I still remember, not long ago, when I needed to hunt down Windows 7 drivers for older machines. Now that almost all new Windows machines come with Windows 7, a lot of companies have stopped supporting Windows XP on new machines. We had just received some Dell Vostro 260 desktops, and the user had requested Windows XP on these computers. If you visit Dell’s support web site, however, there are no drivers for Windows XP.
I spent some time to find all the drivers for Windows XP. Here are the links:
Network
Realtek PCIe GBE Network Adapter
Audio
Conexant Audio (CX20641/CX20651)
Chipset
Intel 6 Series H61 Chipset
Intel® ME: Management Engine Driver for Intel 6 Series Chipset-Based Desktop Boards
Video Card
Intel HD Graphics
These drivers are the latest ones as of 10/20/2011. There could be newer versions out by the time you read this. You might have to look for the updated version if these drivers do not work for you.
[Update 2/23/2012]
One reader has reported the link for video card driver is broken. That’s because there is an updated version. Just visit this link and select Windows XP to get the driver.
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Hey,
Thanks a lot for this post, it’s been very helpful. 🙂
I noticed that the link for the ME driver is broken… here’s a fixed one:
http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Detail_Desc.aspx?agr=Y&DwnldID=20078&lang=eng&OSVersion=Windows%20XP%20Professional*&DownloadType=Drivers%20
Cheers.
YUv
Thanks for letting me know. The link is fixed.
The sound driver is for 7 & Vista only, you can check it under Compatibility.
Even though Dell package it as such, it is a generic driver for all *current* versions of Windows and, as such, includes XP x86 & x64 drivers. No manufacturers are stupid enough to remove support for XP whilst Microsoft haven’t EOL’d it, even though OEMs cannot sell it anymore.
The only thing to remember is if Dell need to service the machines (either RtB or on-site), the engineers won’t touch it unless it’s running Windows 7.
One solution is to clone a factory -fresh version of the computer using something like CloneZilla so that if it develops a hardware issue, you can restore it and keep Dell happy.
You beauty! Just what I was searching for!
Dell really should understand that people will be putting XP images on for a good few years yet and should support them.
Audio drivers not working on XP – hardware not found.
I’m looking for working drivers – any advice?
Thanx in advance.
Finally i’ve got that, but that’s like changing oil in engine thru exhaust..
But working.
Hey Dez,
How did you get the audio working after all. I have tried using (CX20641/CX20651) A02 8.50.4.0 and A02 1.0.19.0
Neither have worked.
Download Dell Vostro 260 Desktop Driver
http://supportdell.net/dell-desktop/vostro-260-desktop-driver/
good luck
video card driver link have been broken from here…………….
can any body help me………….
thanks in advance
Wow thanks so much we received 2 of these and also needed to install XP. Thanks fo rthe leg work.
Tks again for the great post.
Thanks for the post. All others work well, But can someone tell me how to install network drivers? They are just a bunch of DLL files, no setup file. Thanks a lot.
A little late on the reply but for someone else reading this post here is the answer.
Just go to start and right click on my computer and select manage. Then go to device manager and in there you will see the lan or ethernet driver with a question mark on it. Right click on that and hit update driver then make sure you point it to where ever you downloaded the network driver in the first place. Once you point it to that folder it will extract what it needs to update the driver.
Just figire it out, use device manager. It works, thanks.
Now, I have one more, Dell wireless 1502 wlan mini-card, is not working. Can anyone help? Thanks.
Amazing thank you so much!!!!!!!!!!!
This is an awesome resource, thanks!
Tried the Ethernet drivers, but they seem to be crashing my machine. I only have the onboard Ethernet port. Any other suggestions for where to find Ethernet drivers that won’t crash my system? I’ve managed to get everything else working…at least, I hope so. Let’s see if it crashes some more today! Whee!
This is exactly what I was looking for to make a new XP Pro image for our Win7 Pro Vostro 260’s, this needs to be #1 on the Google results list.
Huge thanks!
I’m having a hard time getting XP to recognize the integrated ethernet port. I’ve downloaded and installed the driver from the Realtek website as provided by the link above but after the installation I get an error(yellow exclamation mark) listed next to it in Device Manager. And when I go into Network Connections, there is nothing listed in there either. If anyone has had any previous experience with this or if someone can please offer some guidance I would greatly appreciate it. TIA!
I apologize but I had not read PeterPan’s comment. Through Device Manager I too got it working, thanks much!!!
Hello and thank you so much! The links works perfectly and the drivers too. perfect!
Hi, thx alot. save a lot of my headaches. damned DELL.
Thank you very much. I installed the video driver and It’s working .Thanks again and keep up the good work.
Thanks alot. I’ve down your attach link. It’s good for vostro 260 AUDIO use.
Thanks for this collection of drivers. Long live Windows XP.
Hi, the link to the Conexant Audio drivers is broken. Do you have any other link for them, or could you please post them for download? Thank you!
Gracias.!
Thanks for this!
Awesome. Thanks man just saved me a bunch of time.
Thanks a lot for this post, it’s been very helpful!!
Thanks very much. I am still downloading the Audio and Video and hope they will work.
Obrigado, estava precisando muito!!!