Changing IRQS

I'm trying to fix up an old P3 system... It has all SLOT IRQ'S set to "AUTO" in the bios. I didn't notice that earlier but after installing XP I noticed there's a bunch of shared IRQ'S specifically #9, for almost every add on pci card.

I CAN change the auto setting in the bios for each pci slot to whatever # I want. Can I change IRQ'S in the bios without having to reinstall WINDOWS XP?

ALSO IS THERE A WAY TO CHANGE THE AGP IRQ? I don't see a setting for it in the bios.


Thanks

 

I have maybe done this one time on an old computer. I changed the IRQ in Device Manager but you have to be careful for conflicts.

http://www.helpwithpcs.com/upgrading/change-irq-settings.htm

 

Depends on what is using IRQ#9. It could be the same object using that same interrupt, but with XP, it just does not use it at the same time. What XP does, is reserve that interrupt for the common object that needs that interrupt, regardless what the device is.

What exactly is it devices wise, is wanting to reserve that particular interrupt?

 

Put it this way... The sound card, usb card, sata card, and network card are all sharing IRQ 9. That can't be good which is why I asked if I need to reinstall XP after setting manual IRQ's in the bios.

 

As brownizs posted, XP is very good at allocating IRQ's automatically on a as needed basis. If you do not notice any performance issues, I would let XP handle it. I only had to assign an IRQ once with XP and that was installing a non plug and play scsi card for a ZIP drive.