List of Hardware Devices and Common I/O Base Address Conflicts

 Last reviewed: March 12, 1996
Article ID: Q111019
The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Windows for Workgroups versions 3.1 and 3.11

SUMMARY

When you install a network adapter card, sound card, or other hardware adapter, you typically have to choose an input/output (I/O) base address. If the base address you choose for your network adapter card is currently being used by another hardware adapter card, Protocol Manager may report an unsuccessful binding, or your system may stop responding (hang).

This article provides a list of I/O base addresses that may already be in use on your system and what hardware devices use them.

NOTE: Most network adapter cards have the default I/O base address 300.

MORE INFORMATION

The I/O base address for each hardware adapter card installed on your system must be unique to avoid potential problems. Before you install your network adapter card, you should know which I/O base addresses are currently in use by existing hardware adapter cards installed in your system. I/O base addresses are typically set using jumpers on the card or using a software configuration program in EPROM.

The following list shows I/O base address ranges commonly used by hardware devices (other than network adapter cards) and what I/O base address they would conflict with.

The I/O base address list does not list all available I/O base address. In addition, some of these addresses may not be supported by your network adapter card. For more information on I/O base addresses supported by your network adapter card, consult your hardware documentation or contact the network adapter card vendor.

Potential conflicting devices and their I/O base addresses: 

                                                      Potential I/O Base
   Device                              Range Used       Address Conflict
   ---------------------------------------------------------------------
   Game Controller                      200-20F               200
   Expansion unit                       210-217               200
   LPT3:                                278-27F*              260
   LCD display on Wyse 2108 PC                                280
   COM4                                 2E8-2EF               2E0
   COM2                                 2F8-2FF               2E0
   XT Hard drives                                             320
   LPT2:                                378-37F*               360
   Secondary Bi-Sync interface          380-38C               380
   Primary Bi-Sync interface            3A0-3A9               3A0
   Monochrome Display/Printer Card      3B0-3BF               3A0
   LPT1:                                3BC-3BF*               3A0
   EGA Adapter                          3C0-3CF               3C0
   CGA Display                          3D0-3DF               3C0
   COM3                                 3E8-3EF               3E0
   Floppy Controller                    3F0-3F7               3E0
   COM1-Asynchronous Communications     3F8-3FF               3E0
NOTE: Some video cards use I/O base address 320. If you are using I/O base address 320 for your network adapter card and are experiencing problems, try a different I/O base address.

* These addresses are for older PS/2 computers. ISA computers use the 

  following address ranges:

     Device   Range Used
     -------------------
     LPT1:    378-37F
     LPT2:    278-27F
     LPT3:    3BC-3BF
The information in this article can also be found on page 20 of the SMC Elite 16 network card manual.

KBCategory: kbnetwork kbdisplay kbsound kbhw
KBSubcategory: wfw wfwg
Additional reference words: 3.10 3.11 nic interface board boards

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Last reviewed: March 12, 1996
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