DRIVER ASSISTANCE

[ZylaWonder]

It seems that every machine that I have touched in the past couple of weeks requires disk formatting and reinstallation of the OS (always W98se). It also seems that not one single owner has the original drivers for their machines. I know those drivers are currently working in the machine and also hiding deep within the OS. Is there anyway to copy the drivers from the current system to reinstall after reformat and W98 reinstall. I am currently cracking the case and obtaining as much info as possible about the paticular piece (NIC,Sound or Video Card) then searching for hours to obtain drivers and hope they will work. There has got to be an easier way!!! Those that can help will have a special spot in "Driver Heaven"!! Thanks in advance. X-)

 

[Mulga]

Go to device manager (in the control panel system applet)and select the device you are interested in. Select properties. Most devices will have a driver section within the properties window and within that will have a driver file details section. This will list the driver files and their locations. If you copy those and reinstall them on the new installation then remove and replace the hardware in question and let windows detect it and reinstall it, then it MAY work. I know this works on some internal modems but I have not tried it on anything else.

 

[ZylaWonder]

Mulga:
Thanks for your response. I a familiar with the technique of locating driver details. I was to scared to try this, but at this point knowing that others have forged before me will make this more comforting. Actually, what do I have to loose but some drivers? I wish Bill Gates would have to do this driver thing and he would make us a quick little driver wizard!! Thanks again. You have earned your star.

 

[TopHat2]

I’ve had this problem my self as best as I can remember I copied the hidden C:\WINDOWS\INF and C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM directories (folders) into the root directory then in DOS I deleted everything but these two directories from the HDD, used the DOS “MD” command to recreate the C:\windows directory, and copied the INI and SYSTEM directories back into it, then reinstalled Windows. It seems that all the drivers and information needed to re-install them are contained in these two directories, when the install wizard a wants to install a driver I just point it to the C:\windows\inf folder and it installs. Of course you might copy a lot of redundant stuff this way, but it beets searching for drivers on the net. If you want a completely clean install with a format, and if you have a suitable backup device such as a CD writer you could copy the INF and SYSTEM folders to that then restore the contents of these folders after you re-install Windows (you might be able to instal the drivers by pointing the install wizard to the backup device, but I haven't tried this). Of course this is not as clean as Mulga's method but it’s easier, and it worked for me.

 

[ZylaWonder]

TopHat2:
Thanks for the info! I am going to try this tomorrow! I really like the idea of pointing the wizard to the backup device and loading only the drivers you need. I will let you know if this works. Maybe we can manage to help others that have spent collectively years searching for drivers! A star for you as well! *:->*

 

[spacekowboy]

let us know,thats a great idea, hope it works.

btw, also copy the disk of 98 to the harddrive. then u wont need the cd to find fresh copies or even install it.

good luck!

:-Q x->

 

[TopHat2]

ZylaWonder, are you still alive? Are you still sane? Did it work???

 

[ZylaWonder]

Alive yes. Sane No! Well here is how it went. I copied all System and System32 and INF files to a CD. The machine I was working on had a burner. Taking all of the above into consideration. Those drivers that did not re-install automatically from windows I was able to reinstall from the CD. YEAH YEAH!! When I checked the device manager they were: 1) A vortex(?) sound card 2) ? Video card and 3) a DAVICOM NIC card. I do not know where some of these guys get these components. Anyway, first I did what MULGA suggested, in that I wrote down each file and the location BEFORE I formatted the machine. Then I burned my CD. The reason I also copied System32 was one the drivers had a file there. Then I reformatted the machine. I checked Device Manager and had the above 3 that did not install. I was able to install the Audio and Video by just pointing the wizard to the CD. But the NIC card I actually had to copy the files back into place. I am pretty pleased because I feel I have a nice clean re-install. I do not know if this will work each time, but it beats searching the net. I have 10 P2 machines to be done in the next 2 weeks and am anxious to see if this will work. I will keep you posted. My apologies for delay in the answer. It's about 10p now and I just got in from a long day. Sometimes my schedule gets wild. If I am able to make this procedure work it will really give me back some badly needed time. I am very appreciative to all those who have helped me. Hope I may return the favor some day. MANY STARS IN DRIVER HEAVEN FOR ALL!!!

 

[TopHat2]

Thanks for the feedback ZylaWonder. Any updates appriceated.

 

[jjjjjjjjjj]

i had to format my c: but to reinstall windows it says it needs a msdos boot partition, i setup a partition using fdisk and restarted the computer, but when it boots up using the boot disk i loose c:. its there but it says it is an invalid media type.
how do i setup a partition so this does not happen
please help