Need for IRQ reassignment

Question

Hello,

I have seen the other posts about IRQ assignment, but I need to change IRQs for a specific reason and I need to know if it is possible.

Basically, I'm trying to run Pro Tools with a firewire HDD and a USB-connected input box. The problem is, I constantly get Pro Tools program errors saying that "the system held interrupts too long," and it seems like I need to take the USB and firewire devices off of the same IRQ.

Any help is much appreciated,

Marty

i_caught_fate · Answer

BTW, I'm running Windows XP.

BravoGolf · Answer

You can change the basic IRQ assignment from the BIOS, but it is more reccomended to do so from the Device Manager.
To access Device Manger, go to Control Panel, click on Switch to Classic View (provided that you are in category view) on the top left hand corner.
Then double click on System. In System, click on the Hardware Tab and select Device Manager.
Locate the device, expand and double click it (or right click the device and left click on Properties), then click on the Resources tab.
From here you can reassign the IRQ, but make sure that you do not conflict with any other devices (also, while in Device Manger, check for conflicts, noted with a big exclamation mark).
Also make note of the current settings (or create a system restore point) in the event that you need to revert back to the previous settings :)

Wow, that was a long post!

i_caught_fate · Answer

Hi, thanks for the help.

The thing is, in Windows XP I can't change the IRQ from the device manager, or in the BIOS. The fields for changing the IRQ in windows are greyed out, and there are no IRQ settings in the BIOS. That's why I'm having trouble.

...

ejn63 · Answer

The only way to manually manipulate IRQs is to reinstall Windows with ACPI turned off.

That is not a good idea - Windows XP does a fine job managing interrupts by itself -- usually better than anything one can do manually.

i_caught_fate · Answer

When I reinstall Windows, where do I specify to turn ACPI off?  For me, Windows XP actually does a bad job of assigning these interrupts, due to the fact that two of my devices used for recording are conflicting.

BravoGolf · Answer

As far as I know you can turn ACPI (ACPI=off) in the Kernel Boot, or in services Start- Run and type services.msc..could be there. All I know, sorry! Message Edited by BravoGolf on 06-15-2004 08:58 AM

schmieg · Answer

Do you need both of the recording devices at the same time? If not, you could create two hardware profiles, each with one of the devices disabled.

i_caught_fate · Answer

Yeah I do need both devices at the same time, and that is what is causing Pro Tools to error about interrupts, I believe. The USB device is the input box for the instruments, and the firewire device is the HDD used to store the audio data.

I'll try turning off ACPI and reconfiguring manually using the instructions from a few posts ago...if this doesn't change it I guess I'll just have to check out other options (read: Apple) -- especially since the Pro Tools software for PC requires XP, which is what is grouping these devices on a single IRQ.

Thanks for your help!!!

Marty

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Need for IRQ reassignment

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