Should all 16 IRQ resource assignments (IRQ 0 -IRQ 15) be displayed in the Windows 
ME System Summary tool?

When I view the System Summary of IRQs(Start>Programs>Accessories>System Tools> System 
Information>Hardware Resources>IRQs) I see devices listed for each IRQ.... except 
IRQ 5.

Internet searches have revealed that IRQ 5 is most likely used for sound cards, LPT2, 
COM 3, modems, network cards, etc, however I haven't found info on why I can't see 
it.

Tip: Run a free scan for common Windows errors ad

re: IRQ 5 not displayed in System Information Friday, August 21, 2009 at 12:54 am Posted by Keith Stanier (1655 messages posted) Rob wrote: |Should all 16 IRQ resource assignments (IRQ 0 -IRQ 15) be displayed in the Windows |ME System Summary tool? |When I view the System Summary of IRQs(Start>Programs>Accessories>System |Tools> System |Information>Hardware Resources>IRQs) I see devices listed for each IRQ.... except |IRQ 5. |Internet searches have revealed that IRQ 5 is most likely used for |sound cards, LPT2, COM 3, modems, |network cards, etc, however I haven't found info on why I can't see it. Hi Rob. Well on my IRQ5 is the sound card SoundBlaster AWE64 Gold. All the IRQ's are assigned to something. A few years ago I changed my PCI modem and it wasn't recognised in Windows. I had to go into the CMOS/BIOS and allocate it to another number IRQ10 then it showed and it was usable. On my WinXP machine it shows 0-22 IRQ's but you'll find that there isn't only one item per IRQ. On WinME I have 4 items using IRQ10, 2 using IRQ11, 2 using IRQ14 and 2 using IRQ15. On WinXP I have 5 using IRQ16, 11 using IRQ16, 2 using IRQ19 and 2 using IRQ22. Does you sound card work? Is there something not working thats why your checking all IRQ's? I think it will depend on the type of sound card. On my new WinXP computer the sound card is built into the motherboard (Crap) so there is no IRQ number for that. Well there is no listing of the Realtek sound card. [Reply or follow-up to this message] re: IRQ 5 not displayed in System Information Saturday, August 22, 2009 at 2:20 pm Posted by Rob (3 messages posted) Hi Keith, I'm not having any problems with my devices, they seem to be working fine. I've been running my Windows ME system for 8 years now, but I never spent the time to delve into how it all functioned. Recently though, I have been very interested in learning what is going on inside the box, so I've been probing around to see what I could actually do to make my system run better, or customize it to my liking. During my probing I found that my system (like yours), also has more than one device running on some of my IRQs. But, I've also noticed that IRQ 5 was missing from the Hardware Resources list. Why is this? Is it a Registry issue? Is it something related to my BIOS? Does it mean that IRQ 5 isn't functioning or available for use? Or, is it hidden from view for some particular reason? Below is what I see listed for my IRQ resources: IRQ 0 System timer OK IRQ 1 Standard 101/102-Key or Microsoft Natural Keyboard OK IRQ 2 Programmable interrupt controller OK IRQ 3 Accton EN1207D Series PCI Fast Ethernet Adapter OK IRQ 3 ACPI IRQ Holder for PCI IRQ Steering OK IRQ 4 Communications Port (COM1) OK IRQ 6 Standard Floppy Disk Controller OK IRQ 7 ECP Printer Port (LPT1) OK IRQ 8 System CMOS/real time clock OK IRQ 9 SCI IRQ used by ACPI bus OK IRQ 9 Creative SB Live! Value (WDM) OK IRQ 9 Intel(r) 82801BA/BAM SMBus Controller - 2443 OK IRQ 9 ACPI IRQ Holder for PCI IRQ Steering OK IRQ 10 Intel(r) 82801BA/BAM USB Universal Host Controller OK IRQ 10 ACPI IRQ Holder for PCI IRQ Steering OK IRQ 11 32MB NVIDIA GeForce2 MX (Dell) OK IRQ 11 ACPI IRQ Holder for PCI IRQ Steering OK IRQ 12 Microsoft PS/2 Port Mouse (IntelliPoint) OK IRQ 13 Numeric data processor OK IRQ 14 Intel(r) 82801BA Ultra ATA Storage Controller OK IRQ 14 Primary IDE controller (dual fifo) OK IRQ 15 Intel(r) 82801BA Ultra ATA Storage Controller OK IRQ 15 Secondary IDE controller (dual fifo) OK I've