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CTS IRQInfo (TM)
User Guide
Computer Telecommunication Systems, Inc.
3847 Foxwood Road, Suite 1000
Duluth, Georgia 30136-6100 USA
Voice: 1-770-263-8623
FAX: 1-770-263-0124
Email: support@comminfo.com
or 76662,2315 (CompuServe)
World Wide Web: http://www.comminfo.com
Copyright 1994-95 Computer Telecommunication Systems, Inc. All
Rights Reserved.
No part of this User Guide may be reproduced, transmitted,
transcribed, stored in a retrieval system, or translated into any
language (natural or computer), in any form or by any means,
without the prior written permission of Computer
Telecommunication Systems, Inc.
Information in this manual is subject to change without notice
and does not represent a commitment on the part of Computer
Telecommunication Systems, Inc.
Computer Telecommunication Systems, Inc. may make improvements
and/or changes in the manual and/or in IRQInfo at any time.
Trademarks and Copyrights
=========================
IBM(R) and PS/2(R) are registered trademarks of International
Business Machines Corporation.
The CTS Serial Port Utilities(TM), IRQInfo(TM), IRQInfo PRO(TM),
SwapIRQ(TM) and AT Command Test(TM) are trademarks of Computer
Telecommunication Systems, Inc.
SoundBlaster(TM) is a trademark of Creative Labs, Inc.
DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTY
USERS OF THIS SOFTWARE MUST ACCEPT THIS DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTY:
THIS SOFTWARE IS SUPPLIED AS IS. COMPUTER TELECOMMUNICATION
SYSTEMS DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED,
INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF
MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, WITH
RESPECT TO THE SOFTWARE AND THE ACCOMPANYING WRITTEN MATERIALS.
NO LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES. IN NO EVENT SHALL
COMPUTER TELECOMMUNICATION SYSTEMS OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR
ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER (INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, DAMAGES
FOR LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS, BUSINESS INTERRUPTION, LOSS OF
BUSINESS INFORMATION, OR OTHER PECUNIARY LOSS) ARISING OUT OF THE
USE OF OR INABILITY TO USE THIS COMPUTER TELECOMMUNICATION
SYSTEMS PRODUCT, EVEN IF COMPUTER TELECOMMUNICATION SYSTEMS HAS
BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. BECAUSE SOME
STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR
CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES, THE ABOVE LIMITATION MAY NOT
APPLY TO YOU.
Introducing IRQInfo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
How a Computer Uses IRQs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Common Interrupt Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Installing IRQInfo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Running IRQInfo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
The System Interrupt Table . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Used in This System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Yes - (device detected) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Yes - Com# (Mouse) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Yes - (?) LPT# . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Yes - Unknown . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Driver - (driver name) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
TSR - (TSR name) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Possibly - Enabled but not active . . . . . . . . . 8
* Nothing Detected . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
No - Not Installed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Available . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Never . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
No-In Use . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
??? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Shared? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Conflict? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Yes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
IRQInfo Command Line Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Tips for Using IRQInfo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Using LPT# IRQs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Devices Not Detected . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
The IRQInfo Order Form . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
- 4 -
Introducing IRQInfo
===================
IRQInfo is a powerful interrupt identification tool. If you have
gone through the frustration of using a utility that incorrectly
identifies or "guesses" at the IRQs used by devices, then you can
appreciate how important accuracy is in a tool of this type.
IRQInfo focuses on identifying what IRQs are being used by the
devices in the computer.
IRQInfo goes through eight separate tests to identify the IRQs
used on the computer. By using a multiple-test approach, maximum
accuracy and device coverage is assured. The biggest difference
between IRQInfo and similar utilities is that IRQInfo never
assumes anything. When an IRQ is not detected, then you are told
that it wasn't.
Because of the way IRQInfo works with the computer when it runs,
it must be run from a true DOS environment with the DOS device
drivers loaded prior to running IRQInfo. This provides maximum
accuracy in detecting the system interrupts.
