Solved Cant install PCIe card.

[snapjaw]

I got a wireless adapter for my desktop computer thats PCIe x1. My computer was ordered barebones online so the case and motherboard are not the same make. I think the back slot on the back of my case does not line up well with my PCIe x1 connector on the motherboard.

When I put the card in the bracket does not line up with the screw holes.
If I push card bracket to fit in the holes it looks like it might bend it.
How should I get it to fit?

 

[profdlp]

If you slightly loosen the mounting screws for the back plate of the card you might be able to wiggle it over enough to make it fit. I've seen a lot of cards which didn't want to fit perfectly into certain cases. In some instances I have gone ahead and bent the bracket slightly to make it fit. The key thing here is that it is more important to get good contact with the slot - the back plate is not nearly as big a deal, particularly since you have a wireless adapter and won't actually be plugging anything into it.

See if you have screws at the place marked with the red arrows. Loosen them enough to slide the mounting bracket, then tighten them back down.

 

[bassfisher6522]

That's a nice close up shot of the problem but can we get a few more shots that show the complete inside setup.

 

[snapjaw]

Well I connected it and was able to screw it in without it bending much. But now I cant get it to work. I turned on my computer and ran the CD that came with the adapter but the computer shut down unexpectedly at the end of the installation,

 

[profdlp]

What do you see in Device Manager after restarting?

 

[snapjaw]

My new wireless adapter shows up on device manager and I can even see it try to get a signal but it is very weak and keeps disconnecting. I still dont think my wireless was installed correctly.

 

[profdlp]

What is the card? Did it come with any connection software of its own? Have you run the Network Troubleshooting wizard in Win 7?

 

[snapjaw]

It is a D-Link Xtreme N Desktop PCI Ecpress Adapter. It came with an instalation CD that installs the drivers and an application (D-Link Wireless Connection Manager). I dont even get to the end of the installation before the computer shuts down and I am not able to open the Wireless Connection manager. Windows 7 troubleshooting restarts my adapter and eventually refers me to Windows Help and Support which is just a list of information about wireless networking.

 

[profdlp]

Open up an elevated Command Prompt (right-click it and choose "Run as Administrator"), then run a System File Check by typing in:

sfc /scannow

Let's make sure that your Windows installation is all there. It might not hurt to run a memory test. I would also shut down every unnecessary program and try running the installation for the network adapter again.

 

[snapjaw]

I think I can get through the installation if I run it in Safe Mode. I did it once before but it didn't get good reception.

 

[profdlp]

Did you try any of the other stuff I suggested?

 

[snapjaw]

Im running sfc /scannow right now. What is that supposed to do to my network? And do you think I would have to completly uninstall my old ethernet adapter before I can install this wireless one?

 

[snapjaw]

The scan said "Windows resource protection did not find any integrity violations"

Even in Safe Mode with Networking I can't get to the end of an installation without it shutting down.

 

[snapjaw]

Could I have damaged the card when I touched it? I unscrewed the frame to put on a smaller frame and the card kinda opened up.

I got the first shut down before I even tried installing from the CD. I took out my ethernet adapter and replaced it with the wireless card and I got the shutdown on the first login screen of Windows 7.

 

[profdlp]

What exactly do you mean by "the card kinda opened up"?

 

[snapjaw]

The card bracket, has two screws which attach it to the card. You can unscrew them to change it to a smaller bracket that came with the card. But when you do it all the pieces of the card kinda hang together unless you put the screws back in. But its not like I completely opened up the card.

 

[profdlp]

If you haven't done so already, try completely uninstalling the card in Device Manager (assuming it even got that far), and uninstall all the software related to it. If you have an onboard Network Adapter, try disabling that in the BIOS.

Then give the whole works another shot, leaving the onboard NIC (if any) disabled for now.

It would also help if you listed every step you have taken so far. I know that's a tedious process, but it will save having to ask fifteen questions starting with "Have you tried...".

 

[alphanumeric]

Sometimes when a card won't fit correctly like that, it will pull out of the motherboard slot slightly when you tighten the screw down on the bracket. When that happens some of the contacts don't make a good connection and weird things happen. Personally I just bend the bracket on the card until it lines up with the hole. Once it lines up I then put the screw in it. The short bracket is for low profile cases. Take the retaining screw out, re-seat the card, leave the screw out temporarily, and see if it works. Hopefully nothing got damaged and it will now work. If it works, then see if you can get the bracket to line up correctly so you can put a screw in without the card moving.

 

[snapjaw]

Ive tried disabling my previous adapter, uninstalling & reinstalling the software; in safe mode w/ networking too.

Although I havn't gotten through a complete installation I was able to pick up 3 bars of internet so though it isn't very fast I have internet. I called the tech support for the adapter and they said since device manager recognizes it and I get some signal, the adapter is correctly installed and I might want to pick a wireless adapter thats the same brand as my router for better connection.

Problem is my router recently broke I think. I can get to internet direct through modem but not wireless router. I didn't change any settings on my router and it does not broadcast a network at all anymore.

I ordered another router so I have to wait a few days to get my network up.
I also bought a strong wireless USP adapter the same brand as the router.
I can return the card if I need to.

 

[profdlp]

Good luck with the new router.