WAY OT: System IRQ Conflicts

Although this is way off-topic, you guys have a lot of know-how when it come to tweaking PC's, so I hope that someone can help me out with this: After many months of running fine, my Adaptec SCSI 2906 card (to which I have attached my Yamaha CD Burner) is now reported to have IRQ conflicts in the Windows98SE Device Manager. It is reported as using IRQ 11, along with these other devices: ACPI IRQ Holder for PCI IRQ Steering [This is listed 4 times] VIA Tech 3038 PCI to USB Universal Host Controller [This is listed 3 times] Netgear FA311 Fast Ethernet PCI Adaptor ITE 8875 [I have no idea what this is - although it may be the add-on card that holds my LPT2 port] ITE LPT Port (LPT2) Adaptec AIC-7850 PCI SCSI Controller [Note that my SCSI card is a 2906, NOT a 7850] ATI TV Wonder BT Cap, WDM Audio Capture ATI TV Wonder BT Cap, WDM Video Capture Creative SBLive! Value Radeon 9700 Series In Device Manager, under "Properties/General" for the SCSI card the message reads: "This device is using an IRQ resource that is in use by another device and cannot be shared. You must change the conflicting setting or remove the real-mode driver causing the conflict. (Code 30)" However under "Properties/Resources" for the SCSI card, No Conflicts are reported in the "Resources/Conflicting Device List'. I have tried re-installing the driver for the SCSI card, but that didn't change anything. Shouldn't the top 2 items in the above list appear only once? If so, should I remove the "extra" instances of each? My system does not appear to have any free IRQ's, with the possible exception of IRQ 5, for which an unknown device is listed. However the manual for the SCSI card states that it should not use an IRQ below 10 anyway. My system is an Athlon XP2100+, 512 Megs RAM, Motherboard = Epox 8Kha+, Radeon 9700 Pro, running under Win98SE. Any help with getting my SCSI card recognized without causing further system conflicts would be greatly appreciated! TIA! Bert

Although this is way off-topic, you guys have a lot of know-how when it come to tweaking PC's, so I hope that someone can help me out with this: After many months of running fine, my Adaptec SCSI 2906 card (to which I have attached my Yamaha CD Burner) is now reported to have IRQ conflicts in the Windows98SE Device Manager. It is reported as using IRQ 11, along with these other devices: ACPI IRQ Holder for PCI IRQ Steering [This is listed 4 times] VIA Tech 3038 PCI to USB Universal Host Controller [This is listed 3 times] Netgear FA311 Fast Ethernet PCI Adaptor ITE 8875 [I have no idea what this is - although it may be the add-on card that holds my LPT2 port] ITE LPT Port (LPT2) Adaptec AIC-7850 PCI SCSI Controller [Note that my SCSI card is a 2906, NOT a 7850] ATI TV Wonder BT Cap, WDM Audio Capture ATI TV Wonder BT Cap, WDM Video Capture Creative SBLive! Value Radeon 9700 Series In Device Manager, under "Properties/General" for the SCSI card the message reads: "This device is using an IRQ resource that is in use by another device and cannot be shared. You must change the conflicting setting or remove the real-mode driver causing the conflict. (Code 30)" However under "Properties/Resources" for the SCSI card, No Conflicts are reported in the "Resources/Conflicting Device List'. I have tried re-installing the driver for the SCSI card, but that didn't change anything. Shouldn't the top 2 items in the above list appear only once? If so, should I remove the "extra" instances of each? My system does not appear to have any free IRQ's, with the possible exception of IRQ 5, for which an unknown device is listed. However the manual for the SCSI card states that it should not use an IRQ below 10 anyway. My system is an Athlon XP2100+, 512 Megs RAM, Motherboard = Epox 8Kha+, Radeon 9700 Pro, running under Win98SE. Any help with getting my SCSI card recognized without causing further system conflicts would be greatly appreciated! TIA! Bert

