How-to Quick Reference -- System Resources and Plug-and-Play -- Understanding System Resources -- Interrupts -- Interrupt Sharing Problems -- DMA Channels -- I/O Space -- Memory Space -- Index of Typical Resource Assignments -- Bringing Order to Chaos -- Legacy Devices -- Legacy Devices and the Operating System -- Weaning Off Legacy Devices -- The Role of Plug-and-Play (PnP) -- Plug-and-Play Devices -- The Inside Details -- Detection vs. Enumeration -- ESCD Basics -- Checking for Plug-and-Play -- The BIOS -- The Devices -- The Operating System -- Controlling Plug-and-Play -- System Design and Plug-and-Play -- Getting Started with Configuration Management -- Device Manager -- System Information -- Hardware Resources -- Components -- Software Environment -- Software Information Tools -- Plug-and-Play Under DOS and Windows 3.1x -- Enabling PnP in the Real-Mode -- The PnP Configuration Manager -- The PnP Configuration Utility -- Blaster Variables and PnP -- Potential Problems with Generic PnP Configuration Software -- Potential Problems with Manufacturer's PnP Software -- Handling PnP Configuration Issues -- Installing Plug-and-Play Support -- Basic Installation -- Running CTCM Manually -- Running CTCU Manually -- PnP Cards -- Reconfiguring Resources -- Testing new Resources -- Legacy Cards -- System Devices -- PCI Devices -- Tips for Installing PnP Configuration Software -- Tips for DOS Installations -- Tips for Windows 3.1x Installations -- Typical PnP Software Issues -- General Configuration Manager Software Issues -- General ICU Software Issues -- Resource Conflicts Under DOS -- Confirming and Resolving Conflicts -- Dealing with Software Conflicts -- Dealing with Hardware Conflicts -- Plug-and-Play Under Windows 95/98 -- Installing Legacy Devices -- Automatic Legacy Installation -- Manual Legacy Installation -- Installing PnP Devices -- Fully Automatic Installation -- Semiautomatic Installation -- Alternate Installation -- Manual Installation -- Running an Autodetection -- Manual Installation with Specific Setup Utilities -- Updating and Managing PnP Devices -- Updating Device Drivers -- Updating Modems/Drivers Manually -- Updating Video Adapters/Drivers Manually -- Updating Printers Manually -- Disabling a PnP Device -- Removing a PnP or Legacy Device -- Checking Resource Assignments -- Changing Resource Assignments -- Legacy Notes -- Managing USB Devices Under Windows 98 -- Getting Started with USB -- Enabling USB -- Connecting and Disconnecting USB Devices -- Using a USB Hub -- Powered vs. Unpowered Hubs -- Managing Infrared Devices Under Windows 98 -- Understanding Infrared Monitor -- Placing IrMon in the System Tray -- Enabling/Disabling Infrared Communication -- Enabling/Disabling Infrared Plug-and-Play -- Reporting Infrared Communication Status with Sounds -- Searching for Infrared Devices -- PC Plug-and-Play Troubleshooting -- Standard Conflict Troubleshooting -- Getting Started -- Device Listed Only Once -- Device Listed Twice -- Resource Settings Appear -- Manual Button Appears -- There Is No Resources Tab -- More Than One Conflict Is Listed -- Only One Conflict Is Listed -- No Conflicts Are Listed -- The Device Is Conflicting -- Only One Device Is Conflicting -- More Than One Device Is Conflicting -- There Is a Free Setting -- All Other Settings Conflict -- Resource Settings Cannot Be Modified -- There Is More Than One Conflict -- There Is Only One Conflict -- Disable Conflicting Hardware -- Resources Now Set Without Conflicts -- Some Resources Are Still Conflicting -- Disable the Unneeded Device -- All Devices Are in Use -- Resource Information Is Available -- Resource Information Is Not Available -- Manual Button Not Available -- Free Resources Are Found -- No Free Resources Are Available -- Free Setting Is Found -- No Free Setting Found -- Disable Original Conflicting Device -- Disable Other Conflicting Device -- Disable the Other Device -- Remove the Other Device -- There Are Still Some Conflicts -- Troubleshooting PnP-Based Problems -- PnP BIOS Symptoms -- Standard PnP Symptoms -- Infrared Symptoms Under Windows 98 -- USB Symptoms -- BIOS Update Guide -- Flashing the BIOS -- A Basic Flash Procedure -- Troubleshooting BIOS Upgrades -- CMOS Settings for PCI and PnP -- Plug-and-Play ID Code Table -- PC Preventive Maintenance -- Glossary and Acronyms.

The only user-level guide to Plug and Play, this handy, detailed text/CD-ROM package provides you with all the authoritative, step-by-step guidance you need to understand, install, maintain, and troubleshoot PC-based Plug-and-Play devices.

Best-selling computer guru Steve Bigelow gives you an essential understanding of PnP devices and their role in minimizing conflicts caused by the addition of peripherals to PCs. You'll learn how to install, update, and manage PnP devices under DOS, Windows 95, and Windows 98, as well as how to identify and deal with the full range of hardware and software conflicts. You'll find a comprehensive PC PnP troubleshooting section that offers you systematic, easy-to-follow advice on everything from handling dozens of standard conflicts to troubleshooting numerous PnP-based problems.

Featuring a How-To Quick Reference that enables you to troubleshoot specific problems and carry out particular procedures in a snap, The Plug & Play Book is your one-stop guide to maximizing the problem-solving advantages of PnP technology, whether you're a novice or experienced PC technician.