How a Computer Uses IRQs
========================
Computer systems use interrupts as signals between the hardware
and the software. Devices are assigned to use specific interrupt
lines (similar to "phone lines") when the board is installed. The
hardware device creates an Interrupt ReQuest (IRQ) by signalling
on the interrupt line selected by the jumper or switch. The
software using the device must be set up to watch the same
interrupt line. When the software "sees the request", it stops
whatever it is doing (it is "interrupted") and does whatever
action is required by that particular device.
NOTE: The terms "interrupt" and "IRQ" are generally
interchangeable - the board uses a particular interrupt line to
signal an IRQ. These are commonly discussed as "IRQ #", where "#"
is the number of the interrupt line used.
There are 8 interrupt lines on a IBM PC/XT, and 16 on an ISA or
EISA computer. Several of these lines are "used" internally in
the computer and are not available for add-in devices. On a
PC/XT, only IRQs 2-7 are available for add-in devices. With a
common configuration of two serial ports (IRQs 3&4), a hard disk
(IRQ 5), floppy disk (IRQ 6) and line printer (IRQ7), only IRQ 2
is free (though IRQ 7 can often be used...see the section on
"Using LPT# IRQs".)
When IBM introduced the ISA (AT computer bus), it expanded the
number of IRQs available by adding a second "interrupt
controller". The interrupt controller is a chip that detects when
an interrupt line has been activated by the hardware, and then
tells the software to handle, or "service" the interrupt. The
- 5 -
software that services the interrupt is called an Interrupt
Service Routine, or ISR.
Each interrupt controller can handle 8 interrupt lines, so the
IBM AT and all compatible systems support 16 interrupt lines. Of
these, only 11 are available on the system bus for use by
devices. The other 5 (IRQs 0-2, 8 and 13) are used internally by
the computer system.
Common Interrupt Problems
-------------------------
Computer systems use interrupts to operate more efficiently.
Interrupts allow the processor to keep working while a slow
device performs an operation. When the slow device has finished
it's task, then it can tell the processor that the task is
finished by generating an IRQ.
For example, the disk drive is much slower than the processor.
When you enter the command to run IRQInfo, the operating system
tells the disk to find "IRQInfo.EXE". When the disk controller
locates the file, it signals the operating system ("Here it is!")
by using the interrupt. The software (the ISR for the disk drive)
then reads the information from the controller.
This brings up a key point, and the source of many interrupt
problems on computers: each interrupt line has one (and only one)
ISR at any one time. For the computer system to work properly,
the ISR for each interrupt line must match the device using that
line. ISRs are "device specific"; an ISR for the Com port cannot
deal with a disk drive and the ISR for the disk drive cannot
service a sound card. The device will not work if the ISR does
not support the device. So, when installing a new device in the
system, you must make sure that: 1) the device is installed on an
IRQ that isn't already in use; 2) all of the software which uses
the device is set to use the same IRQ; and 3) no other software
is going to try and use this interrupt to control a different
device.
When the computer system BIOS loads, it sets up default ISRs for
the system, including those needed for the keyboard, disk drives,
the system clocks, and so on. When you start an application in
DOS, it may replace one or more of the default ISRs with new
ones. For example, most DOS communication applications install a
new ISR for the Com ports. This is why it is very important to
set the software to use the correct IRQ. If it isn't set
properly, it will fail since it cannot detect the interrupt
generated by the modem.
Windows, Win95 and OS/2 install drivers when they start up which
replace the default ISRs. Some drivers "auto-detect" the IRQs
used by their devices, and others have to be installed and set up
properly to work. For example, in Windows, you must set the
interrupt for the "non-standard" Com ports through the control
panel (ports, advanced settings).
- 6 -
The other common problem is that only one device can use an IRQ
at any time on most computers (EISA and PS/2 systems support
interrupt sharing, but most systems, cards and software do not.)
In general, try to set up your system with one device per IRQ,
and, if at all possible, use the default IRQs for the devices.
