internet connections

[doorknob]

My son decided his DELL lap top was not running properly anymore and decided to delete everything and re-install windows XP which appears to have worked successfully. We are using a wireless connection to four computers in the house but his does not connect anymore, either through the wireless card or when connected direct to the modem. Is this a problem we can resolve or has he deleted something which will require professional assistance?

[vehelpfulguy]

Often Laptops need special drivers to enable some components to work. Maybe this is the case with your wifi.

Windows does contain some "basic" drivers for graphics, sound etc but cannot hope to contain all the drivers needed for every possible piece of hardware.

Often drivers are shipped on CD with a laptop, or if not you may need to download them from the support page of the company who made the laptop (Dell in your case)

[ACtheTROLL]

For whatever reason ... Dell lappys often need specific drivers for their lappy network cards (wire and wireless)

look in device manager .... if you see red circles or yellow triangles you got problems.

You don't say which model so
follow the instructions here to identify your machine ...... download and install ALL the drivers for your machine.
(just 'cause it's working doesn't mean it's working as well as it should be - the "real" drivers are always better than the windows versions)

http://search.euro.dell.com/results.aspx?c=uk& l=en&s=gen&cat=sup&qmp=12&p=1&subcat=dyd&rf=al l&nk=t&sort=K&snpsd=A&ira=False&~srd=False&ips ys=False&advsrch=False&~ck=anav

[plowter]

Once your son has installed all the correct driver he still has to tell the laptop how to connect to the internet. Dig out the ISP CD and reinstall your ISP software. That'll tell the laptop how to connect to your wireless router and should resolve your problem.

[doorknob]

many thanks all of you, with a combination of answers he's back on line. Cheers.