Dim 8100 Rebuild BIOS or Chipset First

Hi All,

I'm working on my little rebuild project of a Dimension 8100 to use as a
peer to peer closet file server. I got 512MB of ECC RDRAM from ebay,
installed no problems. I installed WinXP Home SP2 on a new 300GB Seagate
drive on Primary IDE0 partitioned into 86GB C OS and apps, 100GB F data and
100GB G data dives. Installed and formatted all drives okay.

The BIOS is A06 and there are updates to XPS2 file BD81XPP2.exe and A09 file
B8100_09.exe. Boy you really gotta read the BIOS release notes, because if
I hadn't I would have flashed to A09, which IS NOT for Win XP, but would
appear to be the latest BIOS for this machine. Because this was also a
Win98/ME and XP machine there is a special WinXP BIOS too, with A09 for all
Other OS. Another good reason for if it ain't broke...

From what I have researched, WinXP SP2 should have already installed the
Chipset drivers for the Intel 850 motherboard. Does that sound right?
Device manager appears to show all the chipset information correctly. I
can't even find a Win XP chipset file for this machine on Dell Support. So
is the chipset already installed along with Win XP SP2? If so, I assume I
should then just flash the BIOS to the WinXP Special Dell BIOS and the
continue with my other downloaded drivers. Did I miss something along the
way? Thanks for the usual high quality Dell Tech Support from this group!

Thanks, Pat

"Pat Conover" <pat conover at comcast dot net> wrote in message
news:. ..
> Hi All,
>
> I'm working on my little rebuild project of a Dimension 8100 to use as a
> peer to peer closet file server. I got 512MB of ECC RDRAM from ebay,
> installed no problems. I installed WinXP Home SP2 on a new 300GB Seagate
> drive on Primary IDE0 partitioned into 86GB C OS and apps, 100GB F data
> and 100GB G data dives. Installed and formatted all drives okay.
>
> The BIOS is A06 and there are updates to XPS2 file BD81XPP2.exe and A09
> file B8100_09.exe. Boy you really gotta read the BIOS release notes,
> because if I hadn't I would have flashed to A09, which IS NOT for Win XP,
> but would appear to be the latest BIOS for this machine. Because this was
> also a Win98/ME and XP machine there is a special WinXP BIOS too, with A09
> for all Other OS. Another good reason for if it ain't broke...
>
> From what I have researched, WinXP SP2 should have already installed the
> Chipset drivers for the Intel 850 motherboard. Does that sound right?
> Device manager appears to show all the chipset information correctly. I
> can't even find a Win XP chipset file for this machine on Dell Support.
> So is the chipset already installed along with Win XP SP2? If so, I
> assume I should then just flash the BIOS to the WinXP Special Dell BIOS
> and the continue with my other downloaded drivers. Did I miss something
> along the way? Thanks for the usual high quality Dell Tech Support from
> this group!
>
> Thanks, Pat
>

Pat -

Have a look at device manager. If it is clean (free of "!" or "?"
bangs/splats) and you have all function(s) (ie-video resolution, audio,
ethernet function, etc.) then leave it alone.

Further, if you have good function and the BIOS upgrades offer no added
function you need then I'd stay put with A06.

That machine and that chipset can be very poorly behaved. If it's purring
along right now I'd leave it the hell alone.

