) and I think the Windows 8 problems are due to this. Windows 8 takes some getting used to even on a computer that is up to spec., let alone trying it with one that isn't. :)

 

All in all, it looks like a new computer will be needed to keep up with Microsoft's latest and future software.