3.HARDWARE SETUP

3.7Expansion Cards

WARNING! Unplug your power supply when adding or removing expansion cards or other system components. Failure to do so may cause severe damage to both your motherboard and expansion cards (see 3.3 Hardware Setup Procedure for more information).

3.7.1 Expansion Card Installation Procedure

1.Read the documentation for your expansion card and make any necessary hard- ware or software settings for your expansion card, such as jumpers.

2.Remove your computer system’s cover and the bracket plate on the slot you intend to use. Keep the bracket for possible future use.

3.Carefully align the card’s connectors and press firmly.

4.Secure the card on the slot with the screw you removed above.

5.Replace the computer system’s cover.

6.Set up the BIOS if necessary

(such as IRQ xx Used By ISA: Yes in PNP AND PCI SETUP)

7.Install the necessary software drivers for your expansion card.

3.7.2 Assigning IRQs for Expansion Cards

Some expansion cards need an IRQ to operate. Generally, an IRQ must be exclusively assigned to one use. In a standard design, there are 16 IRQs available but most of them are already in use, leaving 6 IRQs free for expansion cards. If your motherboard has PCI audio onboard, an additional IRQ will be used. If your moth- erboard also has MIDI enabled, another IRQ will be used, leaving 4 IRQs free.

Standard Interrupt Assignments

IRQ

Priority

Standard Function

0

1

System Timer

1

2

Keyboard Controller

2

N/A

Programmable Interrupt

3*

11

Communications Port (COM2)

4*

12

Communications Port (COM1)

5*

13

Sound Card (sometimes LPT2)

6

14

Floppy Disk Controller

7*

15

Printer Port (LPT1)

8

3

System CMOS/Real Time Clock

9*

4

ACPI Mode when enabled

10*

5

IRQ Holder for PCI Steering

11*

6

IRQ Holder for PCI Steering

12*

7

PS/2 Compatible Mouse Port

13

8

Numeric Data Processor

14*

9

Primary IDE Channel

15*

10

Secondary IDE Channel

*These IRQs are usually available for ISA or PCI devices.

Expansion Cards

3. H/W SETUP

ASUS CUSL2 User’s Manual

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