After Clean Reinstall Can't Get WiFi

BJ,

When you reinstalled the operating system, did you install the Dell System Software(if applicable) and the chipset drivers first? If not, the rest of the drivers will fail to install. How to Download and Install Drivers in the Correct Order

Start with the Dell System Software and the chipset drivers and follow the list.

Rick

This is my first time doing a clean reinstall. I installed the dr iver to connect to the Internet via ethernet cable first. I then installed Windows updates and dell updates and drivers. I didn't install specific drivers in any particular order, unless the system did it for me. All seems to be fine with the laptop except that I can't seem to get what I need to make a WiFi connection.

So, since I didn't realize that drivers needed to be installed in a specific order intentionally and they are already installed, do I need to uninstall them and then reinstall them in the order of the document you refer to or can I just go down the list and reinstall them over what I have already done or...? If I do need to uninstall first, is there an efficient way to find them and uninstall them? I am not sure I would easily be able to identify them unless they are somehow clearly labeled or packaged.

Thanks.

BJ

BJ,

Install the Dell System Software(if applicable) and the chipset drivers, then follow the list. The Dell System Software(if applicable) and the chipset drivers know what is attached to your system. No uninstall is needed, just install the drivers in the proper order.

Rick

I attempted to install the Intel Rapid Start Technology Utility (under System Utilities - Driver) first (at this point) and it failed to install giving me an error message "the computer does not meet the minimum requirements for installing the software", yet it says this driver supports Inspiron 5xxx using Windows 7, which seems to be correct for this computer. Can you shed some light on this? Thanks. BJ

BJ,

Can you run Finding System Information REMOVE YOUR PRODUCT ID and REGISTERED OWNER and post the information back here.

Rick

BJ,

Restart the computer and press F12 at startup. Run the full diagnostics and report back any error messages

Rick

Hello Rick,

Thanks for all of your responses. Prior to contacting you, I had been working for weeks with the Windows forum folks. They directed me to you when I got to the point of specifics about Dell software reinstallations. However, the laptop is not stable with the software installations. It is now stuck back in the Launch Repair loop that caused me trouble previously. I have been advised to purchase a new hard drive, which we suspected was the problem from the beginning as the laptop was engaged in a dog incident and took a spill.

So, we are preparing to purchase a new hard drive and then I will reinstall Windows 7 and, this time, follow the sequence from the Dell website you referred me to for following the correct sequence of reinstalling drivers. If I run into problems when I get to the step of installing Dell software, I will come back to this Dell forum for help.

Thank you so much for the help you provided. Have a great new year!

BJ

Rick,

One addition to my message above. I just checked the box for Thorough Test Mode. The results were:

All tests passed.

I look forward to your advice before we purchase a new hard drive.

BJ

Rick,

Thanks for telling me about the Diagnostics. I wasn't aware of it. If I had, it could have saved me about a month of troubleshooting in the Windows Forum. I thought that since the warranty for the laptop had expired in 8/2013, we could not get technical assistance. So, thanks.

Here are the results of the diagnostics:

Error Code 2000-0142

Validation 111991

Msg: Hard Drive 0 – S/N S2WKTSYZ Short self test unsuccessful.

Technical Support will need this information to diagnose the problem.

BJ,

The solution is you need a new hard drive. If under warranty, Contact Dell Technical Support

Rick

BJ,

Maybe this page will help

http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/category.aspx?category_id=7748&c=us&l=en&s=dhs&cs=19&mfgpid=226051&Tab=Parts&stype=2

Do you have or made recovery disks?

Rick

This Dell Inspiron 5520 is no longer under warranty and needs a new internal hard drive. I have been trying to find the specs for this laptop on the Dell website and am not having any luck. I am trying to determine if the hard drive is a 2.5" or a 3.5". I am not finding that information anywhere. On the Dell site, there are replacement parts, but they include both physical size drives. We have taken the hard drive out of the laptop and it looks as if only the same size will fit as a replacement. How can I find out what the physical size is for this drive?  Thanks. BJ

Rick,

Thanks for your response. I had already seen that page specific to his laptop. However, it appears that two of the hard drives may be 3.5" and one specifically says 2.5". My guess from all that I have read on the Internet so far is that it is likely a 2.5", but it fits in its space very snugly in the laptop. So, if I should get a 3.5" and the current HD is a 2.5", I don't think it will work. I don't see any wiggle room. So, I want to be sure.

So, back to my original question. Where can I see detailed specs for his particular laptop or how can I determine if the current hard drive is 2.5" or 3.5"?

Thanks.

BJ

BJ,

I looked at Parts-People.com and it looks like it's 2.5"

To be sure, you can remove the old hard drive, since you need to replace it and the information is on a sticker on the hard drive. Here is a Video on how to remove/replace the hard drive.

Here are instructions on how to install the operating system.

How To Restore or Reinstall Microsoft® Windows® on a Dell™ Computer

If you don't have the recovery disks, if you live in the United States, Request Backup Disks USA if in another Country, contact Dell Tech Support in your Country.

Rick

Hi Rick,

Last night, we figured out that the ST number on the hard drive helped us in getting more information on the Internet. So, yes, it is a 2.5" HD. We have experience removing and replacing HDs since we have done it at least a few times during our troubleshooting process. Thanks.

I did a clean reinstall on the laptop in question, but I think the specifics you provide for a Dell computer may be helpful in streamlining the process, particularly with the drivers since I had trouble getting WiFi reconnected.

I checked the Request Backup Disks USA, but they say his laptop is out of warranty and so they do not provide any further assistance.

The folks in the Windows Forum helped me through the clean reinstall previously. I expect I will be okay, although without the disks it will be much more time-consuming. It seems that I am stuck with not getting much assistance with disks from Dell now that the warranty has expired. I sure wish they had included disks with the laptop or had told us that we could only get the disks while it was under warranty. Oh well. Live and learn.

Thanks for your help.

BJ