[ The PC Guide | Systems and Components Reference Guide | Motherboard and System Devices | System Resources | Interrupts (IRQs) | IRQ Details By Number ]

IRQ8

IRQ Number: 8

16-Bit Priority: 3

Bus Line: No

Typical Default Use: Real-time clock.

Other Common Uses: None; for system use only.

Description: This is the reserved interrupt for the real-time clock timer. This timer is used by software programs to manage events that must be calibrated to real-world time; this is done by setting "alarms", which trigger this interrupt at a specified time. For example, if you are using an electronic datebook and have it set to pop up screen messages or beep the PC when it is time for a meeting, the software will set a timer to count down to the appropriate time. When the timer finishes its countdown, an interrupt will be generated on IRQ8.

Conflicts: This is a dedicated interrupt line; there should never be any conflicts. If software indicates a conflict on this IRQ, there is a good possibility of a hardware problem somewhere on your system board.

Next: IRQ9

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