A method for transferring data on a communication medium between a host computer and a plurality of peripheral devices coupled to the medium at a plurality of first address locations, including first and second peripheral devices at a one of the first address locations. The host computer transmits a plurality of first signals to the one of the first address locations requesting any peripheral devices at the one of the first address locations to transmit data to the host computer. The first peripheral device senses the medium to determine if the medium is currently in use. The second peripheral device senses the medium to determine if the medium is currently in use. The first peripheral device transmit data to the host computer when the medium is not in use. The second peripheral device discontinues the transmission of data when the medium is in use and sets an internal collision flag. The host computer transmits a plurality of second signals, including a second address, to the one of the first address locations, the second address becoming an address for the first peripheral device, and the second address not becoming an address for the second peripheral device, given that the internal collision flag for the second peripheral device is set.