Greetings Bev--
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "AlohaBev" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>

> At 1/13/06 02:19 AM, Hugh Vandervoort wrote:
>
>>I had a similar driver problem with my add-on card reader recently. The 
>>driver update completely disabled the device, but "Roll Back driver" fixed 
>>the problem immediately. I've heard many people complain about this 
>>process, but this is the first time I've seen the evidence.
>>System restore might be of some help with this problem, but I think I'd 
>>look into the BIOS first, to make sure the port is detected and enabled.
>>
[snip]
> Aha, you may be onto something, but the Troubleshooter didn't mention 
> looking into the BIOS or give directions to do that, and I never have on 
> the machine having problems.  It's a Dell Inspirion laptop.  Will "System 
> Information" give up the info needed?
>
---------end originals----------------
It is possible, but not likely that System Information will 'give up' the 
needed
information. What you need to do (and, hopefully, the prompt will be visible
on screen when you start up your laptop) is press the indicated key to enter
"Setup".  This key can vary. On some computers, it is the "Delete" key, on
others it may be F1, F2, F12 or some other key. Once you have entered setup
(this is the computer's 'hardware' setup area or BIOS [Basic Input/Output 
System]
area, and it is programmed into/onto an EPROM [Electronically Programmable
Read Only Memory] chip, and it "sets the stage" for the computer to 
recognize
its components and load an operating system), read the screen(s) for 
instructions
to a.) change to other screens and b.) locate and change settings on 
available
screens. This is the area where COM ports can be enabled or disabled, etc.
Check here for areas that may need to be enabled for the operating system
(which loads after the BIOS 'prepares' the hardware) to locate COM, LPT,
and other ports that are (or may be) available.

HTH and that it hasn't made things more confusing.

Paul A. Shippert
Library Media Specialist
Margaret Brent Middle School 

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