Stew

"S.Lewis" <> wrote in message
news:UGDEh.21928$.. .
>
> "Pat Conover" <pat conover at comcast dot net> wrote in message
> news:. ..
>> Hi All,
>>
>> I'm working on my little rebuild project of a Dimension 8100 to use as a
>> peer to peer closet file server. I got 512MB of ECC RDRAM from ebay,
>> installed no problems. I installed WinXP Home SP2 on a new 300GB Seagate
>> drive on Primary IDE0 partitioned into 86GB C OS and apps, 100GB F data
>> and 100GB G data dives. Installed and formatted all drives okay.
>>
>> The BIOS is A06 and there are updates to XPS2 file BD81XPP2.exe and A09
>> file B8100_09.exe. Boy you really gotta read the BIOS release notes,
>> because if I hadn't I would have flashed to A09, which IS NOT for Win XP,
>> but would appear to be the latest BIOS for this machine. Because this
>> was also a Win98/ME and XP machine there is a special WinXP BIOS too,
>> with A09 for all Other OS. Another good reason for if it ain't broke...
>>
>> From what I have researched, WinXP SP2 should have already installed the
>> Chipset drivers for the Intel 850 motherboard. Does that sound right?
>> Device manager appears to show all the chipset information correctly. I
>> can't even find a Win XP chipset file for this machine on Dell Support.
>> So is the chipset already installed along with Win XP SP2? If so, I
>> assume I should then just flash the BIOS to the WinXP Special Dell BIOS
>> and the continue with my other downloaded drivers. Did I miss something
>> along the way? Thanks for the usual high quality Dell Tech Support from
>> this group!
>>
>> Thanks, Pat
>>
>
> Pat -
>
> Have a look at device manager. If it is clean (free of "!" or "?"
> bangs/splats) and you have all function(s) (ie-video resolution, audio,
> ethernet function, etc.) then leave it alone.
>
> Further, if you have good function and the BIOS upgrades offer no added
> function you need then I'd stay put with A06.
>
> That machine and that chipset can be very poorly behaved. If it's purring
> along right now I'd leave it the hell alone.
>
> Stew
>

I agree with Stew. The 'all other' BIOS was actually called XP2 at one
point and that is what I have on my 8100, but if it ain't broke.

On Feb 26, 8:14 am, "S.Lewis" <stew1...@mail.com> wrote:
> "Pat Conover" <pat conover at comcast dot net> wrote in messagenews:I_OdnQ7qa77InX7YnZ2dnUVZ_viunZ2d@comca st.com...
>
>
>
> > Hi All,
>
> > I'm working on my little rebuild project of a Dimension 8100 to use as a
> > peer to peer closet file server. I got 512MB of ECC RDRAM from ebay,
> > installed no problems. I installed WinXP Home SP2 on a new 300GB Seagate
> > drive on Primary IDE0 partitioned into 86GB C OS and apps, 100GB F data
> > and 100GB G data dives. Installed and formatted all drives okay.
>
> > The BIOS is A06 and there are updates to XPS2 file BD81XPP2.exe and A09
> > file B8100_09.exe. Boy you really gotta read the BIOS release notes,
> > because if I hadn't I would have flashed to A09, which IS NOT for Win XP,
> > but would appear to be the latest BIOS for this machine. Because this was
> > also a Win98/ME and XP machine there is a special WinXP BIOS too, with A09
> > for all Other OS. Another good reason for if it ain't broke...
>
> > From what I have researched, WinXP SP2 should have already installed the
> > Chipset drivers for the Intel 850 motherboard. Does that sound right?
> > Device manager appears to show all the chipset information correctly. I
> > can't even find a Win XP chipset file for this machine on Dell Support.
> > So is the chipset already installed along with Win XP SP2? If so, I
> > assume I should then just flash the BIOS to the WinXP Special Dell BIOS
> > and the continue with my other downloaded drivers. Did I miss something
> > along the way? Thanks for the usual high quality Dell Tech Support from
> > this group!
>
> > Thanks, Pat
>
> Pat -
>
> Have a look at device manager. If it is clean (free of "!" or "?"
> bangs/splats) and you have all function(s) (ie-video resolution, audio,
> ethernet function, etc.) then leave it alone.
>

Stu:
It won't be free of bang's or splats. The infamous e-support button
will show up as an 'unknown device'.

Pat:
I generally update the bioses on my rebuilds, for the simple reason
that I do not know what peripherals and programs the end user might
encounter. It's a way of minimizing bugs. You, however already have it
set up and working fine as is. So it it's working fine, don't mess
with it.


