PCI Simple Communications Controller has question mark in Device Manager

The "system" is a Dimension E510 -- a desktop with XP and Service Pack 3.

Hi Zebra888,

Thanks very much for the information you've provided - I think at this point, the most important thing to ask is what Dell system do you have? If you can give me this, I can check your info with the list of drivers required and we can see if we can solve this for you.

Hope to hear from you soon!

VEN 14F1    Conexant Systems, Inc. (Formerly Rockwell)
Dev 2F20  Rockwell Conexant HCF PCI Modem

Dimension 5150 / E510

Conexant D850 Modem Driver

http://downloads.dell.com/comm/R73044.EXE

I've tried inputting these numbers at pcidatabase.com with no luck.

THANKS - I downloaded the R73044 file, ran it, and checked Device Manager to see if the question mark was there.

It was not, so I am assuming and believe all is well now with regard to the PCI Controller. 

I don't know how you obtained the right file, but I thank you for this bit of good luck.

If you aren't already aware Windows XP reaches End of Life in April. I would advise against installing it, that system should be able to handle Windows 7 without any issues. For more details see:

• End of Life – April 2014 (Microsoft)
• White Paper Mitigating Risk: Why Sticking with Windows XP is a Bad Idea. (IDC Analyze the Future)

Should you decide to upgrade to Windows 7 or 8.1 my guides might be useful:

• http://dellwindowsreinstallationguide.com/
• http://dellwindowsreinstallationguide.com/driver-sets/dimension-desktops/

Then "Older Models" in the pdf guide on Windows 7 and Windows 8 refer to the models listed subsequently, beginning with Dimension 1100 = B110 (30/09/2005)

and not to my Dimension E510 listed above the models beginning with Dimension 1100 = B110 (30/09/2005)?

I was confused by what the pdf guide said and your post about my computer being able to handle Windows 7, which I understand is more useful than Windows 8 or 8.1.

Requirements for windows 7 are very minimal.

Less than 2 gigs ram on 7 or 8 is horrible however.

• 1 GHz processor or faster

• 1-2 GB RAM / 16-20 GB available hard disk space

• 1024 × 768 screen resolution

• DirectX 9 graphics processor with WDDM driver

Requirements for windows 8 add NX , PAE, SSE2.

• 1 GHz processor or faster with support for PAE, NX, and SSE2

• 1-2 GB RAM / 16-20 GB available hard disk space

• 1024 × 768 screen resolution

• DirectX 9 graphics processor with WDDM driver

This is in bios under SECURITY

Execute Disable Bit.

http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink?linkid=259439

WDDM Drivers are Vista Drivers either 32 or 64 bit.

If your Dell computer only displays a model code in System Setup program or on the

Dell startup screen, use this reference list to determine your computer’s model name.

In 2005, the System Setup program on certain Dell Dimension, Inspiron and XPS

computers was changed to display a model code instead of the computer model name.

The Resource and Driver CD also lists the computer by the code.

Knowing both your computer’s model code and model name is helpful

when updating drivers and other software.

Dimension

Inspiron

XPS

Requirements for windows 7 are very minimal.

I updated an E510 to an SSD and Windows 7 last year, and the owner is very pleased with the results, saying it was like having a new computer at a much lower cost than a new computer.

[/quote]

If you're in a position to tell me where you obtained Windows 7, I would appreciate it:emotion-2:[quote user="rdunnill"]

I got it from Newegg, which regularly offers Home Premium for $80 and Professional for $120. (In this case, it was Professional.)

Here's a Dell Windows 7 Home Premium OEM disk with COA for $65. The seller has 5163 feedback ratings with only two negatives, both frivolous. You can keep the Dell brand on your E521. :emotion-1:

Regarding the relative's E510, the stellar performance came from the SSD, which eliminates the bottleneck of hard drive IO. The E510 had had a new 7200-RPM hard drive installed two years before, but it was starting to slow down noticeably.