Question : Problems with new installation of XP on an older PC.

I have a Dell Desktop approx 8 years old.

It has been slow and cranky for a while.  

I installed Windows XP SP2 from scratch.
I formatted the C drive and got what seems to be a good installation.
The response speed is back to where it should be.
But it can't find the internet.  

I have a ZyXel USB wireless adapter.  It worked yesterday, before the rebuild.
I reinstalled the ZyXel software, but it doesn't seem to run.
The window where you look at available networks and enter the WEB key doesn't appear.
The software does seem to be in the Task Manager list.

This is an old symptom.: Clicking on an program icon with nothing happening.

Could this be a memory or BIOS issue?   Any diagnostics you could recommend?

Is it an SP2 issue?  I am going to try to get SP3 on a USB stick and give it another go.

Answer : Problems with new installation of XP on an older PC.

Like Cynep says, download thhe latest drivers. You can also check in the device manager in the Control Panel > system icon to make sure you do not have any devices in the device manager with an exclamation point.

Downloading the right drivers from Dell should be easy since all you need to do is input your Dell serial number on their website under their support link.