Toshiba Equium 3100 M - Manual (Page 45)

If Windows has started properly, but you still have a problem using the computer, Windows Help
can assist you in troubleshooting the problem.
1. Click the Start button and click Help.
2. Click the Contents tab and double- click Troubleshooting.
3. Double- click the problem with which you would like help, and follow the steps on the screen.
Resolving a hardware conflict
If you receive an error message telling you there is a device driver conflict or a general hardware
problem, try to use Window's Help to troubleshoot the problem first.
1. From the Windows Help menu, click the Contents tab and select Troubleshooting.
2. Click If you have a hardware conflict and follow the steps.
If there is still a problem, Windows should display a message that explains the conflict.
A plan of action
The recommended procedure for getting multiple devices to work together is to add and set up
one device at a time. After you add each device, test it to make sure it and all previously
connected devices work.
The device most recently connected to the system is the one most likely to be causing a hardware
conflict.
Resolving hardware conflicts on your own
Computer components need resources to accomplish a task. A device, such as a CD-ROM drive
or a modem, needs a channel to the computer's central processing unit (CPU). It also needs
a direct channel to the computer's memory to store information as it works. These channels of
communication are commonly referred to as system resources.
Interrupt request channel
An interrupt request (IRQ) is the channel to the CPU because it interrupts what the processor is
doing and requests some of the processor's time. If two or more devices use the same IRQ, the
processor does not know which device is asking for attention.
Direct Memory Access
Similarly, the data required by the device are stored in a specific place or address in memory
called the Direct Memory Access (DMA). The DMA provides a dedicated channel for adapter
cards to bypass the microprocessor and access memory directly. If two or more devices use the
same DMA, the data required by one device overwrite the data required by the other. If this
occurs, you have a hardware conflict.
Plug and Play
Windows NT does not support this mode at this time.
When supported, Plug and Play prevents hardware conflicts. Plug and Play is a computer standard
that helps the system BIOS and the operating system to automatically assign system resources
to Plug and Play-
compliant devices. In theory, if every device connected to the computer is Plug
and Play- compliant, no two devices will compete for the same system resources. You simply plug
in the device and turn on the computer. Windows automatically sets up your system
to accommodate the new device.
However, if you install an older (legacy) device that Windows cannot recognise, Windows may
have difficulty assigning system resources to it. As a result, a hardware conflict can occur. To see