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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) __ ======================================================================== CREDIT CARD INFORMATION 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.