2.6.2 Configuring an expansion card

After physically installing the expansion card, configure the card by adjusting the software settings.

1.Turn on the system and change the necessary BIOS settings, if any. See Chapter 4 for information on BIOS setup.

2.Assign an IRQ to the card. Refer to the tables below.

3.Install the software drivers for the expansion card.

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 used

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.

IRQ assignments for this motherboard

 

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

PCI slot 1

—

—

—

—

—

shared

—

—

 

PCI slot 2

—

—

—

—

—

—

 

shared

—

PCI slot 3

—

—

shared

—

—

—

—

—

 

Onboard USB controller HC0

—

—

—

shared

—

—

—

—

 

Onboard USB controller HC1

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

shared

 

AGP

shared

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

 

Onboard Audio

—

shared

—

—

—

—

—

—

 

Onboard LAN

—

—

—

— shared

—

—

—

 

When using PCI cards on shared slots, ensure that the drivers support “Share IRQ” or that the cards do not need IRQ assignments. Otherwise, conflicts will arise between the two PCI groups, making the system unstable and the card inoperable.

2-14

Chapter 2: Hardware information