Installing IRQInfo
==================
IRQInfo may be the easiest program to use that you've seen in a
while. IRQInfo is normally placed in a subdirectory on your hard
disk. The following instructions assume you will put IRQInfo in a
directory named "IRQINFO"
1. Create an "IRQInfo" subdirectory on your hard disk using the
DOS Make Directory (MD) command:
Example: C>MD IRQInfo <Enter>
NOTE: <Enter> means to press the Enter (Return) key.
2. Change the default directory to the directory you created
using the DOS Change Directory (CD) command:
Example: C>CD IRQInfo <Enter>
3. Copy the distribution files to the IRQInfo directory. If the
distribution files are on a floppy diskette in drive A, you
would enter:
Example: C:\IRQINFO>COPY A:\*.* <Enter>
If a README.TXT file was copied to the hard drive, then read this
file for additional information not included in this User Guide.
IRQInfo is ready to run.
Running IRQInfo
===============
If the computer is currently running Windows, you will need to
shut down all of the Windows applications and exit to DOS from
the Program Manager. If the computer is running OS/2 or another
operating system or environment (including DesqView), then re-
boot into DOS or run from the reboot to DOS Mode of Windows 95.
When you load DOS, make sure that device drivers are loaded (do
NOT do a "clean boot"). Because of the wide variety of devices,
IRQInfo may use the device drivers to identify some IRQs that are
used by the devices controlled by the drivers. If the computer is
connected to a network, please log into the network. This
activates the IRQ used by some network cards.
To run IRQInfo, enter:
IRQInfo <Enter>
- 7 -
IRQInfo will start running. After several seconds, IRQInfo will
alert you that it is ready to test the line printer interrupts.
Press the "Enter" key to test the printer ports, or press the
"Esc" key to skip the printer interrupt test. IRQInfo then spends
a few seconds testing the system, displays the "System Interrupt
Table", and quits.
The System Interrupt Table
==========================
The System Interrupt Table contains 4 columns of information:
1) the IRQ numbers supported on this computer;
2) the "standard" or common use of that particular IRQ;
3) how the IRQ is being used in this computer;
4) the status of the IRQ.
NOTE: The Sample Table referenced below is not included in this
version of the User Guide.
The first two columns describe the IRQ number and the typical use
of each interrupt. If you have an installation choice to make,
try to use the default or standard configuration. In general,
we've found that users have fewer problems with their system and
software if the most common settings are used.
Used in This System
-------------------
This column describes exactly how each IRQ is being used in this
computer. There are a number of different messages that can
occur:
Yes - (device detected)
-----------------------
This interrupt is in use by the device(s) listed in this
column. In the example table, IRQs 0-9 and 14 are in use
with the devices listed.
Yes - Com# (Mouse)
------------------
This message indicates that a serial mouse was detected on
the IRQ and Com port indicated.
Yes - (?) LPT#
--------------
It is not possible to always detect the line printer port(s)
IRQs properly. When IRQInfo cannot detect the actual IRQ
used, it will display "(?)" beside the LPT# while displaying
the default IRQ used by the printer. When the actual IRQ is
detected by IRQInfo, no "(?)" appears.
- 8 -
IRQ 7 in the sample table shows that the LPT1 IRQ was
actually detected, while IRQ 5 shows the IRQ that is
normally used by LPT2. Also note that IRQ 5 may have a
conflict, as a SoundBlaster compatible card is also using
this IRQ.
NOTE: You can ensure that IRQInfo always detects the actual
printer IRQ by using a printer loopback plug.
Yes - Unknown
-------------
This IRQ is enabled and active, but IRQInfo was not able to
determine what device is using the IRQ. You may be able to
figure it out by comparing the devices detected by IRQInfo
with the list of equipment on the computer.
Driver - (driver name)
----------------------
The IRQ is under the control of the driver listed. This
normally indicates that the driver is controlling a device
using this IRQ. Do not attempt to use this IRQ for a new
device. The driver name usually gives a good description of
the device that is being controlled.
