Unable to change resource settings in Windows XP Device Manager

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This article was previously published under Q315278

For a Microsoft Windows 2000 version of this article, see 269491 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/269491/EN-US/ ) .

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SYMPTOMS

On a computer that is running the Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI) Hardware Abstraction Layer (HAL), you are not able to change a resource setting for a device in Device Manager.

If you modify the resource settings in the BIOS, the changes do not register.

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CAUSE

This behavior occurs because the ACPI HAL controls resource assignments in Windows XP and does not permit user intervention.

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STATUS

This behavior is by design.

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MORE INFORMATION

Microsoft does not recommend that you change the HAL that is installed during the Windows XP Setup process. When you change from the ACPI HAL to the Standard PC HAL, you must reinstall the operating system, and ACPI functionality is lost.

In some rare instances, you may need to have control over a resource assignment. You can manually configure resources in Windows only if you are using Standard PC HAL, and even then you may not be able to configure some devices. The device must support manually setting of resources.

For additional information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

237556 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/237556/ ) How to troubleshoot Windows 2000 Hardware Abstraction Layer issues

252420 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/252420/ ) General description of IRQ sharing in Windows 2000

216251 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/216251/ ) How to specify a specific or third-party HAL during Windows XP setup

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