How to: Install a serial port card.
Solution:
Observe ESD considerations, and install the internal legacy serial card.
WARNING: Electrical shock hazard! Make sure the power is turned off and the external power cables have been disconnected before removing the computer cover.
CAUTION 1: This task should be performed by a qualified computer technician.
CAUTION 2: Please observe steps to reduce the potential damage to computer components from electrostatic discharge.
CAUTION 3: Turn off and unplug the computer before removing the computer cover.
NOTE: Standard serial ports (COM1 through COM4) use standardized I/O addresses and interrupt request (IRQ) values. Use steps 1) through 12) to determine if there are any devices using I/O addresses 02F8 and 03F8, and IRQs 3 and 4.
1) Click the 'Start' button to display the 'Start' menu.
2) Select 'Settings' and select 'Control Panel'. (The 'Control Panel' window appears.)
'Control Panel' window
3) Double-click the 'System' icon. (The 'System Properties' dialog box appears.)
4) Click the 'Device Manager' tab. (The system devices are displayed.)
Device Manager
5) Select the 'Computer' icon.
Select Computer and click properties
6) Click 'Properties'. (The 'Computer Properties' dialog box appears.)
Computer Properties
7) Select the 'Interrupt request (IRQ)' radio button. (The dialog box lists the devices with interrupt assignments and radio button name.)
IRQ
8) Record the interrupts that are not assigned.
9) Select the 'Direct memory access (DMA)' radio button. (The dialog box lists the devices with DMA assignments and radio button name.)
DMA
10) Record which DMAs are not assigned.
11) Select the 'Input/output (I/O)' radio button. (The dialog box lists the devices with memory addresses and radio button name.)
I/O addresses
12) If I/O addresses 02F8 and 03F8 and IRQs 3 and 4 are being used, do the following:
NOTE: If you attempt to reserve a resource currently assigned to a device, a 'Resource Conflict Warning' message will appear stating that if you reserve a resource in use, a resource conflict may occur. If possible, choose a different value to reserve.
a) Click the 'Reserve Resources' tab.
b) Select the 'Interrupt request (IRQ)' radio button, and click 'Add...'. (The 'Edit Resource Settings' dialog box appears.)
'Edit Interrupt Request' dialog box
c) Enter '3' in the 'Value' list box, and click 'OK'.
d) Enter '4' in the 'Value' list box, and click 'OK'.
e) Select the 'Input/Output Range (I/O Range)' radio button, and click 'Add...'. (The 'Edit Resource Settings' dialog box appears.)
'Edit Input/Output Range' dialog box
f) Enter '02F8' in the 'Value' list box, and click 'OK'.
g) Enter '03F8' in the 'Value' list box, and click 'OK'.
h) Click 'OK' to close the 'Computer Properties dialog box.
13) Shut down Windows 95, and turn off the computer.
14) Disconnect the external power cord from computer.
15) Remove the computer cover.
16) Determine the expansion slot type for the serial card.
17) If you are replacing an existing serial card do the following:
a) Locate the existing serial card.
NOTE: The external edge of a serial card may have a 9-pin port and female 25-pin port.
9-Pin Serial Connector
b) Unplug all of the cables connected to the external ports.
c) Remove the screw securing the serial card to the computer.
d) Lift the serial card from the expansion slot with both hands.
CAUTION: Be careful not to snag any cables or scratch components when lifting the sound card from the computer.
18) Align the serial card parallel with an empty slot matching the card, and insert the card into the slot.
CAUTION: Keep the card vertical while inserting it into an expansion, and be careful not to bend the serial card. Bending the serial card can damage the circuitry.
19) Replace the computer cover.
20) Reconnect the external computer power cord, and turn on the computer. (Allow Windows 95 to load normally.)
NOTE 1: Windows 95 will auto-detect the new serial card and auto configure system drivers for the serial card.
NOTE 2: To verify if the serial card is working properly, configure a serial device (external modem or mouse) to use a port on the new card.
