CMOS changes necessary to fix game card

Question: When our family purchased a computer a few months ago, it came with a sound card with a built-in game port. Later, I was given a CH Products DualPort Gamecard (Gamecard 3, Automatic). Now, the problem is this: I can remove the configuration for the old game port through the Windows 95 Control Panel and then install the drivers for my new game card, but every time I reload my computer, Windows 95 detects the old game port and deletes the configuration for my new game card. Can you help? —A.D.B.

Answer: Hold on to your joystick, we may have to go CMOS diving.

But first you need to answer this question: Is the old game card built directly into the motherboard? If the answer is yes, you will “have to find some way to disable the port,” explained regular TechnologyTips contributor Jeremy Schmuland. “This is done either in the CMOS, or by changing a jumper on the motherboard.”

You can access the CMOS when you start up your machine. It’s sometimes referred to as “system set-up” or BIOS. Look for a message to appear when you first boot your machine. It usually tells you what key to press to get to the settings.

You may have to consult your system manual to find out how to disable the game port. “If the game port is on the sound card,” added Schmuland, “it can usually be disabled by a jumper on the card.” A jumper is a tiny set of switches on the board itself. Again, you will have to consult your sound card manual to determine the correct settings. “Once disabled,” said Schmuland, “delete the port from the Windows 95 Device Manager and then install and detect the new joystick port.”

To determine what part of the hardware your game port is connected to, simply check where you plug in your joystick. If the joystick is attached to a connector on the same slot as the audio input/output jacks, your game port is on your sound card.

A word of caution: If you discover the game card is attached to your motherboard, don’t tromp through your CMOS settings without a great amount of sensitivity. One wrong move and you can wipe out crucial settings that will cripple your system. By the way, it’s always a good idea for any computer user to keep a copy of their CMOS settings on paper somewhere safe. This is especially important to have on hand before making any changes to the CMOS settings.