Toshiba Tecra M9-S5516X User Guide - Page 184

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 timeconsuming 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.