Plug and Play Configuration Error

Question

Hopefully this isn't a repost, but here goes ...   Yesterday my computer froze up just as I plugged a Memory Stick reader into a USB 2.0 port on the back of my computer. I have a Dimension 8100 with XP (SP1, BIOS revision XP2), so USB 2.0 support was added via a PCI adapter. Upon plugging in the MS reader, everything froze, and the music that was playing on my computer glitched infinitely. Neither mouse nor keyboard would work or respond, so ctrl+alt+del naturally did nothing. The only way to get out of it was to power down by holding the power button down.   When I booted back up, I got the error 'Plug & Play Configuration Error.' Options were F1 to continue or F2 to go into setup. I went into setup to have a look but made no changes. My computer froze during the startup process and I had to power down again. I booted up AGAIN (still received the P&P error) and this time was able to load windows by using 'Last known configuration that worked.' I went into device manager to try and uninstall the PCI-USB 2.0 card, hoping a fresh install of the drivers would solve the problem. Before it could even uninstall the PCI card, it froze again.   This time when I shut down and started up again I still got the P&P error, but couldn't load windows in any way. I tried Normal, Last Known Good, and Safe Mode ... and all three freeze before windows loads.   I did a little research on Google and this seems to be specific to Dells. What I plan to try next is to reistall my BIOS. The latest version for my system according to Dell's website is A09, even though I thought XP2 was released afterwards. Either way I plan on trying to install A09 to see if that will solve the problem.   In the meantime, any solutions or information relevant to this issue would be greatly appreciated. Until I figure this out I'm stuck using an old laptop while staring at a 40 lb. paperweight. Thanks in advance for any suggestions.   ~Travis

Majestic · Answer

A couple of things I would try.... first, since you are using Windows XP you should really be using BIOS version XP2 with your system.  That version can be found by clicking here.  I doubt you will be able to reflash your BIOS with the A09 version so upgrading to the XP2 would be a better alternative.    Secondly, try clearing the NVRAM on your system.  This would help rule out any possible corruption of the hardware information stored in the NVRAM.   If your problem is related to the BIOS then it is more likely an NVRAM problem.  You can click here for a Dell Knowledge Base article that will explain how to clear the NVRAM on the 8100.

Trav06 · Answer

Majestic:   Thanks for the suggestions. BIOS revision XP2 is already installed on my computer. I've had it for a while now. I was thinking of re-installing to see if that would fix the problem.   As for clearing the NVRAM, I tried that upon your suggestion and it didn't fix the problem -- still can't boot into windows.   Any suggestions are welcome, thanks for the help so far.   ~Travis

Majestic · Answer

The next thing I would try is physically removing the USB card from the system to see if Windows will boot up without it installed.   If still no success you might consider posting in the Software - Windows XP forum to see what other opinions you receive.  Possibly there is a way to use the Windows XP CD and do a repair.  I'm not a real big Windows XP user so I don't know all the tips and tricks with that OS.

Trav06 · Answer

I have tried that too Majestic. Plugged in, unplugged ... it doesn't seem to matter, I still get the error :smileysad:   I'll try to repost this on a different board, but I am always open to suggestions, so if you can think of any thing else please share.   Thanks for the help so far.     ~Travis

tajender · Answer

Hi

As per the issue that you are facing, go ahead and unplug all the PCI cards from computer including any sound cards, Network cards, modems and the USB 2.0 card too, see if the system works. If it still doesnt works reseat all the IDE cables(i.e. all the CD-ROM and Hard drives). If still the system is failing please download the latest version of the Dell BIOS for the system (version A09) from the following link

http://support.dell.com/support/downloads/format.aspx?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs&SystemID=DIM_PNT_P4_8100&os=WW1&osl=en&deviceid=308&typecnt=1&releaseid=R34822&vercnt=6

You need to download 8100_A09.EXE using the first link on the page. You would need a blank floppy disc to update the bios on your system. If this works then individually add the PCI cards back to the system and see if the error comes up. If this doesnt helps then the motherboard needs to be replaced for the issue. Contact dell technical support at 1-800-624-9896.

Trav06 · Answer

I think the BIOS version I have is actually more recent than A09. BIOS revision XP2 was released after A09, in 2002 I think. But I do need to try unplugging and reseating the PCI cards.   Thanks for the suggestion.

dmzconsult · Answer

Best Answer - remove the DVD burner and try again, then see what happens, I'm guessing that is what is wrong, if it still says that then it means that in all probability the hard drive was not liked by the computer, if it is your booting hard drive (the one with Windows) then you need to take it to a computer shop for therapy: This is beyond a users ability to fix

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