by Michael Desmond
Windows 98 doesn't radically change the way things were handled under Windows 95, but it does include some useful new tools and tweaks. At the center of all hardware, however, is Windows 98's Plug and Play (PnP), the combination of software and hardware that allows the operating system to automatically manage devices.
For PnP to work, your peripherals, system BIOS, and operating system must all incorporate PnP technology. When Windows 98 starts, the operating system and the PC go through a series of steps to establish configurations, arbitrate conflicts, and record changes.
NOTE: To see if your BIOS is PnP-compliant, look for the BIOS information on your monitor at the beginning of the boot process. A text message identifying the BIOS version should include mention of PnP. You can also check the Windows 98 Device Manager for a PnP BIOS listing.
NOTE: The best place to find the latest 32-bit device drivers for your peripherals is from the vendor. Often, the driver available from a vendor's Web site will be more up-to-date than those found on the Windows 98 CD-ROM.
These components all come together to eliminate the need for the user to tell each peripheral exactly which resources it can access. IRQ, DMA, and I/O address settings are all assigned by Windows 98 based on the overall picture that PnP provides.
While Windows 98 makes things easier, you need to be knowledgeable about the resources your devices need. This enables you to diagnose and fix simple conflicts without having to resort to time-consuming or costly repair services. IRQs, or interrupt requests, are the most critical of the system resources, if only because nearly all devices need them. IRQ numbers enable hardware devices to get the CPU's attention.
A PC has 14 IRQs, but not all of those are actually available to your peripherals. In fact, as PCs incorporate more and more devices, IRQs have become increasingly scarce, which sometimes results in failed installations and conflicts.
Table 27.1 lists the IRQs and their most common uses. As you can see, only about a third of these may be available, and often even those are occupied.
| IRQ Number | Application |
| 2 | Cascade from IRQ9 |
| 3 | Available (or second COM port) |
| 4 | COM1, COM3 |
| 5 | Available (or second printer port, LPT2) |
| 6 | Floppy disk controller |
| 7 | Printer port (LPT1) |
| 8 | System clock |
| 9 | Graphics adapter |
| 10 | Available |
| 11 | Available |
| 12 | Mouse (PS/2 systems) |
| 13 | Math coprocessor (if applicable) |
| 14 | Hard drive controller |
| 15 | Available |
Each time you boot the system, a series of steps occur that launch the PnP process. All the hardware on the system is checked at boot time. If new hardware has been installed, it will be detected, and the appropriate steps will be taken by the PnP system.
The hard work of Plug and Play begins at the BIOS, the lowest level of system logic that controls the movement of information throughout the system.
The following list details the steps that Windows 98 goes through during system startup:
Notice that Windows 98 makes educated guesses about the identity and resource requirements of older devices. The operating system features a large database of resource settings for older devices, which enables it to detect and configure itself to a variety of existing hardware. However, this detection process is not perfect, and it forces dynamic PnP peripherals to be configured around the static settings of older hardware.
Device drivers are a critical part of hardware configuration. This software acts as a bridge between your hardware and the Windows 98 operating system, enabling the two to talk to one another. Drivers not only enable features, they can also enhance performance and fix bugs and conflicts. For this reason, users should always keep an eye out for improved versions of driver software for their hardware. Devices most affected by device driver updates include graphics cards, sound cards, scanners, printers, and video capture devices.
Windows 98 makes it easy to install new driver software, via the Update Device Driver Wizard. Simply follow these steps:
FIG. 27.1 The Device Manager lets you browse among device types to access properties for specific hardware.
FIG. 27.2 The Update Driver button, found in the properties dialog box of many devices, makes it easy to search out the latest driver versions available on the web.
TIP: Windows 98 might carry you off to Microsoft's approved driver index, but you might find more recent--if unapproved--drivers at the manufacturer's web site. This won't happen automatically, however. You'll have to use your web browser to go to the vendor's site, find the appropriate driver files, and download them to an empty folder on your hard disk. If the file is compressed (using PKZip or some other utility), you'll need to expand it as well. Then use the Update feature to browse over to the folder containing the files, and install from there.
Things get more complicated when non-PnP hardware is involved. These so-called older devices lack the capability to be dynamically configured by Windows 98, and they might be difficult to detect during setup. In addition, PnP device installations must be able to work around existing older devices already in the system.
Because of the large number of older non-PnP devices on the market, Windows 98's Plug and Play capability is designed to work with them. Windows 98 includes a large database of hardware devices that provides information on the preferred settings for hundreds of such devices.
Older adapter cards use one of the following two methods for setting device resources: Mechanical jumpers. These create a short circuit between two pins of a multipin header. Jumpers are commonly used to designate resource values for sound cards, and they must be set to match the resource settings of Windows 98. If jumper settings do not match those set in Windows 98, the device will not operate. Non-volatile memory (NVM). Nonvolatile memory--such as electrically erasable, programmable read-only memory (EEPROM)--retains data when you turn off your PC's power. Network adapter cards and sound cards commonly use NVM. Usually you must run a setup program for the card to match the board settings to those of the operating system.
