usb drivers not there- please help

Christineraza,

Thank you for using the Dell | Talk forum.

What steps did you perform from that article, and what was
the last thing you did?

Thanks for answering Karrell,

I used document number FA1057814. I think where I got into trouble was in the section where I edited the registry. The instructions said to remove certain keys. Under USB, I deleted all the folders. I was never sure if this was right. The rest of the document, was followed correctly.

Prior to this problem, I foolishly flashed the BIOS from A03 to A13. When using the A03 BIOS, the USB feature was set to disabled, and Legacy USB was enabled in the setup. I have kept this configuration, because when I entered the setup for the A13 BIOS, it said something about the A:/ drive not being recognized if set to enabled, so I kept it the same.

I really do appreciate any help you can give me.
christine

Christineraza,

Use Scanreg/Restore (System Restore) to go back to a previous registry setting before you made any changes to it.
Once you have restored the system registry, you can try to troubleshoot
the USB problem you are having again.
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**For Windows98**

How Do I Restore Windows® 98 Registry?

A failed installation of hardware or software or changes to the Windows system can cause corruption in the Windows registry. Once problems have developed in the registry, the system may no longer boot into Windows or will only boot into Safe Mode. If this has occurred, you may be able to restore a previous version of the Windows registry to repair te Windows operating system.

To restore a backup copy of Windows 98 registry, boot to a C:\ prompt (MS-DOS® Mode) using any one of the following methods:

Reboot to the Windows 98 Startup Disk (the one you made when you set up your system for the first time). Choose the option to skip CD support.

Reboot the system and hold down the (Ctrl) key until the StartUp menu appears, then choose Safe Mode Command Prompt Only.

Click the Start button, click Shut Down, click Restart in MS-DOS Mode, and then click OK.
After you boot to MS-DOS mode, ensure it is at the root directory C:\> If you're not at the root, you will need to change directories by typing the following:
cd c:\ and press Enter.

To restore a backup copy of Windows registry, perform the following steps:

From the root directory C:\ prompt, type the following:
cd\windows\command and press Enter.
scanreg /restore and press Enter.
Use the (Down Arrow) to select the date of the registry you want to restore. Typically this will be the most recent or next-to-most-recent date.
Once you highlight the date, press the (Enter) key.
After a brief pause, you should receive the message: You have restored a good registry.
Eject the floppy diskette (if you used the Windows 98 Startup Disk) and press (Enter) to continue.
The system should reboot and load Windows with the restored registry.
You may need to reinstall any software that was installed on the system after the date of the registry restore that you selected. For example, if you installed software on 9/1 and you restore a copy of the registry from 8/31, it will need to be re-installed. Likewise, any system settings, such as Screen Saver, Wallpaper, or Themes, made since the registry restore date will need to be changed again.

If the earlier version of the registry is also corrupt, the system will report an error. You can try each of the other dates listed. If all versions of the registry are corrupt, you will need to reinstall your operating system. Se Dell Knowledge Base Article TT1024679 for instructions to reinstall Windows operating system.

For help with Windows functions, click Start, click Help and when the Help menu appears, click on the Index tab. Type in a key word for the desired task you need help with and wish to review.
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**For Windows ME **

You can run System Restore, by doing the following:
1. Click on Start, Programs, Accessories,System Tools, System Restore.
2.Check the box for (Restore my computer to an earlier time)
3.Click Next.
4.Choose a (Restore Date.) before the problem started.
5.Click Next.
6.Click Next again.
7.The system should restore and reboot.

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**For Windows XP **

Using System Restore.

1.Click on (Start,Programs, Accessories,System Tools, System Restore.)
2.Check the box for (Restore my computer to an earlier time)
3.Click Next.
4.Choose a (Restore Date.) before the problem started.
5.Click Next.
6.Click Next again.
7.The system should restore and reboot.

whew! I'll try it. thanks for the help,
christine