Just recently I tried to install WinXP in my Dell Dimension 8100 (BIOS vA08) desktop. I could find no chipset driver in Dell Support for my case, so I asked my local Dell technical support. The answer was that no such driver would be needed as WinXP would sense the chipset configuration automatically. I went ahead with the WinXP installation using the other drivers available through Dell Support.

 

After installing WinXP, the Device Manager showed a yellow questionmark for  "Other Devices" which contains the entry "Unsupported Device." Clicking "Properties" showed that the unsupported device location is "on Microsoft ACPI-compliant system." In addition, the sound card was performing poorly.

 

A closer look at Dell Support info showed that a BIOS update to vA09 should be carried out for Dell Dimension 8100 before installing WinXP. This update was carried out and WinXP was re-installed. Afterwards the yellow questionmarked "unsupported device" was still in Device Manager but the sound card problem was fixed.

 

A Google search for clues produced

 

 

The same source mentions that file BD81XPP1.exe, obtainable from Dell Support, may be needed. However, searcing Dell Support produces

 

The file you are attempting to locate is no longer available

 

So what can I do next? My pc was sold with the understanding that it would be upgraded to WinXP (from the unworkable WinMe it came with) as soon as the former became available. A certificate for a WinXP upgrade was given to me at the time of purchase. I never took up the offer. What I am asking is, how come that a pc that was intended for use with WinXP cannot be upgraded successfully even years after it was released? Should I upgrade to a more recent BIOS version? Are there any other remedies to get rid of the yellow questionmarks in Device Manager?

 

Thanks in advance for any replies,