Thank you very much Majestic

However, when I have pressed Alt + E together and get a beep, and follow this with Esc, initially I had no request to save changes.

I then altered the NUM LOCK ON setting in teh BIOS to force a change and have this saved, but on rebooting still have the error.

Seems I might have get a BIOS upgrade - do you have any other ideas? (Hope the virus hasn't wrecked my system board)

Frustrated

Hi Majestic - thanks very much for your prompt reply -

Unfortuantely for me, I'm in the UK and can't get to the US Dell support site - it tells me to "choose another region".  Can you either paste the instructions into a reply to this post, or tell me how to "search" dell - I can't see how to do it.

Thanks very much for your help.

Frustrated

Try clearing the NVRAM.  This can be useful in resolving boot up issues where the computer's BIOS fails to recognize a new piece of hardware.  By clearing the NVRAM the BIOS will get a fresh inventory of the attached hardware. 

Here is how to clear the NVRAM on your model:

http://support.dell.com/us/en/kb/document.asp?dn=1023538#Section1

Be glad to copy and paste...... here it is:

Dimension 8200, 8100, 4500S, 4300, and 2200 Systems

To clear the NVRAM, perform the following steps:

Restart your computer.

At the first text on the screen or at the Dell logo, press the key every three seconds until the message Entering Setup appears.

The System Setup screen appears.

Press the key, the key, and the key to light up all three lights on the keyboard.

Press the and keys at the same time.
The system will emit a beep tone to indicate that NVRAM has been cleared.

Press the key, and then press the key to save the changes and reboot the system.

I don't know much about the guts of PCs (as you can tell!).  If I look for the BIOS upgrade - do I need the latest latest file or the one which has the same number as my PC has?

BIOS upgrade A09 for the 8200 is called:  BD820009.exe   just incase you can't access the link I have provided below for it:

 http://support.dell.com/filelib/download.aspx?FileID=58299&c=us&l=en&s=gen&Category=1&OS=NAA&OSL=EN&SvcTag=&SysID=DIM_PNT_P4_8200&DeviceID=308&Type=&ReleaseID=R49451

Just follow the instructions on the download page for installing the upgrade.

I would try the BIOS upgrade and see what happens.  The latest BIOS version for your model is A09 and there was a minor fix included in that version for PCI related devices.  This may or may not affect your network card, but it's worth a try.  I would do the BIOS upgrade and if the problem continued then remove the card and clear the NVRAM again.  Then re-install the card.

If you are still concerned about the virus you can try an on-line virus scan from these web sites:

http://us.mcafee.com/default.asp

http://www.trendmicro.com/en/home/us/personal.htm

Fabulous

Thank you so much - i have now got rid of the error- now can I instal the NIC?

Nope- but I have another option - go to the supplier website (again and get another driver.

I am further forward - thank you for your help.

Must go now - got some beer ot drink.

Frustrated (but not so bad!)

If the BIOS upgrade is done,  the error message has disappeared and you have the latest drivers in hand then go ahead and install the card.

Have a pint for me!   

Well I should know by now never to jump the gun.

I installed windows updates, and thought I should ensure I had A-V protection before I went searching for the driver file (linksys.com) but found that created problems too!  I now have to go get an updated A-V program before continuing further.  I am on the verge of ditching the Linksys card I bought and revisiting the 3Com card bought with my DELL, - then loading the driver file shown under the machine service tag reference - see how that goes.

I am getting a bit fed up with this - it's a week now since my box contracted the bug and I'm not getting on too well towards restoring the network connections.  Everything else I try to do (generally) seems ok, in terms of application software, running speed and so-on. 

Will let you know how I progress - will try to get Norton A-V 2004 upgrade today.

Cheers

Frustrated

(computers are like 1970's cars - when they don't work...........scream, count to five million and one, and then some, and try to get going again!)