Motherboard BIOS and Setup Utility
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3.5 PCI Auto-configuration
The PCI auto-configuration utility operates in conjunction with the system Setup utility to allow
the insertion and removal of PCI cards to the system without user intervention (Plug and Play).
When the system is turned on after adding a PCI add-in card, the BIOS automatically configures
interrupts, I/O space, and other parameters. PCI interrupts are distributed to available ISA
interrupts that have been not been assigned to an ISA card, or system resources. Those interrupts
left set to “available” in the CMOS setup will be considered free for PCI add-in card use. It is
nondeterministic as to which PCI interrupt will be assigned to which ISA IRQ.
The PCI Auto-Configuration function complies with version 2.10 of the PCI BIOS specification.
System configuration information is stored in ESCD format. The ESCD data may be cleared by
setting the CMOS clear jumper to the ON position.
PCI specification 2.1 for add-in card auto-configuration is also a part of the Plug and Play BIOS.
Peer-to-peer hierarchical PCI Bridge 1.0 is supported, and by using an OEM supplied option ROM
or TSR, a PCI-to-PCMCIA bridge capability is possible as well.
3.6 ISA Plug and Play
The BIOS incorporates ISA Plug and Play capabilities as delivered by Plug and Play Release 1.0A
(Plug and Play BIOS V.. 1.0A, ESCD V.. 1.03). When used in conjunction with the ISA
Configuration Utility (ICU) for DOS or Windows 3.x, the system allows auto-configuration of
Plug and Play ISA cards, PCI cards, and resource management for legacy ISA cards. Because the
BIOS supports configuring devices across PCI bridges, release 1.41 or greater of the ICU must be
used with the motherboard to properly view and change system settings. System configuration
information is stored in ESCD format. The ESCD data may be cleared by setting the CMOS clear
jumper to the ON position.
The BIOS also has a setup option to support the Windows 95 run time Plug and Play utilities.
When this option is selected, only devices critical to booting are assigned resources by the BIOS.
Device Node information is available for all devices to ensure compatibility with Windows 95.
Copies of the IAL Plug and Play specification may be obtained via the Intel BBS , or via
CompuServe† by typing Go PlugPlay.