> Further, if you have good function and the BIOS upgrades offer no added
> function you need then I'd stay put with A06.
>
> That machine and that chipset can be very poorly behaved. If it's purring
> along right now I'd leave it the hell alone.
>
> Stew

<> wrote in message
news: oups.com...
> On Feb 26, 8:14 am, "S.Lewis" <stew1...@mail.com> wrote:
>> "Pat Conover" <pat conover at comcast dot net> wrote in
>> messagenews:I_OdnQ7qa77InX7YnZ2dnUVZ_viunZ2d@comca st.com...
>>
>>
>>
>> > Hi All,
>>
>> > I'm working on my little rebuild project of a Dimension 8100 to use as
>> > a
>> > peer to peer closet file server. I got 512MB of ECC RDRAM from ebay,
>> > installed no problems. I installed WinXP Home SP2 on a new 300GB
>> > Seagate
>> > drive on Primary IDE0 partitioned into 86GB C OS and apps, 100GB F data
>> > and 100GB G data dives. Installed and formatted all drives okay.
>>
>> > The BIOS is A06 and there are updates to XPS2 file BD81XPP2.exe and A09
>> > file B8100_09.exe. Boy you really gotta read the BIOS release notes,
>> > because if I hadn't I would have flashed to A09, which IS NOT for Win
>> > XP,
>> > but would appear to be the latest BIOS for this machine. Because this
>> > was
>> > also a Win98/ME and XP machine there is a special WinXP BIOS too, with
>> > A09
>> > for all Other OS. Another good reason for if it ain't broke...
>>
>> > From what I have researched, WinXP SP2 should have already installed
>> > the
>> > Chipset drivers for the Intel 850 motherboard. Does that sound right?
>> > Device manager appears to show all the chipset information correctly.
>> > I
>> > can't even find a Win XP chipset file for this machine on Dell Support.
>> > So is the chipset already installed along with Win XP SP2? If so, I
>> > assume I should then just flash the BIOS to the WinXP Special Dell BIOS
>> > and the continue with my other downloaded drivers. Did I miss
>> > something
>> > along the way? Thanks for the usual high quality Dell Tech Support
>> > from
>> > this group!
>>
>> > Thanks, Pat
>>
>> Pat -
>>
>> Have a look at device manager. If it is clean (free of "!" or "?"
>> bangs/splats) and you have all function(s) (ie-video resolution, audio,
>> ethernet function, etc.) then leave it alone.
>>
>
> Stu:
> It won't be free of bang's or splats. The infamous e-support button
> will show up as an 'unknown device'.
>


Ah yes. The unknown PCI device. g That's a good reminder.

"S.Lewis" <> wrote in message
news:XVDEh.21934$.. .
> <> wrote in message
> news: oups.com...
Big Snip
>>> Pat -
>>>
>>> Have a look at device manager. If it is clean (free of "!" or "?"
>>> bangs/splats) and you have all function(s) (ie-video resolution, audio,
>>> ethernet function, etc.) then leave it alone.
>>>
>> Stu:
>> It won't be free of bang's or splats. The infamous e-support button
>> will show up as an 'unknown device'.
>
> Ah yes. The unknown PCI device. g That's a good reminder.

Tom, Stu and Paul, So that's what that Splat is from! The infamous
e-support button. Who needs e-support, when I have you folks. Anyway, I
have BIOS A06 and it looks like the mother of all BIOS updates were A08 and
A09 and their equivalents XP1 (not available) and XP2, which apparently
fixed a lot of USB, S3 suspend and other problems. It also added higher CPU
support up to 2.0GHz with a 400FSB. I was toying with the idea of dropping
a 2.0GHz P4 in it, but that's a waste of money from a 1.3GHz. No wonder
this thing crashed a lot with ME on it and 128MB of RDRAM.

My current A06 BIOS and the updated BIOS changes are shown below. Right now
with all the fixes, I'm leaning towards doing the XP2 BIOS update. I also
have the others just in case... I know if it ain't broke, but in this case
it looks like it may break down the road and I really don't need that. So
survey says? Yeah or Neah.

