Hi!

I had the exact same problem after updating BIOS. All I did was create a new bootdisk and it worked fine...

Thanks Shotten!

Did replacing the Boot Disk really overcome all these problem? Or do I need to replace the BIOS somehow? (w/ previous version maybe:-)) Have you also tried to check it using Dell Diagnostic as well?

Thank You.

Regards,

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Ivan Adrianto,
Melbourne, Australia
http://www.vinevessel.com
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Vinevessel,

Thank you for using the Dell | Talk forum.

Try creating a new diagnotics disk, updating the bios, and resetting the bios
defaults.
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Run the Dell Diagnostics:

1. Connect to the internet and browse to this web link:
http://support.dell.com/us/en/register.asp?redirect=yes
2. If needed, type in your 5 to 7 digit Service Tag (look for a label on the computer), once you type in the 5 to 7 digit service tag number, click "Sign in using Service Tag"
3.Click on "Downloads "
Under the "Downloads" section of the page.
4.On the Upper Right hand side of the screen,
"Search Keywords or File Names,"
Type in the following file name: CD110110.exe
Then click the "Go" button.
5.Click on the Link that is brought up, and download the
"Floppy" version of the file.

This file contains a compressed (or zipped) set of files. Download the file to a folder on your hard drive, and then run (double-click) it to unzip the set of 1-5 files. Follow the instructions to create a set of floppy diskettes, and then use the diskettes to complete the installation.

To start the diagnostic tests boot the computer with the diagnostic disk in the appropriate drive.
The files will automatically load into the system.
The system will prompt for one several choices, depending on the extent and specificity of the tests to be run. For example, the choices will include:
(Fully test all devices, Quickly test all devices, Select Device to test, Exit to MSDOS.) Depending on the Diagnostic version,
some of these choices may not be available.
You should try running the (Fully test all devices), if any errors are encountered
when try to use this choice then use the (Quickly test all devices.)
If any errors are encountered when the Diagnostics program is running,
then it is an actual hardware failure.
Fully test all devices, will run an entire, comprehensive test on the computer system.
Quickly test all devices, will run all tests on the entire system, without running as an exhaustive test on the hard drive as the Run All Tests selection will.
Select a device to test, allows for the testing of specific components in the system; this choice is used if there is good reason to suspect a specific component may be the cause of the failure.
Within select a device to test, are several specific tests which individually test RAM, System Set (the chipset on the motherboard), Video, Keyboard, Mouse, Drives, Ports (serial and parallel), SCSI Devices, and Network Interfaces.
Exit to MS-DOS will exit the diagnostics to a command prompt.

NOTE: For most situations, you should Run Quick Tests.
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You must have the Dell Resource CD or Windows CD, in the CDROM or DVD drive.
If you have a CDRW-Drive you must also have a blank formatted CDRW disk in that drive.
Disconnect all devices from the back of the system other then the, mouse,
keyboard, and monitor.
If you have a USB keyboard or mouse, you must switch to a PS2 keyboard or mouse. USB devices are not recognized by diagnostics.
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What is the results of the Diagnostics test???
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Upgrading your bios:

1.Go to the following web page:
http://support.dell.com/us/en/DHS-BSD_reg.asp?segId=5DS
2.Type in your service tag, and click the "GO" button.
3.Click on the "Downloads" button.
4.Step 1...choose your operating system.
5.Step 3...choose "Flash Bios updates." and click "GO"
6.Click on "Dell Dimension System Bios."
7.Click on "Dell Dimension System Bios XXXXX" again.
8.Click on the file name: BD820005.exe
9.Download the file to your desktop.

Once you have downloaded the file, put a blank formatted disk in the system.
Double click the file, and follow the prompts to create the bios upgrade disk.
Once the disk is created, leave it in the system and reboot the system.
The Bios upgrade will occur as the system boots up, and reads the disk.
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Entering Bios:
1.Using the F2 key the user may enter System Setup program.
If you are having trouble entering setup using this key,
press the F2 key when the keyboard leds 1st flash.
Also, (Ctrl-Alt-Enter) key sequence will still work.
Once you are in the System Setup Program (BIOS),
the top of the screen will read: Dell Dimension 8200

2.Resetting the default settings.
Press and activate the following keys.
(Capslock, Scroll Lock, Num Lock.)
When all three keyboard lights are lit, press the following keys.
( ALT-E )
With the keyboard lights lit, Clears the ESCD information stored in the NVRAM.
( ALT-F )
Resets all fields in the system setup to their factory default settings.
ALT-D With an individual field highlighted, resets the field to its factory default.
(ALT-B)
Exits System Setup, saving any changes, and reboots the system.