How to Change the IRQ Settings in the BIOS

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Default motherboard BIOS settings usually do not need to be changed when the motherboard or computer is installed and will suffice for most purposes. However, if you install add-on hardware that must use a specific IRQ (Interrupt Request to the CPU), the add-on hardware will not work until the IRQ specified is assigned to that hardware component. To assign a specific IRQ to a new hardware add-on hardware component, you must access the BIOS setup pages of the motherboard.

1). Reboot the computer and press the "DEL" key to enter the AMI BIOS setup pages. Press the "Down" arrow and highlight the "PNP/PCI Configuration" item, then press the "Enter" key. Use the "Up" and "Down" arrow keys to navigate to the IRQ you wish to change. When the IRQ is highlighted, press the "PgUp" and "PgDn" keys to change the setting from "PCI/PNP" to "ISA" or vice versa. Press the "Enter" key to save the setting.

2). Press "ESC" to exit to the main BIOS setup menu. Press the "F10" key to save the configuration and exit the BIOS. Press the "Enter" key to confirm.

3). Reboot the PC and press the keys specified on the initial message displayed (either the "DEL" key or the "CTRL," "ALT," and "ESC" keys at the same time) in order to access the Award BIOS setup pages.

Use the "Up and "Down" arrow keys to navigate to the "PNP/PCI Configuration" selection, then press the "Enter" key. Use the "Up" and "Down" arrow keys to navigate to the PCI slot item to which you wish to assign an IRQ.

4). Press the "PgUp" and "PgDn" keys to select the IRQ you wish to assign, or select the "Auto" setting and press the "Enter" key. Press the "F10" key to save the setting, then press the "Enter" key to confirm the setting and exit the BIOS setup.

5). Reboot the computer. Hold down the keys specified in the initial boot message that appears ("CTRL," "ALT," and "ESC" keys or the "CTRL," "ALT," and "S" keys or the "CTRL," "ALT," and "INS" keys). The Phoenix BIOS setup main page will appear.

6). Tap the "Up" and "Down" arrow keys to move to the "Advanced" menu. Tap the "Up" and "Down" arrow keys to highlight the "Resource Configuration" or "PCI Configuration" item, then press "Enter." Use the "Up" and "Down" arrow keys to highlight the PCI slot to which you want to assign an IRQ.

7). Press the "+" and "-" keys to select the IRQ you wish to assign, or select the "Auto" or "Auto Select" setting. Press the "F10" key to save the new settings and exit. Press "Enter" to confirm you want to exit the Phoenix BIOS setup pages.