Using the Eisa Configuration Utility

Chapter 5

The EISA Configuration Utility is used to tell the sys- tem what expansion cards are installed and which expansion slots they occupy. With this information, the system automatically configures Extended Industry- Standard Architecture (EISA) cards and can tell you how to configure Industry-Standard Architecture (ISA) cards manually by setting jumpers or switches. Before your system was shipped from Dell, a technician used the EISA Configuration Utility to enter the correct informa- tion for the expansion cards initially installed in your computer.

The EISA Configuration Utility also monitors the resources required by any installed Peripheral Compo- nent Interconnect (PCI) expansion card. After installing or moving a PCI expansion card, you should run the EISA Configuration Utility to update the system’s data- base of available system resources stored in nonvolatile random-access memory (NVRAM).

within the card, so no additional .cfg file is required. You should run the EISA Configuration Utility after installing or moving a PCI expansion card to keep the system’s database of available resources accurate.

If the EISA Configuration Utility is not aware of an installed ISA or EISA expansion card, resource conflicts can arise. For this reason, it is extremely important to enter information about ISA expansion cards, as well as EISA expansion cards, into the EISA Configuration Util- ity. In addition, certain ISA graphics adapter cards and multiport serial cards require some memory or caching reconfiguration provided by the EISA Configuration Utility.

NOTE: The System Setup program allows you to change the interrupt requests (IRQs) for the serial and parallel ports to maximize system performance. See “Advanced Menu Categories” in Chapter 4 for instructions.

Configuring EISA, ISA, and PCI Expansion Cards

Whenever you add, remove, or reposition an EISA or ISA expansion card, use the EISA Configuration Utility to reconfigure your system. The utility reads the card’s corresponding configuration file (.cfg file), which describes the card’s characteristics and required system resources, and then uses this information to create a con- flict-free configuration. (You can also use the EISA Configuration Utility to set certain system operating parameters known as system board options, as well as to correct the system configuration information.)

The EISA Configuration Utility is PCI aware and can also be used to configure PCI expansion cards. Configu- ration information for PCI expansion cards is contained

System Board Options

In addition to configuring expansion cards, you can use the EISA Configuration Utility to change certain system board options, as described in “Step 3: View or Edit Details” found later in this chapter.

Many of the system board options in the EISA Configu- ration Utility correspond to categories in the System Setup program. Although the two utilities are separate, the EISA Configuration Utility automatically forwards changes to, and reads changes from, the System Setup program. Thus, for configuration options that appear in both utilities, you can set the options through either utility.

NOTE: In most cases, your system operates according to the most recent changes, regardless of which utility you use to make the changes. However, some software written

Using the EISA Configuration Utility

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2100/180, 2100/200 specifications

The Dell 2100/200 and Dell 2100/180 are innovative offerings from Dell that cater to the demands of a variety of users, ranging from small businesses to larger enterprises. Both models are designed to deliver high performance and reliability, making them indispensable tools in the modern computing environment.

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Overall, the Dell 2100/200 and Dell 2100/180 serve as powerful and reliable machines that combine advanced technologies and user-centric designs. Whether for business or personal use, these models provide a solid foundation for effective computing, ensuring that users can achieve their goals efficiently and effectively.