Epson
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Using hardware interrupts with ISA and PCI boards

Purpose
This document contains information on using hardware interrupts with ISA and PCI boards in EPSON RC+ systems.

Use PCI boards that can share interrupts
When using PCI boards that require interrupts, make sure that the driver supports shared interrupts.  In some cases, you may need to get the latest driver that supports shared interrupts.

Reserve ISA interrupt in the BIOS
When using an ISA board that requires an interrupt, always make sure that you set the interrupt to "ISA" (sometimes called "Legacy") in the PC BIOS.  This will prevent PCI boards from being assigned to the interrupt, which will cause malfunction.

ISA boards generally cannot share interrupts simultaneously
Unless there is a driver that specifically supports the same interrupt for multiple boards of the same type, ISA boards cannot share interrupts.  One exception is when the boards are used at different times.  For example, a modem using Comm3, interrupt 4 can be used when EPSON RC+ is shut down and Comm1 (also using interrupt 4) is not being used.

Interrupts used by EPSON RC+ components

The table below shows the interrupts used by EPSON RC+.
 
 Component  Bus  Device  Interrupt #
 MIB Board  ISA  Vsrcmng  IRQ 10
 Comm1  ISA  Serial  IRQ 4
 Comm2  ISA  Serial  IRQ 3
 Vision Board  PCI  Meteor2*  Determined at boot time
 
* The vision board device name depends on the frame grabber being used

Use components on the EPSON RC+ Hardware Compatibility List
To help ensure proper operation, always try to use hardware components that are on the EPSON RC+ HCL.   The HCL can be found on the www.robots.epson.com web site under Technical Support.  For example, if you want to install a modem, use a modem that is on the HCL.  Sometimes during testing, components have caused failure after operating for a long period of time, so it is important to take advantage of the testing that has already been done by Epson America, Inc.

Troubleshooting
If you suspect an interrupt problem:
  • Open the Windows NT Diagnostics dialog from Start | Administrative Tools.
  • Click the Resources tab, then click the IRQ button.
  • Verify that all ISA interrupts are unique, unless they are not used simultaneously, as described earlier in this document.
  • To see all interrupts being used, you will need to start the applications that use the interrupts.  For example, you will not see the interrupts used by EPSON RC+ unless it is running.
  • If there is a conflict, change the interrupt number on one of the conflicting boards.  Make sure that the interrupt is reserved for ISA if it is used on an ISA board.  If it is a PCI board, make sure that the driver supports shared interrupts.
  • If the component you are having trouble with is not on the EPSON RC+ HCL (see above), then replace it with one that is.  In many cases, the cost of the new board is much less than the time spent on trying to get the original board to work.