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Technical Information
PCI Installation Tips
PCI computers are designed to automatically configure add-in cards each time
the computer starts. Your PCI computer sets the I/O address and IRQ level for
your Intel network adapter when the computer starts. These values cannot be
changed by Intel adapter software. If you experience a problem when the
computer starts, additional configuration steps may be required.
On these computers, manual configuration is possible through the computer’s
PCI BIOS setup utility. Refer to your computer’s documentation. You may
need to verify or change some BIOS settings.
Some common PCI solutions are listed here.
•
Busmaster enabled slots. On some computers, all slots are not
busmaster enabled by default. Check your BIOS PCI bus setting. It will
set to either Busmaster or Non-busmastered. Choose Busmaster.
•
Reserve interrupts (IRQs) and/or memory addresses for ISA
adapters. This prevents PCI cards from trying to use the same settings
ISA cards are using. Check your PCI BIOS setup program. There may be
IRQ options such as ‘Enable for ISA,’ ‘Reserve for ISA,’ or ‘Disable for
PCI.’ This option is sometimes in the Plug and Play area of the BIOS
setup.
•
Enable the PCI slot. In some PCI computers, you must use the PCI
BIOS setup program to enable the PCI slot. This is especially common in
PCI computers with the Phoenix BIOS.
•
Update your PCI BIOS. An updated PCI system BIOS can correct some
PCI configuration problems. Call your computer manufacturer to see if
an updated BIOS version is available for your computer. Phone numbers
for the top PCI computer manufacturers are listed in the PCI Installation
README file on the Intel Configuration and Drivers disk.
•
Configure the slot for level-triggered interrupts. The slot the adapter
is using must be configured for level-triggered interrupts rather than
edge-triggered interrupts. Check your PCI BIOS Setup program.
Here are some example PCI BIOS setup program parameters:
PCI slot #:
Slot where the adapter is installed
Master:
ENABLED
Slave:
ENABLED
Latency timer:
4 0
Interrupt:
Choose an IRQ from the list
Edge-level:
Level
The exact wording of these parameters varies with different computers.
