Help! Can't install PCI Card!

[tjmaxwell]

Alright, I'm at the end of my rope here. I bought the Beyond TV/Hauppauge 250 bundle from StapStream, but I simply can't get the PCI TV tuner card to seat properly. I just got a new PC the other day, and I opened it up to install this card, along with a PCI WiFi card in my Asus SK8V motherboard. I have two open PCI slots, and am able to install the WiFi card in either one without issue. However, the Hauppauge card simply will not go in. I can get the right-most "prong" to go in all the way, but the left and center "prongs" won't go in. I've spent several hours jiggling/shifting/pushing/adjusting the card to get it in, but it's no use. I know it's hard to provide support on just installing a PCI card, but is there something simple I'm missing or forgetting to do? I'm not a newbie to installing PCI cards, and as I said, the Wifi card installs as easy as pie in either slot. I've tried both slots with the Hauppauge card to no avail.

Incidentally, I notice my WiFi card only has two "prongs" while the 250 card has three. The PCI slots on my motherboard only have two. Could this have something to do with my installation problem? By prongs, I'm talking about the connection areas that actually slide into the PCI slot. There appears to be room for all three prongs, but it won't budge. Any help would be appreciated. I'm really frustrated right now.

 

[imported_michaelpatrick33]

odd. How long is the front metal clip for the hauppauge card. sometimes the front metal clip prevents a full seating of the pci card. Also, long shot, make sure the hauppage card is a pci 32bit 33mghrtz card and not a 64bit or 66mgtrz card. Only things i can think of.

 

[Shooters]

The number of "prongs" doesn't matter, as long as it's a PCI card then it should fit.

The problem is most likely with the backplane, the metal bracket on the card that attaches to the case. Look at the end of it that points the same way as the "prongs". You'll notice that the backplane is skinnier there. That skinny part goes into a slot in your case (behind the motherboard panel) to help hold the card in place. Sometimes that part doesn't line up with the slot, so you'll need to bend it a little. Look down into your case while installing the card and you'll see what I'm talking about.

 

[MichaelD]

Originally posted by: Shooters
The number of "prongs" doesn't matter, as long as it's a PCI card then it should fit.

The problem is most likely with the backplane, the metal bracket on the card that attaches to the case. Look at the end of it that points the same way as the "prongs". You'll notice that the backplane is skinnier there. That skinny part goes into a slot in your case to help hold the card in place. Sometimes that part doesn't line up with the slot, so you'll need to bend it a little. Look down into your case while installing the card and you'll see what I'm talking about.

Teh Winnar!!!! Guaranteed that's the problem. This is one of those things that we ALL learn the hard way. I remember scratching my head and throwing stuff around out of frustration w/this same problem. Only took me two hours to figure it out. That's before I found this place, of course.

 

[tjmaxwell]

All hail the kings at Anandtech. I felt like an idiot coming here and asking how to install a PCI card, but you guys never let me down. Sure enough, I just needed to bend the little metal tip on the card and it slid right in. I really owe you guys. I was about ready to send the whole thing back and get an inferior and more expensive USB solution. Thanks!