TSR - (TSR name)
----------------
The IRQ is under the control of the Terminate & Stay
Resident (TSR) software listed. This normally indicates that
the TSR is controlling a device using this IRQ. Do not
attempt to use this IRQ for a new device. You should be able
to identify the device being controlled from the name of the
TSR.
Possibly - Enabled but not active
---------------------------------
This is an interesting situation. For some reason, this
interrupt has been enabled, but there is no activity on the
interrupt line, and no device was detected as using this
interrupt. Most of the time, this message is caused by the
BIOS leaving the interrupt enabled after "booting up" the
computer.
* Nothing Detected
------------------
IRQInfo did not detect any use of this interrupt. This IRQ
is available for additional devices.
No - Not Installed
------------------
This message will only appear on IRQ 13 when a numeric
coprocessor is not installed.
- 9 -
Available
---------
This column shows the current status of the IRQ. There are
several different messages that may appear here:
Never
-----
These IRQs are used internally in the computer and are not
available for use by any add-in devices. These IRQs are not
available on the system bus.
No-In Use
---------
This IRQ is definitely being used by a device in the
computer.
???
---
This interrupt was detected as having been activated at one
time, but no device was detected. See the description above
for "Possibly - Enabled but not active". This interrupt is
probably available for use by a new device - but try to use
the IRQs listed as "Yes" (available) first.
Shared?
-------
If multiple devices are detected as using the same IRQ on an
EISA computer system, then the IRQ may be shared between the
two devices. Note that the devices and software must be
properly configured to support IRQ sharing in this manner.
Conflict?
---------
If multiple devices are detected as using the same IRQ on an
ISA or PC/XT computer system, then an IRQ conflict may
exist.
Yes
---
The IRQ is not being used, and is available for an add-in
card.
IRQInfo Command Line Options
============================
IRQInfo options are controlled by "command line switches".
Command line switches are program options that you place on the
command line. Each option is preceded by a slash character "/".
These "switches" control the IRQInfo software the way a hardware
switch controls the options on a board.
- 10 -
Program Help - /?
-----------------
A short help screen is displayed when you enter the command
line:
IRQInfo /? <Enter>
Copy IRQInfo Results to a File
------------------------------
IRQInfo will create a "log file" that contains a copy of all
screen displays. To create the log file IRQINFO.LOG, enter
the command line:
IRQInfo /L <Enter>
If you wish to add to an existing log file, use the command
line:
IRQInfo /LA <Enter>
To print a copy of the log file on the system printer, use
the command line:
IRQInfo /P <Enter>
NOTE: printing a copy of the log file, and then taping the
report to the inside cover of the computer is an excellent
way to keep track of what devices are installed.
Tips for Using IRQInfo
======================
IRQInfo is a tool to assist with installing new equipment in the
computer. Think of IRQInfo as a checkpoint in each step of the
device installation. Run "IRQInfo /P" before starting to create a
printed record of what is already in the computer and to assist
in planning how you will proceed.
There are two things to remember when installing a device: 1) one
of the IRQs supported by the device must be available; and 2) the
software that uses the board must support the IRQ used.
After the initial IRQInfo printout, examine the report and see if
the device will just "drop in" to an unused IRQ. If so, follow
the installation instructions that came with the device and
continue with the installation. When finished, run "IRQInfo /P"
once again to create a record of the new setup.
In many cases, you will be required to change an IRQ assignment
for another device (or possibly remove it) before installing the
new device. This is a time for careful thought before proceeding.
Determine what device IRQ(s) need changing. Remember to verify
that the software that uses the device(s) will support the IRQ
change. When you are ready to proceed, take it one step at a
- 11 -
time. After each change, complete the installation of the device
changed and make certain it is fully operational. Then run
"IRQInfo /P" again to check the current system setup. By testing
and verifying each step, you can save yourself literally hours of
anguish trying to sort out problems later.
