Ok here is the problem. I have a bunch of resources on IRQ 9 and I would like to move them around. The main three that I am concerned with is Video, Sound and the NIC are all on IRQ 9. Slots that are open (meaning nothing assigned to them) are 2, 5, 7, 10, 11, and 12. I have turned on the "plug and play" option in the BIOS and gone to Computer Management, double clicked on the resource that I wanted to change (Sound Card), clicked on the resource tab, and the box with the check mark in it prompting "Use automatic settings" is still grayed out. NIC and Video are the same. Do I need to pull all the cards, unistall, and reinstall each, one at a time to be able to assign them on the IRQ's that I want? Assuming that I know 0, 1, 3, 4, 6, 8, 13, 14, and 15 will not change from the normal settings. System time, keyboard, CMOS, ect.

I'm guessing you still should be able to change IRQ settings in Windows along with the CMOS. But the only thing is changing makes Windows a crazy piece of something. It might decide to join the game of musical chairs beware. But I'd say try that. Moving the cards around on the board to see if it makes windows change the IRQ settings without it going crazy. Good Luck

I've heard that all this IRQ sharing occurs thanks to ACPI. Supposedly, if your PC is installed as STANDARD, this problem goes away. I remember in the old days of Windows 98, you can solve the GREYED OUT box problem and assign resources by turning off PCI IRQ Steering. Then you were able to manually assign IRQs. Can this be done in XP?? Anyone?

yep..go to your device manager and under either computer or system devices there is something about the ACPI. You can click properties and change to Standard PC. I had to do this because of ACPI errors that locked up my computer

another way Go to the website for your MOBO and find out which PCI slots share what IRQ settings. work with that when you move the sound and NIC cards.Dont forget that you will have to remove their drivers and the device from device manager first. disabling ACPI will also disable your hibernation/stand by features