BRH, I'm over my head here, but I try to separate IRQs as reported by the BIOS during POST by moving cards around in different slots, before Windows is even installed. (But I have one W9x installation that won't work unless I specify it as a non-PnP system.) In the old days--before things got complicated--the low IRQs were up at the top, near the AGP slot, and slots next to each other usually shared the same IRQ (which is why you didn't want anything like a sound card next to the AGP slot). Nowadays I have to rely on the manual to see which IRQ goes where. Thus, I would move the scuzzy card down near the bottom and pause during POST to see if it's picking up an IRQ above 10. If yer not using the printer port, you can salvage an IRQ port there (typically 7 or 9). Ditto IRQ 12 if yer not using a PS/2 mouse. I believe you can also save 3 & 4 if yer using USB and not either of the two serial ports. Aside from the "reserved" IRQs (floppy=1, keyboard=6, etc.), you should only need 3 IRQs: sound, NIC, and SCSI (typically, 5, 2 or 9, and 11), without having to rely on Windows to manage sharing. As a last resort, you can edit the BIOS to assign IRQs manually...not recommended. I also think you shouldn't see multiple instances of the same device under device manager, but like I say, I'm outta my depth here. --Steve "BRH @attbi.com>" <"bertrh<no-spam> wrote in message news:[email hidden]...

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> Although this is way off-topic, you guys have a lot of know-how when it > come to tweaking PC's, so I hope that someone can help me out with this: > > After many months of running fine, my Adaptec SCSI 2906 card (to which I > have attached my Yamaha CD Burner) is now reported to have IRQ conflicts > in the Windows98SE Device Manager. It is reported as using IRQ 11, > along with these other devices: > > ACPI IRQ Holder for PCI IRQ Steering [This is listed 4 times] > VIA Tech 3038 PCI to USB Universal Host Controller [This is listed 3 > times] > Netgear FA311 Fast Ethernet PCI Adaptor > ITE 8875 [I have no idea what this is - although it may be the add-on > card that holds my LPT2 port] > ITE LPT Port (LPT2) > Adaptec AIC-7850 PCI SCSI Controller [Note that my SCSI card is a 2906, > NOT a 7850] > ATI TV Wonder BT Cap, WDM Audio Capture > ATI TV Wonder BT Cap, WDM Video Capture > Creative SBLive! Value > Radeon 9700 Series > > In Device Manager, under "Properties/General" for the SCSI card the > message reads: "This device is using an IRQ resource that is in use by > another device and cannot be shared. You must change the conflicting > setting or remove the real-mode driver causing the conflict. (Code 30)" > > However under "Properties/Resources" for the SCSI card, No Conflicts are > reported in the "Resources/Conflicting Device List'. I have tried > re-installing the driver for the SCSI card, but that didn't change > anything. > > Shouldn't the top 2 items in the above list appear only once? If so, > should I remove the "extra" instances of each? My system does not > appear to have any free IRQ's, with the possible exception of IRQ 5, for > which an unknown device is listed. However the manual for the SCSI card > states that it should not use an IRQ below 10 anyway. > > My system is an Athlon XP2100+, 512 Megs RAM, Motherboard = Epox 8Kha+, > Radeon 9700 Pro, running under Win98SE. > > Any help with getting my SCSI card recognized without causing further > system conflicts would be greatly appreciated! > > TIA! > > Bert > > > >

Thans for the reply and yout thoughts on this, Steve. I am using the PS/2 port for my mouse, so that IRQ isn't an option right now. However it is a USB mouse (MS Intellimouse Explorer), for which I'm using a USB/IRQ converter -- If I go straight USB for the mouse, I guess that would then free up IRQ 12 , right? And all of my slots, except for one, are already used up. I have a few questions about some of things that you mentioned. First, I have always run my PC with the BIOS set at non-PnP OS, using Win98SE. I don't know why, but somewhere down the line I heard that's the way to go. You seem to be saying the opposite -- that I should set it FOR PnP. Is that how your systems have always been set? Also, when and where does the BIOS report the IRQ assignmenst during POST, and how do I stop the screen in order to read them? Thanks! Bert Steve Smith wrote:

