COM port woes - need help

[Medea]

This is my first build, and I'm having problems with com ports.

I have Creative's ModemBlaster PCI installed on the 6th PCI slot, and it keeps installing on COM3. I'm having problems installing Palm Pilot's sync hardware to a serial port which I think - warning: newbie thoughts ahead - is because Palm defaults to COM1 which is conflicting with the modem on COM3.

I also am having problems with the SoundBlaster Live Value card. It's installed on the 4th PCI slot. At first, there was no sound; now, the sound is very low -- Altec Lansing 2-speakers w/sub setup.

I'm going to do a frest re-installation of Windows 98SE and move the cards around but, before I do, I'd like to know if anyone can suggest which PCI slots I should install the sound & modem card and which, of the two, should be installed first.

of the 2 cards, which cards should be in which PCI slot and

 

[PowerJoe]

It makes perfect sense that your modem installs on COM3 - COM1 and COM2 are taken by the on-board serial ports, so COM3 is the first one available to the modem. While it's true that COM3 used to share (read: collide) IRQ4 with COM1, but with PCI COM ports, it's no longer true.

To be on the safe side, I recommend disabling COM2 from the BIOS. That way, it will be free for the modem to use.

Dunno about Live! or PCI slots.

-PJ

 

[DaddyG]

PowerJoe, gave you the scoop on the Comm port IRQ issue. I think that its important for you to determine ALL the IRQ requirements of your system. As a new builder you will gain experience instead of just, moving cards around. Read your manual and check your bios options. Make a list of devices and IRQ requirements. If necessary, do a minimal install with just the Video, then add devices one at a time and monitor/change IRQs if required. When you start with a system full of devices its difficult to no what is conflicting. Some devices/drivers share IRQ's nicely, others simply don't. Try disabling SB16 emulation in Device Manager to help your sound.

 

[GregMal]

Wise advice being given here....many have been through this before.
After I've installed a new M/B and it starts up for the 1st time,
I go into the BIOS 1st, set up the floppies and Harddrives, and
then disable anything I'm not going to use....like COM2, USB, power
management, etc.......it really helps for the OS install...Greg