   Plug and Play computers

   Overview
   ========      
      - Plug and Play
      - Computers with a Plug and Play BIOS 
      - Computers without a Plug and Play BIOS
      - Locking the configuration
      - Changing the configuration 
      - Troubleshooting

 
   Plug and Play
   =============

      Plug and Play (PnP) is a new system architecture for ISA bus       
      computers that automatically configures PnP hardware devices, 
      such as your EtherExpress(TM) PRO/10 adapter, when you turn on 
      the computer.

      Currently, two types of computers can be called "Plug and Play."
      The first type has a PnP BIOS, while the second type doesn't. Both 
      types need a PnP Configuration Manager (CM). When you buy a 
      computer with a PnP BIOS, it should come with a CM. If it doesn't, 
      contact your computer vendor.

      A Configuration Manager is a DOS based program (a device driver) 
      that controls system resource assignments such as IRQ and I/O 
      address. The CM functions as a backup to the PnP BIOS -- it
      configures any system resource that the PnP BIOS doesn't assign.
      In the case where you don't have a PnP BIOS, the CM configures all
      the system resources. 

      For both computers, install the adapter according to the 
      instructions in your Installation Guide.
   
   
   Computers with Plug and Play BIOS (recommended)
   ===============================================

      The ideal Plug and Play computer has a PnP BIOS and a PnP
      Configuration Manager. The PnP BIOS automatically configures 
      your EtherExpress PRO/10 adapter when you turn on your computer 
      (before the operating system starts).
      
      You can view or modify your adapter's configuration using 
      SoftSet2 or the Configuration Manager's ISA Configuration 
      Utility (ICU). For more info, see "Locking the configuration" 
      and "Changing the configuration" at the end of this file.

      If you have a Plug and Play BIOS and are running OS/2*, Windows NT*,
      or a NetWare* server, make sure you DISABLE Plug and Play
      on your adapter using SoftSet2 (Advanced Options menu). Having 
      Plug and Play enabled may cause configuration problems because these
      environments don't support Plug and Play (they don't support a 
      Configuration Manager.)

      If you have Flash
      -----------------
      After the PnP BIOS configures the adapter, the Flash memory 
      receives control before the operating system loads. Flash 
      updates the adapter's default system resources (such as IRQ 
      and I/O address) with the values the PnP BIOS assigned. 
      
      Warning: Disabling Flash cancels this updating process. 


   Computers without Plug and Play BIOS (not recommended)
   ======================================================

      If you want PnP features without a PnP BIOS, you must have a 
      Configuration Manager. The CM automatically configures your 
      EtherExpress PRO/10 adapter when DOS boots.  

      This type of computer isn't recommended for a file server because
      the CM is DOS/Windows based and won't work in other environments 
      such as Netware or OS/2.


   Locking the configuration
   =========================
 
      Every time you add a Plug and Play device to the computer, the 
      Plug and Play software re-analyzes the system and may assign a 
      new I/O address (or other system resource) to the Plug and Play 
      devices you've already installed.
	 
      In most cases, this isn't a problem. But when you have more than 
      one EtherExpress PRO/10 adapter installed, the network driver uses
      the I/O address to identify each adapter. If Plug and Play assigns 
      a new I/O address to the old adapter, the network driver won't be 
      able to find the adapter.

      To make your adapter's I/O address permanent, use the Configuration
      Manager's ISA Configuration Utility (ICU) to lock the configuration.

  
   Changing the configuration 
   ==========================

      If you don't want to accept the configuration settings that 
      the PnP BIOS or PnP CM chose for the adapter, you can disable 
      Plug and Play on the adapter and configure the adapter yourself.
      You need to do disable Plug and Play if you're running OS/2, 
      Windows NT, or a NetWare server.

      1.  Insert the Configuration disk into a drive, switch to that
	  drive, and type SOFTSET2.

      2.  From the main menu, select CHANGE ADAPTER CONFIGURATION.

      3.  Select ADVANCED OPTIONS, then PLUG AND PLAY, then DISABLE.
	  
      4.  Return to the Change Adapter Configuration menu, select the 
	  configuration settings you want, and press F10 to save those 
	  settings. 


   Troubleshooting
   ===============

      If Plug and Play doesn't seem to be working, SoftSet2 can help you
      isolate your problem. 

      From the SoftSet2 main menu, select VIEW ADAPTER CONFIGURATION.
      Look for the "Plug and Play version" entry and use the following 
      table to get more information about your computer's Plug and Play 
      configuration.

      "Plug and Play version"    Additional information
      -----------------------    --------------------------------------------
      X.XX                       This is the version number of your PnP BIOS.

      PnP BIOS only              You have a compliant PnP BIOS, but no 
				 Configuration Manager. Contact your computer
				 vendor and see about getting a CM.

      Noncompliant PnP BIOS      Your computer's PnP BIOS isn't Plug and Play 
				 compliant. Contact your computer vendor and
				 see about getting a new, PnP-compliant BIOS.
      -----------------------    --------------------------------------------


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