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> BRH, > > I'm over my head here, but I try to separate IRQs as reported by the BIOS > during POST by moving cards around in different slots, before Windows is > even installed. (But I have one W9x installation that won't work unless I > specify it as a non-PnP system.) In the old days--before things got > complicated--the low IRQs were up at the top, near the AGP slot, and slots > next to each other usually shared the same IRQ (which is why you didn't want > anything like a sound card next to the AGP slot). Nowadays I have to rely > on the manual to see which IRQ goes where. > > Thus, I would move the scuzzy card down near the bottom and pause during > POST to see if it's picking up an IRQ above 10. If yer not using the > printer port, you can salvage an IRQ port there (typically 7 or 9). Ditto > IRQ 12 if yer not using a PS/2 mouse. I believe you can also save 3 & 4 if > yer using USB and not either of the two serial ports. Aside from the > "reserved" IRQs (floppy=1, keyboard=6, etc.), you should only need 3 IRQs: > sound, NIC, and SCSI (typically, 5, 2 or 9, and 11), without having to rely > on Windows to manage sharing. > > As a last resort, you can edit the BIOS to assign IRQs manually...not > recommended. > > I also think you shouldn't see multiple instances of the same device under > device manager, but like I say, I'm outta my depth here. > > --Steve > > "BRH @attbi.com>" <"bertrh<no-spam> wrote in message > news:[email hidden]... > > Although this is way off-topic, you guys have a lot of know-how when it > > come to tweaking PC's, so I hope that someone can help me out with this: > > > > After many months of running fine, my Adaptec SCSI 2906 card (to which I > > have attached my Yamaha CD Burner) is now reported to have IRQ conflicts > > in the Windows98SE Device Manager. It is reported as using IRQ 11, > > along with these other devices: > > > > ACPI IRQ Holder for PCI IRQ Steering [This is listed 4 times] > > VIA Tech 3038 PCI to USB Universal Host Controller [This is listed 3 > > times] > > Netgear FA311 Fast Ethernet PCI Adaptor > > ITE 8875 [I have no idea what this is - although it may be the add-on > > card that holds my LPT2 port] > > ITE LPT Port (LPT2) > > Adaptec AIC-7850 PCI SCSI Controller [Note that my SCSI card is a 2906, > > NOT a 7850] > > ATI TV Wonder BT Cap, WDM Audio Capture > > ATI TV Wonder BT Cap, WDM Video Capture > > Creative SBLive! Value > > Radeon 9700 Series > > > > In Device Manager, under "Properties/General" for the SCSI card the > > message reads: "This device is using an IRQ resource that is in use by > > another device and cannot be shared. You must change the conflicting > > setting or remove the real-mode driver causing the conflict. (Code 30)" > > > > However under "Properties/Resources" for the SCSI card, No Conflicts are > > reported in the "Resources/Conflicting Device List'. I have tried > > re-installing the driver for the SCSI card, but that didn't change > > anything. > > > > Shouldn't the top 2 items in the above list appear only once? If so, > > should I remove the "extra" instances of each? My system does not > > appear to have any free IRQ's, with the possible exception of IRQ 5, for > > which an unknown device is listed. However the manual for the SCSI card > > states that it should not use an IRQ below 10 anyway. > > > > My system is an Athlon XP2100+, 512 Megs RAM, Motherboard = Epox 8Kha+, > > Radeon 9700 Pro, running under Win98SE. > > > > Any help with getting my SCSI card recognized without causing further > > system conflicts would be greatly appreciated! > > > > TIA! > > > > Bert > > > > > > > >

Thans for the reply and yout thoughts on this, Steve. I am using the PS/2 port for my mouse, so that IRQ isn't an option right now. However it is a USB mouse (MS Intellimouse Explorer), for which I'm using a USB/IRQ converter -- If I go straight USB for the mouse, I guess that would then free up IRQ 12 , right? And all of my slots, except for one, are already used up. I have a few questions about some of things that you mentioned. First, I have always run my PC with the BIOS set at non-PnP OS, using Win98SE. I don't know why, but somewhere down the line I heard that's the way to go. You seem to be saying the opposite -- that I should set it FOR PnP. Is that how your systems have always been set? Also, when and where does the BIOS report the IRQ assignmenst during POST, and how do I stop the screen in order to read them? Thanks! Bert

