Adding A New SCSI Device?

With so many devices available for our computers, how can we not resist adding something new to our computer? Probably by desire if not by need you will be adding some new hardware to you computer system in the near future. There is also a very high likely hood that this device will be SCSI device. Some of the devices which are likely to be SCSI include: CD-Rs, CD-RWs, scanners, tape backups, and many types of removeable media.

To avoid unnecessary cost and frustration you need to determine, does your computer have a place for the new device?

First, do you have a slot or space open in which to put another interface card; such as a SCSI card? To determine this you will have to look inside the computer and see if there are any open slots. If you don't feel comfortable opening and messing around inside the computer, you should get someone who can help you. Once you have determined that you have an open slot; you need to know what kind it is. Those with the black or dark framework around them are the ISA slots. The ones with the white framework are the PCI slots. Once you've looked inside the computer you may find(or already know) that you have an existing SCSI card installed. If you do, then you usually can attach other devices to this one. Many SCSI cards can support up to seven devices. Secondly, do you physically have space in the computer for the device? Is there what is called a bay in which you can add another device? If you do have an open space, then use that. If there are no open spaces, you still can use an external device( of course scanners will be external). Does any existing SCSI card have a place for an external hookup? If the existing card doesn't; then you will need to have an open slot for a new SCSI card.

Thirdly, do you have an open IRQ and address at which to install the new SCSI card? To determine this you will need to go into device manager in Win95 and Win98 or resources in WinNT. Here check for openings at 5, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, or 15. If anyone of these numbers have no listing, it usually means that the IRQ is open to be used. Some SCSI cards can only goto the range between 9 to 12; so be prepared for that. It will not matter whether you choose a card that

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