Alienware DHS 2 - Needs an OS

[tomhanser]

I've been handed a nice Alienware DHS 2 from a few years ago - nice condition but it didn't have a HD until I just installed a new Seagate 250 Gb SATA.

Specs for this box are here:

http://reviews.cnet.com/desktops/ali....html?tag=rnav

My question is, I have to install an OS for this machine and I'm considering Windows 7. I want to run Media Center, obviously, to record and playback TV. I'd like to play back many video files I have collected, also, so this box serves as a "video server" as well.

What, if any, problems will I run into installing Windows 7 (not the upgrade) on this machine?

The graphics card is an ATI Radeon X1050 PCIE 256 Mb - if there isn't a driver for Windows 7 will a Vista driver work?

Any comments or suggestions before I purchase a copy of Windows 7 for this box?

Thanks.

 

[mpilchfamily]

Get Win7 and you'll be fine.

 

[tomhanser]

Just installed Windows 7 OEM 32 bit and ran all updates. I installed the ATI video drivers available from their site and that's working fine.

I still, however, have a list of devices in Device Manager for which no driver is installed - many of these are integrated audio devices or "multimedia" devices.

I still have no audio and Windows 7 can't find a driver for any of these devices.

Also, the front panel on the Alienware box indicates "Starting UP" all the time - I must be missing something.

Even if I remove the cover and poke around inside it may not be obvious what these exact devices are. I can see the ATI graphics card, of course, but not much else.

Any suggestions? How am I going to find the drivers for so many devices in this box?

This is a pretty cool machine with a lot of features - I'd like to resurrect it back to perfect working condition.

Thanks.

 

[Slugbait]

You forgot to install the chipset drivers. That should be done before anything else is installed.

 

[AtomicDumpling]

You forgot to install the chipset drivers. That should be done before anything else is installed.

And those drivers can be found on the disk that came with the motherboard. Or you can go to the motherboard manufacturer's website to download them.

 

[tomhanser]

Thank you both for your input.

In the past I've only installed an OS to a clean, flattened drive. I've never installed chipset drivers before so this is new to me.

I don't have a disk provided by the motherboard's manufacturer and I'm not sure at this point who's board it is. Looks like I have to pop the top again and see if I can identify it.

Alienware has a driver download page but unless I identify the motherboard I'm stuck.

So my next dumb question is...can I install chipset drivers AFTER I've installed Windows 7? Or do I have to start over?

Thanks!

 

[Absolution75]

just download cpu-z and click on the chipset tab, paste it here

 

[Slugbait]

So my next dumb question is...can I install chipset drivers AFTER I've installed Windows 7?

That's exactly what you're supposed to do. You can't install drivers without an operating system already installed.

 

[tomhanser]

Thanks, as always.

Mobo is is Intel D915POM, Chipset: i915P/i915G

File downloaded from Intel is infinst911_autol.zip.

Windows 7 says: "This computer does not meet the minimum requirements for installing the software. Setup will exit."

Wrong download?

I also ran a scan of my system using the Intel website tool and it indicated the audio device was not supported by Intel. Is this a Realtek device? Maybe I need to look for a driver on THEIR site? I'll have to identify the audio device precisely to know which driver to download.

There are still many devices shown in Device Manager with no driver installed. Font panel on this box still show "Starting Up."

Thanks again - I'll keep at it but I'd really like to see this box working perfectly. Windows 7 runs quite well - I just need the devices to be working.

 

[Slugbait]

Normally, I'd say to try the Vista drivers, they should work. But Vista drivers were never released for that board. Latest chipset driver release was Aug 2007, but not for Vista.

Your board reached EOL a long time ago. Unless you revert to XP, those devices will always remain as not installed.

 

[dmw16]

If you only want to use the system as a media center, then Windows XP Media Center might be your best bet. You should be able to find the correct drivers without too much trouble - maybe even direct from Alienware.

 

[tomhanser]

I think you're both right - I may have to punt and drop back to XP to get drivers for everything.

I emailed drivers@alienware.com today - let's see if I get a response.

Thanks again.