Member Avatar for bmcquee1

After a reformat of a Dell Dimension 2400, the resolution of the machine will not go above 480X640. I can not get any sound to play. In device manager, I get the big Yellow Question Mark of Death for all of the "Other Devices," including my ethernet controller, multimedia controller, PCI Modem, SM Bus Controller, USB Controller, and Video Controller. What can I do to remedy this problem?

  • 7 Contributors
  • 6 Replies
  • 199 Views
  • 6 Years Discussion Span
  • Latest Post Latest Post by rch1231

Dani AI

Generated

Quick diagnosis and plan for : after a reformat, Windows often only has generic drivers so many devices fall into "Other devices" and video stays at a low VGA resolution. The single most important step is installing the motherboard/chipset INF first — that lets Windows enumerate the SMBus, PCI devices and onboard controllers correctly. called this out; confirming BIOS settings for onboard LAN/audio/modem (enabled/disabled) is also a quick sanity check.

Practical, reliable sequence (keeps installs simple and predictable):

  • Obtain drivers that match the exact model and OS architecture (32 vs 64 bit). Using the machine Service Tag or model helps find the right packages.
  • Install chipset/INF first.
  • Install display/video driver (restores full resolutions).
  • Install LAN/ethernet so the machine can fetch other updates.
  • Install audio, modem, USB and remaining device drivers.
    Reboot after major packages. This follows the OEM-driver advice from , and the reinstall point from .

How to identify unknown devices when a model-based package isn’t obvious: in Device Manager open an unknown device -> Properties -> Details -> Hardware Ids. Note the VEN and DEV strings, then look them up in a PCI-ID/vendor database to find the matching driver. Use Device Manager’s Update Driver -> Browse my computer or the “Have Disk” method to point to the downloaded driver folder.

Troubleshooting notes and cautions: uninstall stubborn "Other devices" entries then scan for hardware changes after installing the chipset INF; many vendor installers need normal mode (some Device Manager fixes can be tried in Safe Mode but installers often will not run there); prefer OEM drivers and the Microsoft guidance mentioned earlier by ; if drivers still fail, consider factory image restore or Dell support as a last resort.

Recommended Answers

All 6 Replies

Member Avatar for bobbyraw

go to dell wed site and down load driver for all the devices listed under other devices, for your model of pc

Member Avatar for Suspishio

To add to that, in Device Manager use the option to reinstall the drivers for each affected device.

Hope that works and best to do this in Safe Mode as user Administrator.

Member Avatar for laidback

i cannot find any category called "other devices" on the dell site

Member Avatar for Jean_2

This very helpfull, just follow the step.Hope Can Solve the Problem.goodluck

Member Avatar for rch1231

Hello what you are missing is the Chipset driver (motherboard Intel or AMD based). Without it the OS cannot talk properly to the system bus, memory controllers and devices built into the mother board. Once you install it you need may need to reinstall network and audio devices but you will see that it starts to recognise all the other devices after the chipset driver is installed.

Be a part of the DaniWeb community

We're a friendly, industry-focused community of developers, IT pros, digital marketers, and technology enthusiasts meeting, networking, learning, and sharing knowledge.