Section 2.1: Installing New Hardware

Installing a new device to a Windows Server 2003 computer typically involves physically connecting the device to the computer; loading the appropriate device drivers; and configuring the device properties and settings if required.

Note: To be able to install a device you must be logged on as an administrator or as a member of the Administrators group.

When you install a Plug and Play device, Windows Server 2003 automatically configures the device so that it works properly with the other devices that are already installed on the computer. This includes assigning the appropriate system resources, such as Interrupt Request (IRQ) line number, Direct Memory Access (DMA) channels, Input/Output (I/O) port addresses and Memory Address ranges, to the device. Each device must be assigned a unique system resource or the device will not function properly. When you install a non-Plug and Play, or a legacy device, you must use the Add/Remove Hardware Wizard. If Windows Server 2003 does not detect the device you must configure the system resources for the device manually. You can assign system resources to the device in Device Manager.

Note: Some old legacy ISA devices require the use of a specific IRQ number that Windows Server 2003 may have assigned to a Plug and Play device. In this event you should reserve the IRQ that is required by the device in your system BIOS. Windows Server 2003 will then assign another an IRQ to the Plug and Play device that was using the IRQ that you have reserved.

Note: When you install Windows Server 2003 on a new computer that does not have a standard Hardware Abstraction Layer (HAL) or a RAID device that is not detected by the Windows Setup program, you must install the drivers for these devices during the text portion of the Windows Server 2003 Setup program.