Users Guide

Using the Resource Configuration Utility 5-7
Lock/Unlock Boards
When you lock an expansion card, the RCU cannot change the resources allocated to
that card. Unlocking the card allows the system to change the resources automatically
as new cards are added. The default for the Lock/Unlock Boards category is Unlocked.
Dell recommends that you keep your cards unlocked so that the RCU can do its job
properly.
NOTE: If changes are made to the hardware or System Setup configuration, locks may
not be maintained.
View Additional System Information Menu
The RCU contains detailed information about the system board and the used and
available resources. The options for the View Additional System Information Menu
category are:
• Board Specifications
• System Specifications
• Used Resources
• Available Resources
The Used Resources and Available Resources options contain detailed information
about resources such as IRQs, DMA channels, and I/O ports, which may be useful if
you need to resolve a resource conflict.
Set Verification Mode Menu
The settings for the Set Verification Mode Menu category are Automatic (the default)
and Manual. When this category is set to Automatic, the RCU automatically checks for
resource conflicts and tries to resolve them. Unless you are technically knowledge-
able, leave this category set to Automatic.
Maintain SCI Files Menu
Each time you use the RCU to configure your system, the system configuration infor-
mation is saved in a .sci file and in system memory. You should save the system
configuration information to a backup file that can be used to restore the information if
the .sci file is damaged or lost. The options for the Maintain SCI Files Menu category
are Open (the default) and Save As.
The Open option creates a backup file that overwrites the existing configuration. The
Save As option allows you to select the filename under which you want the .sci file
saved.