Thanks, Pat

I have BIOS A06
The following changes have been made to BIOS revision A04 to create A06 (A05
was not released from development):
1. Added capability to disable USB ports in SETUP.
2. Reconfigure ESCD for PXE changes.
3. Support C-step cpus (1.7 GHz and above).
4. Added capability to select deepest Suspend Mode in SETUP.

BIOS A08 (There is no BIOS A07 Listed)
The following changes have been made to BIOS revision A07 to create A08:
1. Added beep for CTRL-ALT-F8/F10/F12 sequences in POST.
2. Added support for newer Pentium 4 CPU's.
3. Add additional functions to Int 15 Remote Lockout interface.
4. Display "F12 = Network Boot" on POST screen.
5. Fixed potential hang on Restart to MS-DOS w/USB mouse.
6. Alter ACPI S3 handling to better support WindowsXP.
7. Fixed chipset initialization causing printer problems when port is in ECP
mode.
8. Adjust minimum speed threshold for system fan detection.
9. Changed the NIC detect to check for NIC_VENDOR_ID.
10. Fixed possible blue screen error during S3 Standby/resume.
11. Fix various USB issues.
12. Prevent BIOS from writing to user memory during flash updates.
13. Remove invalid IOAPIC support.

BIOS A09
The following changes have been made to the A08 BIOS to create A09:
1. Updated the BBS/Selectable boot code.
2. Updated USB emulation code.
3. Updated the log event code.
4. Added code to Save and Restore the PCI bridge registers during a S3.
5. Reverted to old LPT strategy.
6. Fixed System Setup "Primary Video Controller" force to AGP with No NIC.
7. Fixed PNP errors when installing dual Barco Cards.
8. Changed the F12 = Network Boot to F12 = Boot Menu.
9. Restart fan-monitoring when returning from a S3 state.

XP2 BIOS (There is no XP1 BIOS Listed)
This version of BIOS (XP2) is recommended for systems with Microsoft
XP.
For other operating systems, please use version A09, file name
8100_A09.EXE or B8100_09.exe.

The following changes have been made to the XP1 BIOS to create XP2:
1. Change the code from stuffing the keyboard buffer to setting a
CMOS bit for Access Direct.

On Feb 26, 12:35 pm, "Pat Conover" <pat conover at comcast dot net>
wrote:
> "S.Lewis" <stew1...@mail.com> wrote in message
>
> news:XVDEh.21934$.. .
>
> > <pau...@efn.org> wrote in message
> >news: roups.com...
> Big Snip
> >>> Pat -
>
> >>> Have a look at device manager. If it is clean (free of "!" or "?"
> >>> bangs/splats) and you have all function(s) (ie-video resolution, audio,
> >>> ethernet function, etc.) then leave it alone.
>
> >> Stu:
> >> It won't be free of bang's or splats. The infamous e-support button
> >> will show up as an 'unknown device'.
>
> > Ah yes. The unknown PCI device. g That's a good reminder.
>
> Tom, Stu and Paul, So that's what that Splat is from! The infamous
> e-support button. Who needs e-support, when I have you folks. Anyway, I
> have BIOS A06 and it looks like the mother of all BIOS updates were A08 and
> A09 and their equivalents XP1 (not available) and XP2, which apparently
> fixed a lot of USB, S3 suspend and other problems. It also added higher CPU
> support up to 2.0GHz with a 400FSB. I was toying with the idea of dropping
> a 2.0GHz P4 in it, but that's a waste of money from a 1.3GHz. No wonder
> this thing crashed a lot with ME on it and 128MB of RDRAM.
>
> My current A06 BIOS and the updated BIOS changes are shown below. Right now
> with all the fixes, I'm leaning towards doing the XP2 BIOS update. I also
> have the others just in case... I know if it ain't broke, but in this case
> it looks like it may break down the road and I really don't need that. So
> survey says? Yeah or Neah.
>
> Thanks, Pat
>
Most of these are trivial, or won't affect your config.

