PARTIAL_ADDRESS_DECODING_FINAL.doc

Windows Platform Design Notes Designing Hardware for the Microsoft( Windows( Family of Operating Systems Partial Address Decoding and I/O Space in Windows Operating Systems Abstract: Hardware devices that decode only part of an address prevent the use of address space by other devices, because the operating system must block other devices from claiming any address that might potentially be claimed by the device that is decoding only part of the address. This paper describes how partial address decoding affects the allocation of I/O space to devices on Windows operating systems and recommends ways to avoid problems associated with partial address decoding. Disclaimer: The information contained in this document represents the current view of Microsoft Corporation on the issues discussed as of the date of publication. Because Microsoft must respond to changing market conditions, it should not be interpreted to be a commitment on the part of Microsoft, and Microsoft cannot guarantee the accuracy of any information presented. This document is for informational purposes only. MICROSOFT MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, IN THIS DOCUMENT. Microsoft Corporation may have patents or pending patent applications, trademarks, copyrights, or other intellectual property rights covering subject matter in this document. The furnishing of this document does not give you any license to the patents, trademarks, copyrights, or other intellectual property rights except as expressly provided in any written license agreement from Microsoft Corporation. Microsoft does not make any representation or warranty regarding specifications in this document or any product or item developed based on these specifications. Microsoft disclaims all express and implied warranties, including but not limited to the implied warranties or merchantability, Fitness for a particular purpose and freedom from infringement. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Microsoft does not make any warran