I am trying to install a wireless network on a Dell laptop that has Windows XP Pro. I found some drivers and downloaded them to install on the computer, but every time the setup completes itself, I get the message "Driver Is Not Installed," and I cannot seem to get the Device Manager to pick it up.

What do I need to do?

The computer is an Inspiron 8100 version 2002 Service Pak 3

You will need a separate wireless adapter as this model may not have inbuilt wireless.

Wifi is a combination of hardware and software. You should be able to go to Dell's site using the Asset tag on the laptop and get a listing of the hardware. If no WiFi adapter was installed then you will need to get an external adapter (usually plugs into a USB port or card slot).

If an adapter was built in, then you need the drivers for that specific adpater, which you can find on Dell's site.

I believe the software you installed is the software the was bundled with the Wifi usb dongle?
XP Sometime doesn't detect the device when it is inserted and you install the software.

Unplug the wifi addapter and uninstall the software.
Restart.
Install software again.
After installation, plug in the wifi device.

Still nothing?

Go to Device Manager. Find the device (Should have a yellow question mark next to it)
Right click on the device and click Update Driver.
Then click "Browse my computer for this driver"
Locate the Software Cd or Folder and click next.



Hope this helps
Grant - South Africa