Hardware Reference
In-Depth Information
Problems with Adapter Cards
Problems related to add-in boards are usually related to improper board installation or re-
source conflicts. Also be sure to check drivers for the latest versions and ensure that the
card is compatible with your system and the operating system version you are using.
Sometimes adapter cards can be picky about which slot they are running in. Despite the
fact that, technically, an adapter should be able to run in any slot in which it fits, there
can be subtle timing, signal or specification differences between slots that otherwise ap-
pear to be the same. I have found on numerous occasions that simply moving a card from
one slot to another can make a failing card begin to work properly. Sometimes moving a
card works just by the inadvertent cleaning (wiping) of the contacts that takes place when
removing and reinstalling the card, but in other cases I can duplicate the problem by in-
serting the card back into its original slot.
Caution
Note that PCI andPCI Express cards become slot specific after their drivers are installed. By
this I mean that if you move a card to another slot, the system sees it as if you have removed
one card and installed a new one. You therefore must install the drivers again for that card.
Don't move a card to a different slot unless you are prepared with all the drivers at hand to
perform the driver installation.
Top Troubleshooting Problems
These are some of the most frequently asked troubleshooting questions I receive, along
with the solutions that typically address them.
When I power the system on, I see the power LED light and hear the fans spin, but nothing else ever
happens
ThefactthattheLEDsilluminateandfansspinindicatesthatthepowersupplyispartially
working,butthatdoesnotexcludeitfrombeingdefective.Thisisaclassic“dead”system,
which can be caused by almost any defective hardware component. In my experiences
I've had more problems with power supplies than most other components, so I recom-
mend immediately using a multimeter to measure the outputs at the power supply con-
nectors and ensure they are within the proper 5% tolerances of their rated voltages. Even
if the voltage measurements check out, you should swap in a high-quality, high-power,
known-good spare supply and retest. If that doesn't solve the problem, you should revert
tothebootstrapapproachImentioned earlier,whichistostripthesystemdowntojustthe
chassis/powersupply,motherboard,CPU(withheatsink),onebankofRAM(oneDIMM),
and a video card and display. If the motherboard now starts, begin adding the components
you removed one at a time, retesting after each change. If the symptoms remain, use a
