At 07:04 AM 3/27/98 -0800, you wrote:
>About a month ago I read an article about a serious lack of resources on
>new motherboards.  In many cases computer systems were being purchased
>that were unable to support any upgrades whatosever.
>
>This issue recently hit home with me when I decided to replace my
>existing motherboard to a IWILL P55XB2 (Intel 430 TX Chipset).  I
>installed all of the standard stuff (i.e.; sound and modem) with no
>problem.  Then I tried to install a second LPT port (there is one on the
>board).  I was surprised to learn that there were to IRQ's available to
>support any other device.
>
>My question is 1) has anyone else encountered these type of problems 2)
>Is there a work around, and 3) Can someone recommend a MB for the person
>who likes to tack on alot of stuff to his computer.
>
>Marc Axelrod
>

I just recently installed a second printer (I/0 ISA card) port on my i430TX
based motherboard and this is how it went.

Windows '95 (OSR2) did NOT auto-detect the card, so I did a "Add New
Hardware" and specified PORTS. I did not let windows detect the new
hardware. After re-booting, I checked in the System Properties - Device
Manager and noticed that the new LPT2 port had an exclamation point beside
it. I deleted the LPT2 Port entry in the Device Manager and re-booted.
Then, went to "Add New Hardware" and this time I let Windows '95 detect ALL
new hardware. Then the new LPT2 port appeared without any exclamation point.

But, I noticed that when in DOS, MSD reports that my LPT2 is set on IRQ5.
However, in windows '95, in Device Manager, there is NO IRQ assignment for
my LPT2 port, and IRQ5 is occupied by the SOund Blaster card. No IRQ for my
LPT2 port in Win95??? I don't know how this happened but everything seems
to be working fine without any conflict.


Miguel Morillo
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