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Section 2.2: Installing New Hardware

Installing a new device to a Windows XP Professional 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 XP Professional 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 XP Professional 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 XP Professional 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 XP Professional then will assign another IRQ to the Plug and Play device that was using the IRQ that you have reserved.

2.2.1: Installing Additional Processors

By adding processors to your computer you can improve performance. This is called scaling. When you install an additional processor, you must update the Hardware Abstraction Layer (HAL) on your computer. The HAL functions in a similar way to an application programming interface (API) and is used by programmers to write device-independent applications. This HAL must be updated so that the applications can be supported on both processors. You can use Device Manager to upgrade the HAL.

  • Click on the start button
  • Point to SETTINGS
  • Open the control panel
  • Open system
  • Click on the hardware tab
  • Click on DEVICE MANAGER
  • Expand COMPUTER
  • Right-click ADVANCED CONFIGURATION AND POWER INTERFACE (ACPI) PC or similar model
  • Click PROPERTIES
  • Click on the driver tab
  • Click UPDATE DRIVER
  • Click NEXT on The Welcome To The Upgrade Device Driver Wizard page
  • Click DISPLAY A LIST OF THE KNOWN DRIVERS FOR THIS DEVICE SO THAT I CAN choose A specific driver on the Install Hardware Device Drivers page
  • Click NEXT
  • Click SHOW all HARDWARE OF this device class on the Select A Device Driver page
  • Click the appropriate manufacturer
  • Click the appropriate computer model
  • Click NEXT
  • Click NEXT
  • Click FINISH

2.2.2: Installing and Configuring Fax Devices

If you have installed a fax modem, a fax icon will be displayed in the Control Panel. This icon can be used to add, monitor, and troubleshoot fax devices.

Note: By default, the fax modem is configured send faxes, but is not configured to receive faxes. You can use the Fax Service Management console to receive faxes. You can also use the Fax Service Management console to change security permissions for users, to configure the number of rings before a fax device answers a fax receive, to configure the number of retries before a fax terminates a fax send, and to Configure where to store sent and received faxes.