# Creating a configuration file, PNPENABL.CFG

| Use the `[free]` parameter carefully as it can cause a resource that is inuse to be reused. If this happens, system conflicts can occur.

If you run PNPENABL.EXE from the DOS prompt or part of AUTOEXEC.BAT or CONFIG.SYS, it only detects IRQs that are used if the driver for that device is already loaded. Therefore, run PNPENABL once all the drivers have been loaded.

If this is not possible, create a configuration file to reserve or free resources for other devices.

To create a configuration file:

1. In the directory where PNPENABL.EXE is located, use a text editor to create a file called PNPENABL.CFG

2. Edit the PNPENABL.CFG using the format: `[section-name]` is `[IO], [IRQ], [DMA]`.
   `[free]` indicates that you want to make the resource available and [used] indicates that you want to make it unavailable. If neither is specified for a resource, the default is `[used]`.

   When creating PNPENABL.CFG, note the following:

   - Specify I/O addresses in hexadecimal, the IRQ and DMA channel in decimal.

   - Include comments in the PNPENABL.CFG file by preceding them with a ';' character.

   - Type strings in upper or lower case. Use spaces, tabs, and blank lines freely.

   - Specify ranges as shown below. The left hand number of the pair MUST be less than or equal to the right hand number:

     `[used]
     1234-2345`

     or

     `[free]
     1234-2345`

3. Save PNPENABL.CFG

4. At the DOS prompt type: PNPENABL [ENTER]