Can You Trust Device Manager?
Kenn's
19980106: Can You Trust Device Manager?
January/1998
Tech
Notes
Tech Note #6
Troubleshooting device conflicts in Windows 95 can often be simplified by accessing Device Manager (Control Panel ... System, or My Computer ... Properties). If you see yellow exclamation marks or question marks next to a system component in Device Manager, you can be reasonably certain you have some sort of conflict which needs to be resolved. Also, if you look at the device resources in Device Manager, it will often tell you "conflict with device such-and-such".
But beware! If you're experiencing problems with a system, and there are no yellow flags in Device Manager it does not mean there isn't a conflict. I recently saw a system which had both the network card and the second serial port (COM2) set to use IRQ 3. Although no problems were apparent accessing the network, the modem (attached to COM2) did not function properly. In Device Manager, there were no yellow flags, nor was any conflict noted in the resource details for the network card. The entry for COM2 did indicate a conflict with the network card, but it was not flagged with an exclamation mark.
Moral of the story: If you see a yellow flag in Device Manager, check out the details for that device for troubleshooting help. If you don't see a yellow flag, but you are having problems with a system, don't assume there isn't a conflict!
DISCLAIMER: This document is intended for the reference of computer support personnel within Winnipeg School Division No. 1. There is no warranty or liability if procedures recommended here have an adverse affect on any systems. Use them at your own risk. Any trademarks mentioned are the property of their owners, none of whom have certified any information provided here. Opinions expressed here are personal only and do not represent the policy of Winnipeg School Division No. 1 or any other organization anywhere.
|
Got a Tech Note to share? Submissions are most welcome! [Click here.] |
To return to the Tech Notes home page, click here. |
To download a copy of all the January/1998 Tech Notes in Rich Text Format, click here. |
| Click here to visit the Information "Super-Cul-De-Sac". |
This page was updated
2001 June 9 |
|
This page hosted by  Get your own Free Homepage Check out my neighbours here in Silicon Valley Peaks by clicking here. |