Manuals

Back to Contents Page

Drivers: Dell™ Dimension™ 8100 System Reference

	Your Computer's Drivers
	Using the Dell Dimension ResourceCD to Reinstall Drivers

All of your computer's drivers for Dell-installed devices are operative when you receive the computer—no further installation or configuration is needed. However, if you ever need to reinstall any of these drivers, the driver files are provided on the Dell Dimension ResourceCD.

Device problems can often be corrected by reinstalling the appropriate drivers. Also, hardware manufacturers frequently provide updated drivers that support feature enhancements or that correct problems. Obtain updated drivers for products purchased from Dell at the support section of the Dell World Wide Web site (http://support.dell.com).

NOTICE: Drivers available on the Dell website have been validated for correct operation on Dell computers. Installing drivers obtained from other sources may cause errors or performance degradation.

Your Computer's Drivers

NOTICE: The Dell support website, http://support.dell.com, and the Dell Dimension ResourceCD provide approved drivers for Dell computers. If you install drivers obtained from other sources, your computer might not work correctly.

The following device drivers can be reinstalled on your computer:

Intel® Chip Set Update Utility Driver — Installs the Microsoft® Windows® operating system device installation files (.inf) that tell the operating system how certain chip set components should be configured for proper operation.

Intel Ultra ATA Storage Driver — Improves your computer's performance by transferring certain functions from the microprocessor during data transfers from storage devices.

Integrated 3Com® Controller Driver — Enables the built-in 3Com NIC to properly communicate on a network.

3Com Diagnostics Driver — Runs diagnostic tests on the network card.

Dell Utilities — Includes Autoshutdown, Asset, and Autopower utilities.

Other Drivers — Control the devices, such as modem cards or video cards, that might be installed on your computer. For instructions on how to reinstall those drivers, see the device’s documentation by double-clicking the Dell Documents icon on the Windows desktop, clicking System Information, and then clicking System Documentation.

HINT: If a driver does not appear under a selected operating system on the Dell Dimension ResourceCD, then the driver is not required by that operating system.

HINT: If you reinstall Windows 98, you must reinstall the Intel Chip Set Data Utility before you reinstall any other drivers.

Using the Dell Dimension ResourceCD to Reinstall Drivers

NOTICE: The Dell Dimension ResourceCD contains drivers for devices that might not be installed in your computer. Do not install device drivers unless you first identify the specific driver intended for the hardware installed in your computer (see Your Computer's Drivers). Installing incorrect drivers might make your computer inoperable.

1. From the Windows desktop, insert the Dell Dimension ResourceCD into the CD or DVD drive.
   
   If this is your first time using the ResourceCD, go to step 2. If not, go to step 5.
   
   
2. When the ResourceCD Installation program starts, follow the instructions on the screen.
   
   
3. When the InstallShield Wizard Complete window appears, remove the ResourceCD and click Finish to restart the computer.
   
   
4. When you see the Windows desktop, reinsert the ResourceCD into the CD or DVD drive.
   
   
5. At the Welcome Dell System Owner screen, click Next.

The Please wait... the ResourceCD is detecting hardware in your computer message appears.

6. Click the driver that you want to reinstall and follow the prompts on the screen.

The drivers that are used by your computer are automatically displayed in the My Drivers�The ResourceCD has identified these components in your system window.

If a particular driver is not listed, then that driver is not required by your operating system.

HINT: The ResourceCD displays drivers only for hardware that was installed at Dell at the time of purchase. If you installed any additional hardware, those drivers may not be displayed by the ResourceCD. If those drivers are not displayed, exit the ResourceCD program and refer to the documentation and drivers that came with that product.

To view other contents on the ResourceCD:

1. Be sure your computer is selected in the System Model list.
   
   
2. Be sure your operating system is selected in the Operating System list.
   
   
3. Select the type of device in the Device Type list.
   
   
4. Select a topic in the Topic list.

If you select Drivers in the Topic list and a particular driver is not listed, then that driver is not required by your operating system.

NOTICE: The Dell Dimension ResourceCD contains drivers for devices that are not part of your computer. Only reinstall the specific drivers for hardware included in your computer. Otherwise, your computer might not work correctly.

Back to Contents Page