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Problems With Logical Device Names

Most of the problems that arise with the use of logical device names occur when devices are added or removed from the system. The most common problem is software that will refuse to work because the logical device name assigned to a physical device has changed, as a result of a device being added to or removed from the system.

Most software refers to a device by its name such as "LPT1". However, the names are assigned dynamically by the BIOS at boot time, when it searches your system to see what hardware it has. If you originally had "LPT1" at 378-37Fh and you add a new parallel port and give it the address 3BC-3BFh, then the new one will now be LPT1 and your old port will become LPT2. This is because, as mentioned before, the ports are labeled dynamically based on a predefined search order, and 3BC is looked at first. If this happens, all of your software that used to print to LPT1 will now print to LPT2, and you will either have to switch the devices' connections to the PC, or change the software.

Next: Memory Addresses and Device BIOSes

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