Dell 610 Parallel Port Mode, IDE Drive Interface, Diskette Interface, PC Speaker, Video DAC Snoop

NOTE: Do not set Parallel Port to 278h if you have an Extended Capabilities Port (ECP) device connected to the port.

Parallel Port Mode

Parallel Port Mode controls whether the system's built-in parallel port acts as an AT-compatible (unidirectional) or PS/2-compatible (bidirectional) port.

Set this option according to the type of peripheral device connected to the parallel port. To determine the correct mode to use, see the documentation that came with the device.

IDE Drive Interface

IDE Drive Interface enables or disables the system's built-in EIDE hard-disk drive interface.

With Auto (the default) selected, the system turns off the built-in EIDE interface when necessary to accommodate a controller card installed in an expansion slot.

As part of the boot routine, the system first checks for a primary hard-disk drive controller card installed in an expansion slot. If no card is found, the system enables the built-in EIDE interface to use IRQ14 and IRQ15.

If the system detects a primary controller on the expansion bus, it disables the built-in EIDE interface.

Selecting Off disables the built-in EIDE interface.

Diskette Interface

Diskette Interface controls the operation of the system's built-in diskette drive controller.

With Auto (the default) selected, the system turns off the built-in diskette drive controller when necessary to accommodate a controller card installed in an expansion slot.

With Write Protect selected, nothing can be written to diskette drives and tape drives using the system's built-in diskette drive controller. (The system can still read from the drives.) The Auto option (whereby the system turns off the built-in diskette drive controller as necessary) is also in effect.

Selecting Off turns off the built-in diskette/tape drive controller; this option is used primarily for troubleshooting purposes.

PC Speaker

PC Speaker determines whether system sounds (other than beep codes) are emitted by the on-board speaker. A change takes effect immediately (rebooting the system is not required).

However, even with PC Speaker set to Off, sounds from the integrated audio controller will be emitted by the on-board speaker. To disable the on-board speaker completely, follow these steps:

1.Start the Windows NT operating system.

2.Double-click the speaker icon in the right corner of the task bar.

3.From the Master Out panel, select Advanced Controls from the Options menu.

4.Click Advanced under the Master Out column.

5.Click the PC Speaker Mute check box.

Video DAC Snoop

Video DAC Snoop lets you correct video problems that may occur when certain video expansion cards are used. The default is Off. If you are using a video card and problems such as incorrect colors or blank windows occur, set Video DAC Snoop to On.