One reason you might want to view hardware settings is if you plan to install any legacy hardware. Legacy hardware is any device not designed for Windows XP plug and play support. If you have a hardware device that is not designed for Windows XP plug and play, it is important to find out current hardware resource settings to avoid conflicts during installation, such as having two devices with the same resource settings. Before you actually place a legacy hardware device in your computer, you should browse through the devices currently attached to your computer system and ensure that your computer has the available resources to install the hardware device. With the Device Manager, you can view the device resources that are being used with your system hardware and determine whether your computer has the available resources to install a legacy or plug and play hardware device. Generally, you cannot install non plug and play hardware without performing some manual setup with the Device Manager. Instead of writing down your computer resource information on paper, you can print a system summary report. View Hardware Settings -
| Click the Start button, and then click Control Panel. | -
| Double-click the System icon in Classic view. | -
| Click the Hardware tab. | -
| Click Device Manager. | -
| Click the View menu, and then click Resources By Type or Resources By Connection. | -
| Click the plus sign (+) next to the resource category you want to expand. | -
| Click the device you want to view. | -
| Click the Properties button on the toolbar. | -
| Use the tabs to view or modify device settings. | -
| Click OK. | -
| Click the Close button, and then click OK. | Print a Resource Summary Report -
| Click the Start button, and then click Control Panel. | -
| Double-click the System icon in Classic view. | -
| Click the Hardware tab, and then click Device Manager. | -
| Click the View menu, and then click Resources By Type or Resources By Connection. | -
| Click the plus sign (+) next to the resource category you want to expand. | -
| Click the device you want to view. | -
| Click the Print button on the toolbar. | -
| Click the report type option you want. | -
| Click Print. | -
| Click the Close button, and then click OK. | For Your Information Understanding Resources When you install a legacy hardware device, the device's instructions might ask you to provide a resource setting. When prompted by the device instructions, provide a resource setting that is not already in use. Direct Memory Access ( DMA ) channel is a communication process in which data is transferred between memory and a hardware device, such as a disk drive. Input/Output (I/O) is a channel through which data is transferred between hardware and the computer processor. Each installed device requires a communication line called an Interrupt Request Line ( IRQ ) , which allows the physical hardware device to communicate with your computer's software. Any IRQ number between 0 and 15 that is not listed is available. Memory address is a portion of memory that can be used by a hardware device or program. Each resource assigned to your device must be unique, or the device will not function properly. Two devices attempting to share a resource create a conflict, and neither device will work properly. | |