stupid question

[shnikey]

Is there a way to get more that 4 IDE devices on my soyo 5EMA+. I want to intsall another hard drive I forgot I had, but I already filled up my IDE connectors (hope that is the right word). I do not want to take out any of the other devices (CD-ROM, CD R/W, DVD) so what are my options?
Shnikey

[Mntsnow]

You can get additional IDE devices if you use an add-in card such as those made by. PROMISE or SIIG. These cards will take up a PCI slot and an IRQ but you will gain 4 additional IDE ports.

Mntsnow

[shnikey]

That is perfect because I have one free PCI slot left. Thank you.
Shnikey

[Dillbert2000]

Maybe not. If you don't have a free IRQ then you will be waisting your cash. I suspect that you don't.

Four drives, sound, DVD card, modem, AGP grafics, and the system resources are probably using up all of your IRQs.

Don't buy unless you are sure of the free IRQ.

[shnikey]

Is there a way I can check to see if I have a free IRQ?
Shnikey

[Mntsnow]

Yes, Go to your device manager and click once on the "computer" then click on properties. It will give you the choice of seeing IRQ's DMA ect See photo http://www.aros.net/~mntsnow/device.JPG . It will show you what device is using what IRQ and if any are free. I would hit both of the manufactures websites that I listed and double check what IRQ's their cards can use or even share. You might be able to even free up an IRQ if you are not using your com port 1 or 2 or even your USB.

I bet you can get it to work.

Mntsnow

[This message has been edited by Mntsnow (edited 10-25-1999).]

[ktwebb]

Go to the device manager. Long way = start, settings, control panel. From there, click on the System icon. Clcik on the device manager tab. Double click on the computer at the top. Your IRQ's will be listed. They are also listed in the system information utility. Start, Programs, Accessories, System tools, System Information. From there, expand the hardware resources key and click IRQ's.

[shnikey]

Thanks.
Shnikey

[KillerBug]

Some ATA/33 cards simply dissable the onboard stuff, get an ATA/66 one, you can always use it again.

[Rookie]

Wow, Mtsnow, how did you do that? Is it visual basic? or just html....I still havent figured out (or rather I lost the saved post) how to get a url link to be live when I post it here.
Rookie