Dell complaints

juise15 · Regular Hater Joined: 09 Apr 2006 Posts: 29

Ok so I actually spent money and got a new motherboard for my system (Insp 9100). Freakin power problems forced this motherboard to go out.

However when I received the new motherboard (No install instructions here), I installed the board and put everything back like new. Now when I start the computer it shows a yellow ! next to the Wireless 1450 Card (Code 10 Device Cannot Start).

I have been on the phone for 5 days now with these people trying to get this resolved. Because the computer is out of warranty they wont help me. However I was able to tell them about a 90 day warranty on the board and that this wasnt a problem before the replacement.

I have a 2nd Insp 9100 so I was able to test the card and the wireless card works. I have done the following troubleshooting steps:

1. Formatted and reinstalled OS (WinXP Pro)
2. Removed the card and reinserted
3. Flashed Bios
4. Updated all drivers
5. Put Windows 98 on there (LOL)

The level 2 tech said I probably needed a system exchange but he didnt think it was possible due to age. What will DELL do about this crap. Seems like to me if they sell something that doesnt work and they dont want to fix it (so many people have the motherboard problem) then they need legal action filed.

They wont give me a direct number to the escalations team, nor a direct extension to anyone who can help. I was told to retry in 24-48 hours or await a call from them. Anyone have the number to the switchboard?

nis_pero · Dances with Hate Joined: 06 Jun 2005 Posts: 285

I have a dirty suspicion that all you need is this:

http://support.dell.com/support/downloads/download.aspx?c=ca&cs=CADHS1&l=en&s=dhs&releaseid=R115321&SystemID=INS_PNT_P4_9100&os=WW1&osl=en&deviceid=6483&devlib=0&typecnt=2&vercnt=18&formatcnt=1&libid=5&fileid=152055

WinXP does not come with the drivers for miniPCI cards, and much less does Win98.
_________________
Don't be lazy, build your own computer...

FallenAngel · Super Hater Joined: 21 Feb 2006 Posts: 1516

If it's a new board and the BIOS has been flashed, you could check the settings to verify if 'PnP OS installed' is set to NO or YES.

Make sure it's set to YES (if this option is available in the 9100 BIOS).

If not, check Page 3 (Alt+P to switch pages) of the BIOS Setup and it should reference the Wireless Configuration. Make sure it is set to
Wireless >>
Enabled >>
FN+F2/Application >>
ON

juise15 · Regular Hater Joined: 09 Apr 2006 Posts: 29

Thats all gravy and YES i did install the most recent drivers (if you were able to read the first post) so I have no idea what to do now

juise15 · Regular Hater Joined: 09 Apr 2006 Posts: 29

and I tried switching the cards that I have and both of them show up as (!)

One card is a 1450 wireless and the other is 1400 so i am stuck now Sad

Also tried on different hard drives

FallenAngel · Super Hater Joined: 21 Feb 2006 Posts: 1516

So your issue is not so much that your cards aren't being detected as much as...your Mobo is NOT detecting any mini PCI device at all. It knows there's something physically there but using Code 10 it's letting you know the port assignment isn't acknowledging a "greeting" as the system starts up.

Reinstalling the OS will accomplish nothing at this point. It appears to be related to the mobo's ability to communicate with that particular port/etc.

Now we just need to figure out HOW to make it co-operate.

Perhaps goto BIOS and reset defaults and clear NVRAM. I *think* this is accomplished using ALT+F and ALT+E.

juise15 · Regular Hater Joined: 09 Apr 2006 Posts: 29

Didnt work. Im frustrated now.

FallenAngel · Super Hater Joined: 21 Feb 2006 Posts: 1516

What didn't work? Clearing NVRAM or resetting BIOS defaults?