Baslinux mailing list

[qwms-avib AT dea.spamcon.org]

James Miller wrote:
> 
> Isapnp seems to offer a form of software configuration 
> for ISA cards, which was, apparently, the way the 
> computer industry was moving

I could be wrong, but I seem to recall that MicroSoft was
instrumental in developing Plug'n'Play.  It was part of
their program to make Windows suitable for idiots.

> (and away from physical jumpering) 

I like physical jumpering.  If you know what you are doing, 
it is completely reliable (unlike Plug'n'Pray).  I have 
owned a dozen different 486s and have never needed PnP for 
any of them.  

> The card I was trying to configure had no physical 
> jumpers, but was configurable (varying IO's/IRQ's) 
> using a DOS utility.  

That is an advantage of booting BasicLinux from DOS.  
If DOS configuration is necessary, it can be done before 
executing loadlin.exe.

> Seems like isapnp tools might have allowed me to make 
> those configurations under Linux. 

If you really want to try it, you will find the package
in /slakware/a3

> I likewise have some older smc-ultra cards with jumpers 
> for a couple sets of IO/IRQ settings, but also a setting 
> for "software configuration.

I would *definitely* use the jumper for IO/IRQ.  It's
simple, clean and definite.

> So, I'm just wondering; have you looked into isapnp 
> tools, Steven?  

Nope.  Nor have I looked into kerneld (which automatically 
installs modules).  I prefer hands-on configuration, rather 
than depending on some wizard to do it for me.
  
> Would it be a useful thing to have installed on a BL 
> system? 

IMO no.  However, if you have a piece of hardware that
absolutely needs it, then it could be useful for you.

Cheers,
Steven