Using LPT# IRQs
===============
The IRQs that are "used" by the printer (LPT) port(s) on the
computer are often available if you are using DOS or Windows
(This discussion does not apply to OS/2 users - OS/2 uses the
printer interrupts). With rare exceptions, DOS and Windows do not
use the printer interrupts for printing - meaning that the IRQs
allocated for these devices can often be used for another device.
For example, many sound cards and accompanying software use of
IRQ 5 and/or IRQ 7 - the same IRQs normally used by LPT2 and
LPT1. When a card is installed using the same IRQ as one of the
printer ports, IRQInfo will show this as a possible conflict. As
long as both devices continue to work for you as expected, you
may ignore the conflict message.
Devices Not Detected
====================
It is possible that IRQInfo will not detect a device that is
installed in the computer. If you run into this situation:
1. Make certain that the DOS device driver (if any) is loaded for
the device.
2. If the device is a network card, log into the network to
activate the card.
3. Run IRQInfo several times to verify that the device is not
detected.
4. If no DOS device driver exists for this card (for example, a
network card running a Windows For Workgroups Network), you will
need to obtain IRQInfo PRO to test this system.
If the problem persists, please send the following information to
us:
1. A complete description (manufacturer, model number,
version number and brief description) of the device.
2. Copies of the following files: CONFIG.SYS, AUTOEXEC.BAT
from the boot disk, and SYSTEM.INI from the Windows
directory.
3. The IRQInfo version number you are running (this is
displayed when you run IRQInfo.)
- 12 -
4. Please send this information via Email to CTS at internet
address 76662.2315@compuserve.com or on a diskette to 3847
Foxwood Road, Suite 1000, Duluth, GA 30136-6100 (USA).
We will attempt to update IRQInfo for any undetected devices that
are reported.
Association Of Shareware Professionals Member
=============================================
_______
____|__ | (R)
--| | |-------------------
| ____|__ | Association of
| | |_| Shareware
|__| o | Professionals
-----| | |---------------------
|___|___| MEMBER
This program is produced by a member of the Association of
Shareware Professionals (ASP). ASP wants to make sure that the
shareware principle works for you. If you are unable to resolve a
shareware-related problem with an ASP member by contacting the
member directly, ASP may be able to help. The ASP Ombudsman can
help you resolve a dispute or problem with an ASP member, but
does not provide technical support for members' products. Please
write to the ASP Ombudsman at 545 Grover Road, Muskegon, MI
49442-9427 USA, FAX 616-788-2765 or send a CompuServe message via
CompuServe Mail to ASP Ombudsman 70007,3536.
The IRQInfo Order Form
Name: ______________________________ Telephone: ____________________
Company: ________________________________ E-mail ID: ____________________
Address: __________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
QTY Description Price Subtotal
=== =========== ===== ========
___ IRQInfo $24 ________
___ IRQInfo PRO 35 ________
========
Sub-Total $________
Sales Tax: Georgia residents add 5% $________
Shipping & Handling: $ 4.00
=========
TOTAL (US dollars, please) $________
PAYMENT METHOD: Check __ Money Order __ EuroCheq __ Discover __
Visa __ MasterCard __ Am. Express __ Purchase Order ($50 min) __
========================================================================
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Name as it appears on the card: _________________________________
Card No. ________ ________ ________ ________ Expires ___/___
Cardholder signature: ___________________________________________
Please send to, FAX, Email or call:
+--------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Computer Telecommunication Systems, Inc. |
| 3847 Foxwood Road, Suite 1000 |
| Duluth, Georgia 30136-6100 USA |
+--------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| Telephone | Electronic Mail |
| --------- | --------------- |
| Orders: 1-800-380-2666 | Internet:sales@comminfo.com |
| Voice: 1-770-263-8623 | or http://www.comminfo.com |
| FAX: 1-770-263-0124 | CompuServe: 76662,2315 |
+--------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
Federal TaxID: 58-1880693. Prices are subject to change without notice.