All Dell computers have a Service Tag number. Use that and go to [URL] to download the drives for XP. Read and follow [URL]#Issue5
to begin id like to apologize for my lack of knowledge of the machine im working on. its a dimension 2400 desktop and thats the extent of my knowledge. so anyways. (omitted tale of woe causing me to come to this point) so here i am fresh install of xp. and no drivers for my devices i.e. ethernet ctrlr , pci modem, vga card and such. pretty much whatever drivers arent included with the os( hope someone knows more than i do).  ive come to a point where i need to get to the internet in order to really get this beast running again. so if anyone knows what i would have to do to find out what the devices are even called so i can google em at least that would be great.   if more info is needed tell me how to get it for you and i will.(cant post logs as the computer doesnt connect to the net) again apologies for the lack of info
hdd wiped. need to figure out how to know which drivers to install