TROUBLESHOOTING:Windows 98 doesn't recognize my external modem. What is wrong? If you are using a 9-pin to 25-pin serial adapter, it may lack the wiring needed to pass Plug and Play data to and from your PC. You need to purchase a newer adapter that allows Plug and Play to work with your external serial device.
When you run Windows 98's Setup program, the OS attempts to detect all the hardware devices in your PC, including older devices such as ISA sound cards and network adapters. It then installs 32-bit protected-mode drivers for peripherals for which updated drivers are available. However, Windows 98 often keeps references to real-mode (16-bit) device drivers in the CONFIG.SYS and AUTOEXEC.BAT files, which are used when the system runs DOS software in DOS-only mode.
CAUTION: The CONFIG.SYS and AUTOEXEC.BAT files--and their references to real-mode drivers--are intended as a compatibility tool. These drivers enable mice, CD-ROM drives, sound cards, and other devices to run in a DOS-only session, which is not uncommon for game play. Unfortunately, the 16-bit reference in these legacy configuration files can confuse Windows, causing it to preempt changes you make in the drivers. If you find your hardware mysteriously using real-mode drivers, check for references to the hardware in the following locations: CONFIG.SYS, AUTOEXEC.BAT, INI, SYSTEM.INI. If you find such references, try to remove them and reload the 32-bit drivers, and then reboot the system. Then your hardware might run under the enhanced 32-bit drivers. Just keep in mind that you'll need to reapply those references in order to use the devices in a DOS-only session.
If Windows can't identify an older device, you need to install the device manually.
If the resource values for a newly installed device are incorrect, or if you receive a Resource Conflict message, you need to stop the detection process and do the following:
NOTE: In some instances, such as with serial port settings, you will not be able to change the resource setting from the Resources sheet. The reason: These resources are managed down at the BIOS level, so the operating system is unable to change them. In such cases, your only option might be to change the settings from the system BIOS, which you can access at startup by pressing Delete, F1, or some other key. Check your system documentation for details.
FIG. 27.3 The Resources tab enables you to override Windows 98's automatic settings to work around IRQ, address, and DMA conflicts.
TIP: Plug and Play is not perfect. When you make multiple configuration changes, it can take Windows two or more restarts to sort out the situation. If you run across problems with the installed device after finishing the process, don't give up too easily. Try rebooting the system--from a cold boot, just to be sure--one or two times. Doing so might enable the hardware detection algorithms to catch all the variables in your system.
The Windows 98 Device Manager is ground zero for managing resources and controlling devices. You can access this useful facility from the Windows 98 Control Panel by clicking Start, Settings, Control Panel, and then selecting the Systems icon. From the System Properties dialog box, choose the Device Manager tab. (Or, you can simply right-click the My Computer icon on the desktop, choose Properties from the context menu that appears, and click the Device Manager tab to access its interface.)
When you get to the Device Manager, you will see a scrolling list box. To see the resources for any hardware device, follow these steps:
FIG. 27.4 Clicking the plus (+) sign next to a device category reveals the installed hardware.
NOTE: The Device Manager is really nothing more than a window into the Windows 98 Registry. All the hardware configuration data provided in the Device Manager is stored in the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE Registry key. In some instances, you can even tweak Registry settings to achieve customizations not possible through the device's interface.
You'll also find a very useful tool in the Device Manager. Click the Properties button at the bottom of the dialog box, and the Computer Properties dialog box appears, as shown in Figure 27.5. Click the four radio buttons to see up-to-the-minute information on IRQ, DMA, I/O, and memory settings. If you are installing a new device, it's a good idea to browse through the DMA and IRQ listings first to look for free resources before you perform the installation.
FIG. 27.5 The Computer Properties sheet features a roster of assigned IRQ, DMA, I/O, and memory resources.
Modems are among the most frequently updated peripherals, in part because of the rapid advance in communication data rates. In addition, many users have several dial-in routines set up for calling into various services or locations, which can require additional tweaking of the hardware. Fortunately, Windows 98 provides a sensible standard interface for adjusting modem settings.
To access modem controls, click Start, Settings, Control Panel, and then select the Modems icon. The Modem Properties dialog box appears.
TIP: Want to see how well your modem is connecting? Launch the System Monitor by clicking Start, Programs, Accessories, System Tools, System Monitor. In the System Monitor dialog box, click Edit, Add Item. From the Category list, choose the Dial Up Adapter entry. Then click the Connection Speed item and click OK. A System Monitor chart will report the bit rate of the modem.
When you open the Modem Properties dialog box, the General page appears first. You can have one or more modems set up under Windows 98, and they will appear in the main window of this dialog box. To change settings on a particular modem, select the desired device in the main window and click the Properties button.
In the General sheet of the dialog box that appears, you can assign the modem a new COM port address. Simply click the Port drop-down button and select the desired address. This control is often useful when your modem is conflicting with a mouse or another modem; switching to a free COM port enables the modem to work properly.