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> BRH, > I'm over my head here, but I try to separate IRQs as reported by the BIOS > during POST by moving cards around in different slots, before Windows is > even installed. (But I have one W9x installation that won't work unless I > specify it as a non-PnP system.) In the old days--before things got > complicated--the low IRQs were up at the top, near the AGP slot, and slots > next to each other usually shared the same IRQ (which is why you didn't want > anything like a sound card next to the AGP slot). Nowadays I have to rely > on the manual to see which IRQ goes where. > Thus, I would move the scuzzy card down near the bottom and pause during > POST to see if it's picking up an IRQ above 10. If yer not using the > printer port, you can salvage an IRQ port there (typically 7 or 9). Ditto > IRQ 12 if yer not using a PS/2 mouse. I believe you can also save 3 & 4 if > yer using USB and not either of the two serial ports. Aside from the > "reserved" IRQs (floppy=1, keyboard=6, etc.), you should only need 3 IRQs: > sound, NIC, and SCSI (typically, 5, 2 or 9, and 11), without having to rely > on Windows to manage sharing. > As a last resort, you can edit the BIOS to assign IRQs manually...not > recommended. > I also think you shouldn't see multiple instances of the same device under > device manager, but like I say, I'm outta my depth here. > --Steve > > Although this is way off-topic, you guys have a lot of know-how when it > > come to tweaking PC's, so I hope that someone can help me out with this: > > After many months of running fine, my Adaptec SCSI 2906 card (to which I > > have attached my Yamaha CD Burner) is now reported to have IRQ conflicts > > in the Windows98SE Device Manager. It is reported as using IRQ 11, > > along with these other devices: > > ACPI IRQ Holder for PCI IRQ Steering [This is listed 4 times] > > VIA Tech 3038 PCI to USB Universal Host Controller [This is listed 3 > > times] > > Netgear FA311 Fast Ethernet PCI Adaptor > > ITE 8875 [I have no idea what this is - although it may be the add-on > > card that holds my LPT2 port] > > ITE LPT Port (LPT2) > > Adaptec AIC-7850 PCI SCSI Controller [Note that my SCSI card is a 2906, > > NOT a 7850] > > ATI TV Wonder BT Cap, WDM Audio Capture > > ATI TV Wonder BT Cap, WDM Video Capture > > Creative SBLive! Value > > Radeon 9700 Series > > In Device Manager, under "Properties/General" for the SCSI card the > > message reads: "This device is using an IRQ resource that is in use by > > another device and cannot be shared. You must change the conflicting > > setting or remove the real-mode driver causing the conflict. (Code 30)" > > However under "Properties/Resources" for the SCSI card, No Conflicts are > > reported in the "Resources/Conflicting Device List'. I have tried > > re-installing the driver for the SCSI card, but that didn't change > > anything. > > Shouldn't the top 2 items in the above list appear only once? If so, > > should I remove the "extra" instances of each? My system does not > > appear to have any free IRQ's, with the possible exception of IRQ 5, for > > which an unknown device is listed. However the manual for the SCSI card > > states that it should not use an IRQ below 10 anyway. > > My system is an Athlon XP2100+, 512 Megs RAM, Motherboard = Epox 8Kha+, > > Radeon 9700 Pro, running under Win98SE. > > Any help with getting my SCSI card recognized without causing further > > system conflicts would be greatly appreciated! > > TIA! > > Bert

>First, I have > always run my PC with the BIOS set at non-PnP OS, using Win98SE. This is the problem. Enable pnp and the problem will most likely go away, tho you may need to delete the conflicting devices from device manager and let them get redetected. Its possible to run without ACPI by disabling it and playing musical pci cards, but its mostly not worth the trouble. The one exception is the soundcard IRQ, the DOS IRQ for which I take pains to make sure winds up on IRQ5, for use with older games. BTW go get the latest VIA motherboard drivers from www.viaarena.com rms [email hidden]

