Debug Script to Test for Windows Sound System Presence (97677)

SUMMARY

Under certain conditions it may be necessary to ensure that MS-DOS recognizes the presence of the Windows Sound System board. The following MS-DOS Debug script can be used to test for the presence of the hardware that ships with Windows Sound System versions 1.0 and 1.0a. The following example assumes that the Base I/O address on the card is set for 530.

1. At the MS-DOS command prompt, type debug. This command starts Debug, a program that allows you to test and debug executable files. When Debug is started, the prompt will be a hyphen (-).
2. Type i 534. This command reads and displays the byte value at the specified port address. If your port address is something other than 530, type i XXX, where XXX represents your port address plus 4. The returned value should be 01.
3. Type o 534 c. This command sends the value of a byte to the specified output port. If your port address is something other than 530, type i XXX, where XXX represents your port address plus 4.
4. Type i 535. This command reads and displays the byte value at the specified port address. If your port address is something other than 530, type i XXX, where XXX represents your port address plus 5. The returned value should be 09.
5. Type i 533. This command reads and displays the byte value at the specified port address. If your port address is something other than 530, type i XXX, where XXX represents your port address plus 3. The returned valued should be 4.

If the returned values are other than those stated above, MS-DOS is not able to sense the presence of the Windows Sound System hardware. You may want to try setting the board at a different port address and see if the Windows Sound System drivers install. If this test fails with the other settings it could be the result of a damaged board or other hardware conflict.