Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for configuring PnP devices for a computer operating system by initiating a power on self test (POST) within a computer system for configuring PnP and PCI devices. During the process of configuring PnP and PCI devices, a list is composed of devices that are not absolutely necessary for booting the system (e.g. modem or ethernet controller). While the PCI devices are configured, if the system has no usable IRQ's, POST takes one from a nonessential PnP ISA (Industry Standard Architecture) device in the list, and gives it to the PCI device. The POST operation searches for the presence of a PnP operating system option while progressing through the startup sequence (of bootable media), and activates or deactivates all devices, depending on the type of media being attempted. If the medium is the hard disk (where the PnP operating system option resides), all of the PnP devices in the list are deactivated.

Abstract: A method and system for managing resources required by peripheral devices present within a computer system, the resources selected from a group of resources required for audio, video, pointing device, input, output, memory, and modem devices. A nominal selection of resources is initially associated with a peripheral device present within the computer system. Next, a minimal amount of resources required by the peripheral device to function normally within the computer system is determined, in response to associating the nominal selection of resources with the peripheral device.