Abstract: A computer system (10) includes a plurality of hot-plug sockets (30-33), each of which can be selectively uncoupled from a bus (59) during normal system operation, in order to facilitate insertion or removal of module (36). A clock signal (PCLK) is generated at one of two different frequencies, and at system power-up a clock arbitration circuit (47) is responsive to modules which are present for specifying a speed of the clock signal. A hot-plug controller circuit (18) can selectively uncouple one of the hot-plug sockets from the bus during normal operation to facilitate insertion or removal of a module, and also facilitates a determination of whether clock speed requirements of an inserted module are compatible with the current clock speed. The selected socket is recoupled to the bus only if the inserted module is compatible with the current clock speed.