IRQ Conflict

[BHob]

I posted a question on here earlier this week and got
some genuinely helpful responses, so I thought I'd try it
again.
After going through 5 different Dell technicians, I
finally figured out my own problem. My original problem
was my computer completely freezing up at random points.
I reluctantly agreed with Dell (as a last resort before
sending my laptop in) to re-install XP. I did and while
I was putting my computer back together (software,
hardware, etc), I think I stumbled across the solution to
my problem. When I installed my wireless PCMCIA card,
about one minute later, it froze up again. I repeated
the process and my computer only freezes with my wireless
card installed and working. SO... I checked my IRQ
settings in XP and discovered that my wireless card, my
video card, and my USB ports are all on the same IRQ
setting. I concluded that my wireless card is more than
likely conflicting with my video card causing my
problems. I have discovered that it is very difficult to
change the IRQ manually in XP due to the ACPI support
feature. I've tried to disable the ACPI support, but
still could not change the IRQ manually. I also checked
my BIOS and couldn't find an option to manually set an
IRQ. ANY THOUGHTS??? I would like to be able to use my
wireless card that I bought, but if it freezes my
computer everytime, maybe I shouldn't. Does anybody know
how (or even if it is possible) to manually assign an
IRQ?? THANKS!!

 

[Steve C. Ray]

I don't think the IRQ sharing is your problem. This is standard procedure
with XP. One of my computers has nine devices on the same IRQ with no
problem. This sounds like a driver problem, probably with the wireless card.

 

[Jack]

I have the same question although a different problem.

The problem deals with a Creative Lab Extigy external soundcard connected
via USB and passing midi information from a midi keyboard to the midi input
on the soundcard and finally to sequencing software. The problem exists
with different midi keyboards and different sequencing software with the
only fixed element being the soundcard.

Both the Creative Lab and Cakewalk tech people state that the soundcard must
NOT share an IRQ. However, XP allocates the same IRQ to the soundcard and
Ethernet NIC even though I have two unused IRQs

Is it possible to manually reassign the soundcard to one of the unused IRQs?
Or, if this is a "standard procedure" of XP, how do I get XP to use vacant
ports before sharing?

 

[Jack]

Sorry, I should have searched microsoft.com first.

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;314068&Product=winxp

"If you change to an invalid IRQ setting or I/O range for the bus that a
device is on, Windows XP cannot compensate by rebalancing the resource that
was assigned to that bus."

The article mentions that such a change is handled via a change in BIOS and
that making such a change with require an XP re-install. Who knows what
else may be affected by such a change.

Looks like I'm stuck until I either change soundcards or Creative Labs
writes new drivers.