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SYSTEM EXPANSION
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Configuring the card
Part of the installation procedure for many expansion cards involves
setting up or configuring the card so it works correctly in the
system. To configure, you assign values to various settings on the
card, which enable the card to communicate with the computer. The
chosen settings MUST be registered in the BIOS see appendix C
‘System BIOS and set-up’ and the section ‘ISA Legacy resources’.
Many cards require that you specify at least two of the following ;
• Interrupt request level (IRQ)
• Direct memory access (DMA) channel
• Base input/output (I/O) port address
• Base memory address
The important thing to understand is that the settings used by the
card must be different to existing hardware in the computer. That is
the settings must not conflict with other cards or a component on
the motherboard.
Some settings are done by jumpers and/or switches on the card and
are best done before installation, others are configured by running
installation software after the card has been fitted inside the
computer. Some cards use a mixture of both methods.
The documentation accompanying the card should tell you what is
required. Remember to check any diskettes supplied with the card
for README or other help files, before you start. If you are in any
doubt consult the supplier or manufacturer.
Cards often come with pre-configured or default settings. It is best
to rely on these settings as much as possible, and change them only
if they conflict with other devices.