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Error Messages, IRQs, and Memory Assignments: Dell™ Latitude™ L400 User's Guide

	Error Messages		Memory Allocations
	Avoiding IRQ Assignment Conflicts		I/O Memory Map

Error Messages

Your application programs, operating system, and the computer itself can identify problems and alert you to them. When this occurs, a message may appear on the computer's display or on an external monitor (if one is attached).

If an error message appears on the display or external monitor, make a note of the message. For an explanation of the message and suggestions for correcting any errors, see Table 1. The messages are listed alphabetically.

NOTE: If the message is not listed in Table 1, see the documentation for the application programs that were running at the time the message appeared or the operating system documentation for an explanation of the message and a recommended action.

Table 1. System Error Messages

Avoiding IRQ Assignment Conflicts

Problems can arise if two devices attempt to use the same interrupt request (IRQ) line. To avoid this type of conflict, check the documentation for the default IRQ line setting for each installed device. Then consult Table 2 to configure the device for one of the available IRQ lines.

NOTES: Installed devices cannot share the same COM port address. The default address of your computer's serial port is COM1. To view IRQ line assignments in the Microsoft® Windows® 98 and Windows Me operating systems, click the Start button, point to Settings, and click Control Panel. Double-click the System icon. Select the Device Manager tab, and then double-click Computer. Windows 2000 handles IRQ assignments automatically. Refer to your Windows 2000 documentation for more information.

Table 2. IRQ Line Assignments

Memory Allocations

Table 3 provides a map of the conventional memory area. When the microprocessor or a program addresses a location within the conventional memory range, it is physically addressing a location in main memory.

NOTE: To view memory allocations in Windows 98, click the Start button, point to Settings, and click Control Panel. Double-click the System icon. Click the Device Manager tab, and then double-click Computer. Windows 2000 handles memory allocations automatically. Refer to your Windows 2000 documentation for more information.

Table 3. Conventional Memory Map

Table 4 provides a map of the upper memory area. Some of these addresses are dedicated to various system devices, such as the system/video basic input/output system (BIOS). Others are available for use by expansion cards and/or an expanded memory manager (EMM).

When the microprocessor or a program addresses a location within the upper memory area, it is physically addressing a location within one of these devices.

Table 4. Upper Memory Map

I/O Memory Map

Table 5 provides a map of memory addresses reserved by the computer for peripheral input/output (I/O) devices. Use the information in Table 5 to determine if the memory address of an external device (such as a PC Card) conflicts with a memory address reserved by the computer.

Check the documentation of the external I/O device to determine its memory address. If a device's memory address conflicts with a memory address reserved by the computer, change the address of the device.

NOTE: To view I/O addresses in Windows 98, click the Start button, point to Settings, and click Control Panel. Double-click the System icon. Click the Device Manager tab, and then double-click Computer. Windows 2000 handles memory allocations automatically. Refer to your Windows 2000 documentation for more information.

Table 5. I/O Memory Map

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