Thanks for the reply, Roger. I've thought of trying this, but my concern is that it might cause other conflicts. How reliable is simply letting Win98SE's PnP detect all devices by setting this to ENABLED? And, if I do go down this road, and it causes more problems than it solves, what's the easiest way to revert things back to the way they are now? Thanks! Bert Roger Squires wrote:

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> >First, I have > > always run my PC with the BIOS set at non-PnP OS, using Win98SE. > > This is the problem. Enable pnp and the problem will most likely go > away, tho you may need to delete the conflicting devices from device manager > and let them get redetected. Its possible to run without ACPI by disabling > it and playing musical pci cards, but its mostly not worth the trouble. The > one exception is the soundcard IRQ, the DOS IRQ for which I take pains to > make sure winds up on IRQ5, for use with older games. BTW go get the latest > VIA motherboard drivers from www.viaarena.com > > rms > [email hidden]

Thanks for the reply, Roger. I've thought of trying this, but my concern is that it might cause other conflicts. How reliable is simply letting Win98SE's PnP detect all devices by setting this to ENABLED? And, if I do go down this road, and it causes more problems than it solves, what's the easiest way to revert things back to the way they are now? Thanks! Bert

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> >First, I have > > always run my PC with the BIOS set at non-PnP OS, using Win98SE. > This is the problem. Enable pnp and the problem will most likely go > away, tho you may need to delete the conflicting devices from device manager > and let them get redetected. Its possible to run without ACPI by disabling > it and playing musical pci cards, but its mostly not worth the trouble. The > one exception is the soundcard IRQ, the DOS IRQ for which I take pains to > make sure winds up on IRQ5, for use with older games. BTW go get the latest > VIA motherboard drivers from www.viaarena.com > rms

Bert, Letting Windows manage the IRQs is the easy way, because Win arbitrates between IRQ conflicts, so two peripherals can share the same IRQ. There *are* exceptions: obviously, yer Adaptec SCSI device wants a dedicated IRQ higher than 10. And what Roger sez may be true with some sound cards (particularly older Sound Blasters; I'm not sure the newer CL products are so picky) that cause trouble with anything but 5. (I guess w. Linux or Lycoris or something, you might have to specify each & every IRQ...and make sure none are shared.) If you do go down that road, it might be trouble in the short run - I'm not sure you can go back. As I say, I have one 'puta that I inadvertantly installed w. PnP shut off, and now it won't boot w. it on. You should at least be able to backtrack in the BIOS...if the switch hasn't thrown Windows for a loop. (At least back up the Registry.) My advice would be to switch the BIOS to PnP enabled (plus reserving a high IRQ for whatever yer scuzzy card is in) and do a complete reinstall of Windows (something that should be done at least once a year anyway, IMO). However, I feel like the blind leading the blind here. My ignorance in this area is VAST. I wish somebody who actually KNOWS something would step in NOW and set us straight! --Steve "BRH @attbi.com>" <"bertrh<no-spam> wrote in message news:[email hidden]... > Thanks for the reply, Roger. > > I've thought of trying this, but my concern is that it might cause other > conflicts. How reliable is simply letting Win98SE's PnP detect alldevices by > setting this to ENABLED? And, if I do go down this road, and it causesmore > problems than it solves, what's the easiest way to revert things back tothe way

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> they are now? > > Thanks! > > Bert > > > > > Roger Squires wrote: > > > >First, I have > > > always run my PC with the BIOS set at non-PnP OS, using Win98SE. > > > > This is the problem. Enable pnp and the problem will most likely go > > away, tho you may need to delete the conflicting devices from device

manager > > and let them get redetected. Its possible to run without ACPI bydisabling > > it and playing musical pci cards, but its mostly not worth the trouble.The > > one exception is the soundcard IRQ, the DOS IRQ for which I take painsto > > make sure winds up on IRQ5, for use with older games. BTW go get thelatest > > VIA motherboard drivers from www.viaarena.com > > > > rms > > [email hidden] >

