184
If Something Goes Wrong
Resolving a hardware conflict
Resolving a hardware conflict
If you receive an error message telling you there is a device driver
conflict or a general hardware problem, try using Windows
®
Help
and Support to troubleshoot the problem first.
For help on hardware conflicts:
1
Click Start, then click
Help and Support
.
2
Click the
Hardware
link in the window’s left pane.
A list of category links appear.
3
Click the
Fixing a hardware problem
link.
4
Choose from specific topics and follow the steps.
If there is still a problem, the operating system should display a
message that explains what the conflict is.
A plan of action
The smooth operation of the system depends on the interaction of
all devices, programs, and features. If the system or one of its
attached devices is not working, resolving the problem can be time-
consuming and frustrating.
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 disk 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
The channel to the CPU is called an Interrupt Request (IRQ)
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.
This causes a hardware conflict.