I've left the remainder. If you plan on using hibernation or standby,
i would update the bios. If you plan on using usb for more than mouse
and keyboard, then it's a good idea to update.

> BIOS A08 (There is no BIOS A07 Listed)
> The following changes have been made to BIOS revision A07 to create A08:
> 6. Alter ACPI S3 handling to better support WindowsXP.
> 10. Fixed possible blue screen error during S3 Standby/resume.
> 11. Fix various USB issues.
> 12. Prevent BIOS from writing to user memory during flash updates.
> 13. Remove invalid IOAPIC support.
>
> BIOS A09
> The following changes have been made to the A08 BIOS to create A09:
> 2. Updated USB emulation code.
> 4. Added code to Save and Restore the PCI bridge registers during a S3.

<> wrote in message
news: s.com...
> On Feb 26, 12:35 pm, "Pat Conover" <pat conover at comcast dot net>
> wrote:
>> "S.Lewis" <stew1...@mail.com> wrote in message
>>
>> news:XVDEh.21934$.. .
>>
>> > <pau...@efn.org> wrote in message
>> >news: roups.com...
>> Big Snip
>> >>> Pat -
>>
>> >>> Have a look at device manager. If it is clean (free of "!" or "?"
>> >>> bangs/splats) and you have all function(s) (ie-video resolution,
>> >>> audio,
>> >>> ethernet function, etc.) then leave it alone.
>>
>> >> Stu:
>> >> It won't be free of bang's or splats. The infamous e-support button
>> >> will show up as an 'unknown device'.
>>
>> > Ah yes. The unknown PCI device. g That's a good reminder.
>>
>> Tom, Stu and Paul, So that's what that Splat is from! The infamous
>> e-support button. Who needs e-support, when I have you folks. Anyway, I
>> have BIOS A06 and it looks like the mother of all BIOS updates were A08
>> and
>> A09 and their equivalents XP1 (not available) and XP2, which apparently
>> fixed a lot of USB, S3 suspend and other problems. It also added higher
>> CPU
>> support up to 2.0GHz with a 400FSB. I was toying with the idea of
>> dropping
>> a 2.0GHz P4 in it, but that's a waste of money from a 1.3GHz. No wonder
>> this thing crashed a lot with ME on it and 128MB of RDRAM.
>>
>> My current A06 BIOS and the updated BIOS changes are shown below. Right
>> now
>> with all the fixes, I'm leaning towards doing the XP2 BIOS update. I
>> also
>> have the others just in case... I know if it ain't broke, but in this
>> case
>> it looks like it may break down the road and I really don't need that.
>> So
>> survey says? Yeah or Neah.
>>
>> Thanks, Pat
>>
> Most of these are trivial, or won't affect your config.
>
> I've left the remainder. If you plan on using hibernation or standby,
> i would update the bios. If you plan on using usb for more than mouse
> and keyboard, then it's a good idea to update.
>
>> BIOS A08 (There is no BIOS A07 Listed)
>> The following changes have been made to BIOS revision A07 to create A08:
>> 6. Alter ACPI S3 handling to better support WindowsXP.
>> 10. Fixed possible blue screen error during S3 Standby/resume.
>> 11. Fix various USB issues.
>> 12. Prevent BIOS from writing to user memory during flash updates.
>> 13. Remove invalid IOAPIC support.
>>
>> BIOS A09
>> The following changes have been made to the A08 BIOS to create A09:
>> 2. Updated USB emulation code.
>> 4. Added code to Save and Restore the PCI bridge registers during a S3.

Paul, I think I am going with the latest XP2 update, if it all goes wrong I
don't have anything loaded and can start over with the next oldest BIOS or
the original. I will be using an APC with the Powerchute software, which
does rely on hibernate functioning properly.

I should have just ordered a new Dell, but I am trying to avoid Vista for
the time being. I just read about Vista and XP machines not seeing each
other on the same network...and the M$ beat goes on.

Thanks, Pat