If I do let Windows set the IRQ's , by switching the BIOS settting for PnP OS to ENABLED, how do I reserve a specific IRQ for exclusive use by the SCSI card? Steve Smith wrote:

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> Bert, > > Letting Windows manage the IRQs is the easy way, because Win arbitrates > between IRQ conflicts, so two peripherals can share the same IRQ. There > *are* exceptions: obviously, yer Adaptec SCSI device wants a dedicated IRQ > higher than 10. And what Roger sez may be true with some sound cards > (particularly older Sound Blasters; I'm not sure the newer CL products are > so picky) that cause trouble with anything but 5. (I guess w. Linux or > Lycoris or something, you might have to specify each & every IRQ...and make > sure none are shared.) > > If you do go down that road, it might be trouble in the short run - I'm not > sure you can go back. As I say, I have one 'puta that I inadvertantly > installed w. PnP shut off, and now it won't boot w. it on. You should at > least be able to backtrack in the BIOS...if the switch hasn't thrown Windows > for a loop. (At least back up the Registry.) > > My advice would be to switch the BIOS to PnP enabled (plus reserving a high > IRQ for whatever yer scuzzy card is in) and do a complete reinstall of > Windows (something that should be done at least once a year anyway, IMO). > > However, I feel like the blind leading the blind here. My ignorance in this > area is VAST. I wish somebody who actually KNOWS something would step in > NOW and set us straight! > > --Steve > > "BRH @attbi.com>" <"bertrh<no-spam> wrote in message > news:[email hidden]... > > Thanks for the reply, Roger. > > > > I've thought of trying this, but my concern is that it might cause other > > conflicts. How reliable is simply letting Win98SE's PnP detect all > devices by > > setting this to ENABLED? And, if I do go down this road, and it causes > more > > problems than it solves, what's the easiest way to revert things back to > the way > > they are now? > > > > Thanks! > > > > Bert > > > > > > > > > > Roger Squires wrote: > > > > > >First, I have > > > > always run my PC with the BIOS set at non-PnP OS, using Win98SE. > > > > > > This is the problem. Enable pnp and the problem will most likely go > > > away, tho you may need to delete the conflicting devices from device > manager > > > and let them get redetected. Its possible to run without ACPI by > disabling > > > it and playing musical pci cards, but its mostly not worth the trouble. > The > > > one exception is the soundcard IRQ, the DOS IRQ for which I take pains > to > > > make sure winds up on IRQ5, for use with older games. BTW go get the > latest > > > VIA motherboard drivers from www.viaarena.com > > > > > > rms > > > [email hidden] > >

If I do let Windows set the IRQ's , by switching the BIOS settting for PnP OS to ENABLED, how do I reserve a specific IRQ for exclusive use by the SCSI card?

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> Bert, > Letting Windows manage the IRQs is the easy way, because Win arbitrates > between IRQ conflicts, so two peripherals can share the same IRQ. There > *are* exceptions: obviously, yer Adaptec SCSI device wants a dedicated IRQ > higher than 10. And what Roger sez may be true with some sound cards > (particularly older Sound Blasters; I'm not sure the newer CL products are > so picky) that cause trouble with anything but 5. (I guess w. Linux or > Lycoris or something, you might have to specify each & every IRQ...and make > sure none are shared.) > If you do go down that road, it might be trouble in the short run - I'm not > sure you can go back. As I say, I have one 'puta that I inadvertantly > installed w. PnP shut off, and now it won't boot w. it on. You should at > least be able to backtrack in the BIOS...if the switch hasn't thrown Windows > for a loop. (At least back up the Registry.) > My advice would be to switch the BIOS to PnP enabled (plus reserving a high > IRQ for whatever yer scuzzy card is in) and do a complete reinstall of > Windows (something that should be done at least once a year anyway, IMO). > However, I feel like the blind leading the blind here. My ignorance in this > area is VAST. I wish somebody who actually KNOWS something would step in > NOW and set us straight! > --Steve > > Thanks for the reply, Roger. > > I've thought of trying this, but my concern is that it might cause other > > conflicts. How reliable is simply letting Win98SE's PnP detect all > devices by > > setting this to ENABLED? And, if I do go down this road, and it causes > more > > problems than it solves, what's the easiest way to revert things back to > the way > > they are now? > > Thanks! > > Bert > > > >First, I have > > > > always run my PC with the BIOS set at non-PnP OS, using Win98SE. > > > This is the problem. Enable pnp and the problem will most likely go > > > away, tho you may need to delete the conflicting devices from device > manager > > > and let them get redetected. Its possible to run without ACPI by > disabling > > > it and playing musical pci cards, but its mostly not worth the trouble. > The > > > one exception is the soundcard IRQ, the DOS IRQ for which I take pains > to > > > make sure winds up on IRQ5, for use with older games. BTW go get the > latest > > > VIA motherboard drivers from www.viaarena.com > > > rms