done extensive searches online for clues to why an IRQ would be absent from the list of allocations, but I haven't come across anything related to this issue. However, I think if any group of Windows ME users would know the answer... it should be this one! Thanks [Reply or follow-up to this message] re: IRQ 5 not displayed in System Information Sunday, August 23, 2009 at 3:04 am Posted by Keith Stanier (1655 messages posted) Rob wrote: |I'm not having any problems with my devices, they seem to be working fine. |But, I've also noticed that IRQ 5 was missing |from the Hardware Resources list. |Why is this? Is it a Registry issue? Is it something related to my BIOS? |Does it mean that IRQ 5 isn't functioning or available for use? |IRQ 9 Creative SB Live! Value (WDM) Well I'm no expert in these matter but I understand that the sound card can be allocated to another number apart from 5 as yours is using 9. If you sound devices are working ok I wouldn't worry about it. IRQs IRQs is located in the Hardware Resources category in System Information. It displays information about interrupt request (IRQ) channels on your system, and it indicates which devices are assigned to each channel. The operating system allows you to use only certain IRQs. Other IRQs are reserved for a standard set of devices. If there is a sharing conflict with an IRQ, such as a mouse not responding, use Device Manager to locate and troubleshoot the problem. For more information about Device Manager, see Device Manager. For more information about Hardware Resources, see Hardware Resources. [Reply or follow-up to this message] re: IRQ 5 not displayed in System Information Sunday, August 23, 2009 at 11:26 am Posted by Rob (3 messages posted) Keith, Well, since all my systems are "GO", I'm actually I'm not worried about it... at all. However, my curiosity has been piqued by the mystery of my missing IRQ, and I'd still like to know WHY this is. Especially since it doesn't appear to be a commom issue! It may be pedantic of me, but one never knows what jewel of knowledge, or insight, may be gleaned while investigating the obscure! Cheers [Reply or follow-up to this message] re: IRQ 5 not displayed in System Information Sunday, August 23, 2009 at 2:08 pm Posted by Keith Stanier (1655 messages posted) Rob wrote: |However, my curiosity has been piqued by the mystery of my missing |IRQ, and I'd still like to know WHY this is. Especially since it |doesn't appear to be a commom issue! Check the IRQ numbers in the CMOS/BIOS. [Reply or follow-up to this message] re: IRQ 5 not displayed in System Information Sunday, August 23, 2009 at 10:56 pm Posted by C K (6910 messages posted) As Keith posted, check in the BIOS setup for any clues of where IRQ5 may be assigned, and see if it is there. IME, the BIOS has assigned that IRQ for a dedicated device on the motherboard. Is your video adaptor on board? Any other hardware devices onboard? Then that probably is where the IRQ is assigned but the BIOS usually reports that info to Windows. Odd that it doesn't show up, but if you have an older board, about anything is possible as there are no set standards of hardware and BIOS programming. Basically if you don't see it, your could have a hardware BIOS bug issue, (have you checked for a BIOS update that may have addressed an issue like that for the board?) or it is totally unavailable to Windows (the BIOS doesn't report that it exists and it is being used by a hardware device possibly), for some reason, Windows is unable to address IRQ5, therefore can not use it. Windows will only report IRQs that are useable and reported by the BIOS. If you don't see it listed in the BIOS setup, it would be interesting to see what the board manufacturer said about it. [Reply or follow-up to this message] Tip: Use one of the [Reply or follow-up to this message] links above to add a message to this thread Search this forum Start a new thread on a different subject Report abuse of the forum Return to the Windows Me Discussion Forum