The Speaker Volume slider bar appears just below the Port control. This control lets you adjust volume so that the sound of dialing and connecting is not too loud to live with, yet remains loud enough to hear in case there is a problem.
Finally, the Maximum Speed drop-down list enables you to set the serial port to accept a desired data rate. In general, it is best to give yourself a little head room because modem compression can boost data rates above that of the reported connection rate. A setting of 57,600 or 115,200 is recommended.
The Connection page of the Modem Properties dialog box lets you adjust settings that allow your modem to speak the language of other modems. If your modem is working (if you can hear it dial numbers) but fails to connect, changing some of the settings on this page might resolve the problem.
Connection Preferences
The first stop is the Connection Preferences area, where you can adjust your modem's data bit, stop bit, and parity values. In general, you should assume the following default values will work for the named controls: Data bit: 8
Parity: None Stop bits: 1 If you continue to have problems, check with the ISP or provider on the other end to see if they use these values.
Call Preferences
The Call Preferences area enables you to customize calling behavior. It provides the following controls:
Advanced Settings
You'll also find some less-important controls by clicking the Advanced button. From the dialog box that appears, you can turn hardware compression on and off and take control of default error-checking modes. The Port button takes you to the Advanced Port Settings dialog box. A pair of slider bars let you commit more or less memory to storing bits coming into or going out of the modem. Moving the slider controls all the way to the right can help speed performance and avoid buffer overruns that can result in lost data.
When it comes to resolving conflicts, the Device Manager is again the best place to start. Problems often occur when hardware devices try to grab the same system resource; however, incompatible hardware may also be the culprit.
If a device is conflicting, you will see an indication on the Device Manager page of the System Properties dialog box. An exclamation point next to a device, as shown in Figure 27.6, means that a conflict has been detected.
FIG. 27.6 Windows 98 eases troubleshooting by pointing out device conflicts in the Device Manager.
You can alter the settings for the offending device by double-clicking the highlighted item and clicking the Resource tab of the device's properties dialog box.
When a conflict exists, it is described in the Conflicting Device list box at the bottom of the sheet. To resolve the conflict, do the following:
If you experience chronic system crashes and data loss, you might try tweaking the way Windows 98 works with your disk I/O. The System Properties dialog box includes some potentially helpful tools. Follow these steps to see what you can do:
You will see a dialog box similar to the one shown in Figure 27.7. Use the options in this dialog box to disable key performance aspects of the Windows 98 file system, including advanced disk cache features, 32-bit file I/O, and long filename preservation. Your performance will take a hit, but turning off these features might allow you to stabilize your system long enough to replace the errant disk drives.
FIG. 27.7 Windows 98's advanced caching and file access features can upset some older hard disk and CD-ROM drives. Use the File Systems Properties dialog box to disable some features in an attempt to restore reliability.
Problems can also occur when hardware such as graphics and audio accelerators don't properly support advanced features. Windows 98 lets you troubleshoot these problems by selectively turning off individual features until you find a profile that works properly.
To scale back graphics acceleration features, follow these steps:
FIG. 27.8 Adjusting the Hardware acceleration control might help alleviate problems related to your graphics card.
NOTE: You can access this same control from the Windows 98 Control Panel by selecting the Display icon, clicking the Settings tab, and then clicking the Advanced button. In the dialog box that appears, click the Performance tab, and the same control appears.
You can tweak audio capabilities in much the same way. If you are experiencing audio problems, try disabling some of the hardware acceleration in an effort to ferret out a problem.
FIG. 27.9 The Performance tab lets you adjust the sample rate of audio data to achieve higher-quality results or to alleviate hardware-related problems.
Sometimes problems can occur if the driver for a previously removed device has not been uninstalled. You can remove the device driver from Windows 98's Device Manager list by following these steps:
If you have more than one hardware configuration, a modified version of the Confirm Device Removal message box appears. Make sure the Remove from All Configurations option button is selected; then click OK to remove the device and close the message box.
NOTE: Once again, if the driver you are removing has a reference in CONFIG.SYS, AUTOEXEC.BAT, WIN.INI, or SYSTEM.INI, you might have to remove the mention of the device from those files as well. Otherwise, Windows might load the old 16-bit version of the driver. How can you tell? After you've removed a device, restart the system and see if Device Manager shows an entry for it. If it doesn't, you're in the clear. If it does, you need to remove the offending lines from those files.
Windows 98 lets you create multiple hardware profiles--a useful feature for notebook users who need different hardware settings when they are on the road or plugged into a docking station at the office. You can create hardware profiles from the Hardware Profiles page of the System Properties dialog box, shown in Figure 27.10.
Do the following:
NOTE: The profile you create will be identical to the one you copied. To tailor the profile to meet your needs, you need to go to the properties dialog box of each peripheral, found in the Device Manager. At the bottom of the General page, you can set the device to be associated with one or all hardware profiles.
FIG. 27.10 Create new hardware profiles by simply copying from an existing profile.
© Copyright, Macmillan Computer Publishing. All rights reserved.
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