I was given a Dell Computer. OS is windows 2000 Professional. It did not come with a dialup modem. I have tried putting in 2 different dialup modems that are windows 2000 compatible. Each time the computer refuses to boot up stating on a black screen "plug and play configuration error" How do fix this? Thanks in advance for your time and help!

Please post model of the Dell computer you are having an issue with...This will help in the trouble shooting of the problem

Also please post the make/model numbers of the modems. It's a possibility that they're not compatable with Win2K.

Are these external or internal?

Thanks for replying so quickly! The Dell computer is the Optiplex GX110. Thanks.

And the modems?

Have you flashed the bios recently? Current release is A09. Version A08 fixed some PnP problems for the GX110 (back in 2001!)

Thanks! Will attempt after work today. I will let you know how I did!

Tried it last night. However the computer said the disk was a non system disk. Replace and strike any key. Any other suggestions besides getting a new copmuter or going to DSL?

Did you make a boot floppy first? The bios files only work from floppy if you have the disk bootable (you can either from the dos prompt type sys A: or right click on the floppy drive and then format. Select make disk bootable.

If you're flashing the bios, first make sure the new bios is the correct one for your motherboard/bios, and, will satisfy the problem. (And don't do it during a dark and stormy night. ;>) ie, chance of power failures.) Secondly, DO NOT run ANY memory management files from the floppy. The only files you should have on the floppy are command.com, msdos,sys, io.sys, (you don't need drivspace.bin), the flash utility, and the new bios data file. Some motherboards have a flash utility built into the board. Check your motherboard manual to see if you have this, and how to invoke it.

Flash utilities usually give you an option to save the current bios data to the floppy or hard disk. Do so (at least to the floppy) before you flash. If things go wrong, DO NOT power down the system. Rerun the flash to replace the original bios before memory gets blanked from a power down.