Re: Reinstalling XP; system can't find sound card
Thought I'd report back. 
Gertrude, here's the reasons I needed to re-install XP (and as you so correctly point out, fun had nothing to do with it) - We have 3 different iPods in the house
- To use an iPod, you need a programme called iTunes
- iTunes only works if you have service pack 2
- Service pack 2 only loads if you have a registered version of XP
Despite the many health-enhancing tips posted in this august forum & slavishly implemented by yours truly, the home PC started showing signs of imminent demise last year. Rather than risking a wipe-out, PC was sent to a reputable outfit for saving of data and re-installment of OS. PC was accompanied by its little folder of of official Dell re-install disc.
The thing was done, and many Norwegian kroners changed hands. 
Upon its return to the happy home, PC worked flawlessly. But iTunes acted funny and finally gave up the ghost.
Took me a fairly long time to figure what had happened but I finally cottoned on to the fact that the repair people, instead of putting in our original XP and upgrading that with the approved downloads and service packs, had installed a version of their own.
Which wasn't registered to us and consequently didn't accept any offical service downloads.
I could not go back to the fixit folks and kick up a stink, since the company are good customers of Mr40. 
Having read this forum for years and thus knowing that there are in existence normal people who reformat their PCs themselves, I decided to take the plunge. 
Spent most of friday behind the keyboard of the PC, with the iBook next to it to look up various websites and solutions every time I got stuck.
Eventually downloaded all the drivers (thank you gentlemen!! 
)
Installed same.
Downlaoded all Microsoft packs & fixes
Re-installed the wireless and got it up and running.
Got my Norton pin-code and downloaded and installed same.
The whole thing works!
Another irational fear slayed; I should have started doing this myself years ago. Best bit of all was the undisguised awe in the eyes and voices of 17 year old son & mates when they came home from school and found a working PC.
My street cred has rocketed.
Last edited by flapsforty; 8th January 2006 at 21:01.