How to use Device Manager to configure devices in Windows Server 2003

Article
02/19/2024

This article describes how to use Device Manager to configure the hardware devices that are installed on your Windows Server 2003-based computer.

Applies to: Windows Server 2003
Original KB number: 323423

Summary

Device Manager displays a graphical view of the hardware that is installed on your computer. Use this tool when you want to view and manage hardware devices and their drivers. You must be logged on to the computer as an administrator or as a member of the Administrators group to add or remove devices or to configure device properties in Device Manager.

When you install a Plug and Play device, Windows automatically configures the device so that it works correctly with the other devices that are installed on the computer. During the configuration process, Windows assigns a unique set of system resource settings to the device. The following list describes the four types of resources that a device can use:

Interrupt request (IRQ) line numbers
Direct memory access (DMA) channels
Input/output (I/O) port addresses
Memory address ranges

Each resource that is assigned to a device is given a unique value. Occasionally, a device conflict may occur if two devices require the same resources. If this conflict occurs, you can manually configure the device to assign unique resources to each device. In some situations, depending on the device drivers and the computer, two devices can share a resource (for example, interrupts on Peripheral Component Interconnect [PCI] devices).

When you install a non-Plug and Play device, Windows doesn't automatically configure resource settings for the device. Depending on the type of device, you may have to manually configure these settings. Before you do so, either contact the hardware manufacturer, or see the documentation that is included with the device for more information.

Typically, Windows identifies devices and their resource requests, and then automatically gives the resource settings for your hardware. In most situations, you don't have to modify resource settings for your hardware. Don't change resource settings for a Plug and Play device unless it's necessary. When you manually configure a resource, the setting is fixed. So Windows can't modify resource assignments if that is required, and Windows can't assign that resource to another device.

How to configure a device in Device Manager

To configure a device in Device Manager, follow these steps.

Important

Use caution when you configure resource settings for a device. If you configure resources incorrectly, you can disable your hardware, and you can cause your computer to stop working. Change resource settings only when you are sure that the settings that you want to use are unique and don't conflict with settings for other devices, or when a hardware manufacturer has provided you with specific resource settings for a device.

Sign in to your computer as an administrator or as a member of the Administrators group.
Select Start, point to Administrative Tools, and then select Computer Management.
Under System Tools in the console tree, select Device Manager.

The devices that are installed on your computer are listed in the right pane.
Double-click the type of device that you want to configure--for example, Ports (COM & LPT).
Right-click the device that you want to configure, and then select Properties.
Select the Resources tab.
Click to clear the Use automatic settings check box.

Note

The Use automatic settings check box is unavailable and appears dimmed, both on devices for which there are no other settings to configure and on devices that are controlled by Plug and Play resources and which do not require user modification.
In the Settings based on box, select the hardware configuration that you want to modify--for example, Basic configuration 0000.
Under Resource type in the Resource settings box, select the type of resource that you want to modify--for example, Interrupt Request.
Select Change Setting.
In the Edit Resource dialog box, type the value that you want for the resource, and then select OK.
Repeat steps 8 through 11 to configure the resource settings that you want for the device.
Quit Device Manager.

How to view resource settings in Device Manager

To view a list of resources and the devices that are using them by type or by connection, follow these steps:

Select Start, point to Administrative Tools, and then select Computer Management.
Under System Tools in the console tree, select Device Manager.

The devices that are installed on your computer are listed in the right pane. The default view lists devices by type.
Use one of the following methods:
- To view a list of resources by type, select Resources by type on the View menu.
- To view a list of resources by connection type, select Resources by connection on the View menu.

Use Device Manager to search for device conflicts

A device conflict occurs when the same resources are given to two or more devices. Use Device Manager to search for device conflicts. To do so, follow these steps:

Select Start, point to Administrative Tools, and then select Computer Management.
Under System Tools in the console tree, select Device Manager.

The devices that are installed on your computer are listed in the right pane.
Double-click the type of device that you want to test--for example, Sound, video and game controllers.
Right-click the device that you want to test for conflicts, and then select Properties.
Select the Resources tab.

Any conflicts that exist for the device are listed under Conflicting device list.

Windows Hardware Troubleshooter

Use the Windows Hardware Troubleshooter to help you troubleshoot and resolve a hardware conflict or other hardware-related issues. To start the Hardware Troubleshooter, follow these steps:

Sign in to your computer as an administrator or as a member of the Administrators group.
Select Start, point to Administrative Tools, and then select Computer Management.
Under System Tools in the console tree, select Device Manager.

The devices that are installed on your computer are listed in the right pane.
Double-click the type of device that you want to troubleshoot--for example, Modems.
Right-click the device that you want to troubleshoot, and then select Properties.
Select the General tab.
Select Troubleshoot.

References

For more information about how to manage devices by using Device Manager, see Error codes in Device Manager in Windows

Data collection

If you need assistance from Microsoft support, we recommend you collect the information by following the steps mentioned in Gather information by using TSS for deployment-related issues.