@Vicktoria
Have you checked the Dell support site for a BIOS update?
Have you checked the Dell support site for a BIOS update?
No, not necessarily. When you start the computer it will usually show the BIOS brand name and version on the BIOS POST screen. It flashes by rather quickly!That would require getting the machine on line right?
Wow! Well found @sp331yi . Good job, well done!@Vicktoria
Went to Dell, found the following re: BIOS
Dell
Copyright (C) 2002, All Rights reserved.
www.dell.com
BIOS Release Notes
Systems: Dell Inspiron 8000 (Memory location F000:E845)
Version: A20 (Memory location F000:E842)
Build Date: 05/02/02 (Memory location FFFF:0005)
*********************************************************************
** IMPORTANT NOTES FOR THIS RELEASE **
1. Users with systems equipped with nVidia video controllers must
also download and install an updated video driver when upgrading
to this BIOS. Failure to do so may prevent the LCD panel from
operating at its optimal resolution or prevent the system from
resuming from Standby.
Please refer to the list of driver versions and file names below
to find the correct driver for your operating system.
Operating System Driver Version Driver File Name
-------------------------------------------------------
Windows ME A06 ME1660A6.EXE
Windows 2000 A07 W2K_1640.EXE
Windows XP A07 WXP_1640.EXE
2. Windows 2000 users with systems equipped with ATI video
controllers must also download and install the A07 video driver
(W2KA07.EXE) when upgrading to this BIOS. Failure to do so may
prevent the LCD panel from to turning on when opening the lid
after suspending the system by closing the lid.
3. Windows ME users must also download and install the OS Update
utility for Windows ME (OSUPA00.EXE) when upgrading to this BIOS
version. Failure to do so may prevent the system or peripherals
from functioning properly.
*********************************************************************
The following updates were made to the A19 BIOS to create A20:
Issues Fixed:
1. Fixed issue in which systems may fail to complete POST with 256MB
RAM installed.
2. Fixed issue in which Remote BIOS Update may fail to update the
BIOS.
3. Fixed issue in which the fans may remain on high speed constantly.
4. Fixed issue seen under Windows ME in which a <Fn+F8> display
switch may disable extended desktop or result in no video.
5. Fixed issue in which a suspend initiated by closing the lid may
cause the LCD display to resume in compressed font mode.
6. Fixed issue seen when using Safeguard Easy security software in
which a "No bootable devices" error is seen after entering
the correct password.
7. Fixed issue in which WinDVD will pause after a Standby is
initiated from the Start Menu with USB speakers attached.
8. Fixed issue in which the user is not able to enter System Setup
after booting to a CD-ROM drive.
9. Fixed issue where "Time-of-Day" intermittently shows up as all
zeros.
10. Fixed issue seen when resuming from hibernate on battery power
only in which the OS may report unsafe removal of a USB device.
11. Fixed issue where system does not correctly detect the battery
when inserted and removed several times.
12. Fixed issue in which the system fails to obtain an IP address
from a DHCP server when booting from a PXE-compliant CardBus NIC.
13. Fixed issue seen Windows 2000 and Windows XP in which a USB
device may be re-enumerated after warm undock.
14. Fixed issue in which the OS does not always detect a battery
change.
15. Fix CMOS error seen on some systems at POST (invalid CMOS
configuration) after over 3 hours of continuous reboots.
16. Fixed issue in which the OS may report that a battery is
charging even if the charger is disabled.
17. Fixed lock-ups seen when the BIOS password screen is repeatedly
aborted (i.e. wrong password entered) and the system re-suspends.
18. Fixed issue in which the system loops on suspend when a
critically low battery is installed.
19. Fix problem that leads to intermittent hangs when playing DVDs
under Windows XP and Windows 2000.
20. Fixed issue in which the serial port is not initialized properly
preventing some serial comms applications from working.
21. Fixed issue in which ACPI may report that both batteries are
charging even though only one can charge at a time.
22. Fixed intermittent flickering seen on some UXGA LCD panels on
systems equipped with the NVIDIA video controller.
Enhancements:
1. Configure PS/2 devices earlier in POST, allowing earlier detection
of "F2" and "F12" keys.
2. Increased the amount of time before the system shuts down when
swapping batteries without AC power attached when in suspend mode.
3. Added support for faster resume from hibernate.
4. Allow changes to Touchpad/Mouse settings in System Setup to take
effect immediately instead of requiring a reboot.
5. Updated the ATI Video BIOS to version 4.095.
6. Updated the NVIDIA Video BIOS to version 3.11.01.44.B4.
The BIOS release has been validated on the following operating systems:
1. Microsoft Windows 2000 ACPI
2. Microsoft Windows Millennium ACPI
3. Microsoft Windows XP
Look like some of your issues are BIOS-related?
NOTE: I simply renamed the .exe file to .zip so it could be attached, here. So, simply do the reverse in order to make use of.