Changing the IRQ of hardware devices in XP

[Raptor]

Windows XP does not let me configure the IRQ of devices such as the soundcard. The option to do is simply greyed out.

Quite a while ago, I was able to change the I/O adresses, however, they would jump back to their default settings as soon as I clicked OK.

What could be the cause of these two problems and how do I solve them?

[dl65]

Raptor ......This might possibly solve the issue .

http://support.winnov.com/general_info/Resource%20conflict/IRQ_conflits_win2KwinXP.htm


dl65  

[Raptor]

Note that Windows 2000 and XP cannot rebalance resources in the same way that Microsoft Windows 98 does. After PCI resources are set, they generally cannot be changed.

Then why does Microsoft recommend you change IRQ settings should a conflict have occured?

[merlin_2]

Well IRQ's - Prioritizing

Start/Run/Regedit
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\PriorityControl. Create a new DWORD value called IRQ8PRiority and set the data to 1, reboot.  

[Raptor]

And what exactly will that do?

[merlin_2]

read  your post that you have written!

---------------------------------------------------------------------
Quote:#~

Windows XP does not let me configure the IRQ of devices such as the soundcard. The option to do is simply greyed out. velociraptor

[Raptor]

That doesn't quite answer my question, Merlin.

I assume that from what you are trying to tell me, you are saying the options will be avaible again. Correct?

[merlin_2]

Yes:).........backup reg before making any changes
as always...........

[Raptor]

Adding that registry value did naught but making Internet images load slower..

[Sidewinder]

This may shed some light:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;315278&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH

Good luck.

[Raptor]

That does indeed explain.

Are you not able to change IRQ settings either, Sidewinder?

[Sidewinder]

Either I've been incredibly lucky or XP really knows what it's doing. Haven't had any conflicts either with this laptop (xp home) or my desktop (xp pro). Which is good cause I wouldn't know how to go about fixing.

I was under the impression that the HAL checked out all your devices and assigned the IRQ's accordingly. This laptop has 9 devices on IRQ 10. From what I read, XP does not rebalance the IRQ's like Win98 did.

You can force another HAL during installation (I guess this is for the DIY crowd):

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/299340/?FR=1

Is your soundcard in conflict?

[Raptor]

I wish to lower the IRQ of my soundcard to an IRQ below 10 or 7. This will help me better configure the sound drivers for older games, as they often do not allow you to go higher than 7 or 10.

Although often IRQ 5 or 10 will work for SoundBlaster Pro configuration, but the sound is choppy.

Am I wrong in thinking that lowering the IRQ would help solve this problem?

I think I shall leave it up to HAL, not quite worth reformatting...

[merlin_2]

either remove the sound card from the device manager and re-boot >>and see ifwinxp allocates an new irq for it ........or take the card out and put in in another port....