Driver problems XP Pro

A friend formatted and re-installed XP Pro on his IBM P40 laptop. He then visited the manufacturers site and downloaded and installed the required drivers for the video card, wifi etc., using a different laptop. Apparently the site requires make and model no's then it ensures you get the correct drivers.

Yet nothing works. The video is still at the windows default setting which no options to change the resolution. Wifi still isn't working, and a visit to device manager shows quite a number of problems. He has downloaded one of the update scanners onto a pendrive via another machine and tried to install it on the IBM. The IBM apparently refuses to install it, giving a message about a faulty Microsoft Installer. Yet it installs correctly on the other laptop, ruling out a corrupt download file.

Suggestions greatfully received.

Has he put the latest Service pack on? and down all the updates?
The installer may be expecting a newer version of Windows Installer - that should be updated with the updates

Apparently can't connect to the web. The LAN card needs a driver which was downloaded installed but won't work

The Installer update - Installer update

Service Pack 3 download - SP 3 download

he'll need to check the installation requirements

Thanks that means we can download onto pen drive and install on the XP machine?

assuming pen drive is big enough - yes (you need to check what SP3 needs installed first - and make sure that is installed, think needs SP1)

I'd suggest checking upgrading to SP3 first and see if that cures issues of installers

Thanks very much. We'll see what happens.

In reply to a post by wingco1:

A friend formatted and re-installed XP Pro on his IBM P40 laptop. He then visited the manufacturers site and downloaded and installed the required drivers for the video card, wifi etc., using a different laptop. Apparently the site requires make and model no's then it ensures you get the correct drivers.

Yet nothing works. The video is still at the windows default setting which no options to change the resolution. Wifi still isn't working, and a visit to device manager shows quite a number of problems. He has downloaded one of the update scanners onto a pendrive via another machine and tried to install it on the IBM. The IBM apparently refuses to install it, giving a message about a faulty Microsoft Installer. Yet it installs correctly on the other laptop, ruling out a corrupt download file.

Suggestions greatfully received.

For an xp reinstall.

1. backup data.
2. Grab drivers as your friend has done.
3. grab the latest service pack.
4. wipe hdd
5.install windows.
6. update windows with latest service pack (if xp is less than sp2 - do not conenct to web)
7 update drivers.
8 install programs
9 move back data

Latest update. The links supplied by Ken were downloaded and installed correctly. We now have a XP SP3 laptop that boots to desktop, but doesn't seem to install the new drivers. He has looked on an IBM forum and it appears others were having similar trouble. However he tried all the suggested fixes but without success.

Totally baffled and open to suggestions.

silly question - they haven't manage disable unsigned drivers (system properties - hardware tab)?

Is there anything being written to the event log (in run box type eventvwr ) - probably system or application section

If someone has a USB Lan/Wifi dongle - then might be worth plugging that in and seeing if that will allow it to connect to internet