Confused about PnP
 

Perusing the pre-installation guide for Mandrake 91. I see the following statement:

"... In order for Linux to recognize plug’n’play devices, your BIOS must be configured to initialize them.

... The option to look for is often called PNP OS installed (or Plug’n’Play OS installed). Set this option to No and the BIOS will then initialize any plug’n’play devices... "

So, I'm confused. Linux can recognise PnP devices - great. But you have to switch *off* PnP in the BIOS for it to work? That seems illogical to me, although I may have missed the point.

Can anyone clarify this?

Ben

hi

ya thats confusing but thats how it works. let me explain. plug and play working in linux is different from what it does in windows. in linux you will have to disable that bios option so that linux can configure it in its own way. if you set the bios option it works only for windows and linux has trouble with that.


if you are really curious into hardware stuff like irqs and how this works then ask again and i will let you know a more detailed answer

thanks rahul for your answer which is clear enough without going into the technicalities (another time perhaps). i'll switch it off for my linux install. i do plan to dual boot though, so what do i do with the BIOS after linux is up and running?

ben

hi ben

just leave it off. everything will work just fine. unless you add new devices on a daily basis i dont percieve any problem at all. if any new device doesnt work you can try turning it on. why bother if everything works right? ;-)

regards
rahul