Expansion Cards - Asus P4T-CM User Manual

3. HARDWARE SETUP

3.6 Expansion Cards

WARNING! Unplug your power supply when adding or removing expansion
cards or other system components. Failure to do so may cause severe damage to
both your motherboard and expansion cards (see 3.3 Hardware Setup Proce-
dure for more information).
3.6.1 Expansion Card Installation Procedure
1. Read the documentation for your expansion card and make any necessary hard-
ware or software settings for your expansion card, such as jumpers.
2. Remove your computer system's cover and the bracket plate on the slot you
intend to use. Keep the bracket for possible future use.
3. Carefully align the card's connectors and press firmly.
4. Secure the card on the slot with the screw you removed above.
5. Replace the computer system's cover.
6. Set up the BIOS if necessary
(such as IRQ xx Used By ISA: Yes in PNP AND PCI SETUP)
7. Install the necessary software drivers for your expansion card.
3.6.2 Assigning IRQs for Expansion Cards
Some expansion cards need an IRQ to operate. Generally, an IRQ must be exclu-
sively assigned to one use. In a standard design, there are 16 IRQs available but
most of them are already in use, leaving 6 IRQs free for expansion cards. If your
motherboard has PCI audio onboard, an additional IRQ will be used. If your moth-
erboard also has MIDI enabled, another IRQ will be used, leaving 4 IRQs free.
Standard Interrupt Assignments
IRQ Priority
0
1
2 N/A
3* 11
4* 12
5* 13
6 14
7* 15
8
9*
10*
11*
12*
13
14*
15* 10
*These IRQs are usually available for ISA or PCI devices.
22
Standard Function
1 System Timer
2 Keyboard Controller
Programmable Interrupt
Communications Port (COM2)
Communications Port (COM1)
Sound Card (sometimes LPT2)
Floppy Disk Controller
Printer Port (LPT1)
3 System CMOS/Real Time Clock
4 ACPI Mode when enabled
5 IRQ Holder for PCI Steering
6 IRQ Holder for PCI Steering
7 PS/2 Compatible Mouse Port
8 Numeric Data Processor
9 Primary IDE Channel
Secondary IDE Channel
ASUS P4T-CM User's Manual