In the BIOS. Just reserve the one you need and let Window handle the rest. "BRH @attbi.com>" <"bertrh<no-spam> wrote in message news:[email hidden]... > If I do let Windows set the IRQ's , by switching the BIOS settting for PnPOS to > ENABLED, how do I reserve a specific IRQ for exclusive use by the SCSIcard?

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> > > > Steve Smith wrote: > > > Bert, > > > > Letting Windows manage the IRQs is the easy way, because Win arbitrates > > between IRQ conflicts, so two peripherals can share the same IRQ. There > > *are* exceptions: obviously, yer Adaptec SCSI device wants a dedicated

IRQ > > higher than 10. And what Roger sez may be true with some sound cards > > (particularly older Sound Blasters; I'm not sure the newer CL productsare > > so picky) that cause trouble with anything but 5. (I guess w. Linux or > > Lycoris or something, you might have to specify each & every IRQ...andmake > > sure none are shared.) > > > > If you do go down that road, it might be trouble in the short run - I'mnot > > sure you can go back. As I say, I have one 'puta that I inadvertantly > > installed w. PnP shut off, and now it won't boot w. it on. You shouldat > > least be able to backtrack in the BIOS...if the switch hasn't thrownWindows > > for a loop. (At least back up the Registry.) > > > > My advice would be to switch the BIOS to PnP enabled (plus reserving ahigh > > IRQ for whatever yer scuzzy card is in) and do a complete reinstall of > > Windows (something that should be done at least once a year anyway,IMO). > > > > However, I feel like the blind leading the blind here. My ignorance inthis > > area is VAST. I wish somebody who actually KNOWS something would stepin

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> > NOW and set us straight! > > > > --Steve > > > > "BRH @attbi.com>" <"bertrh<no-spam> wrote in message > > news:[email hidden]... > > > Thanks for the reply, Roger. > > > > > > I've thought of trying this, but my concern is that it might cause

other > > > conflicts. How reliable is simply letting Win98SE's PnP detect all > > devices by > > > setting this to ENABLED? And, if I do go down this road, and itcauses > > more > > > problems than it solves, what's the easiest way to revert things backto

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> > the way > > > they are now? > > > > > > Thanks! > > > > > > Bert > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Roger Squires wrote: > > > > > > > >First, I have > > > > > always run my PC with the BIOS set at non-PnP OS, using Win98SE. > > > > > > > > This is the problem. Enable pnp and the problem will most

likely go > > > > away, tho you may need to delete the conflicting devices from device > > manager > > > > and let them get redetected. Its possible to run without ACPI by > > disabling > > > > it and playing musical pci cards, but its mostly not worth thetrouble. > > The > > > > one exception is the soundcard IRQ, the DOS IRQ for which I takepains

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> > to > > > > make sure winds up on IRQ5, for use with older games. BTW go get the > > latest > > > > VIA motherboard drivers from www.viaarena.com > > > > > > > > rms > > > > [email hidden] > > > >