Solved Wireless versus Ethernet Broadband

[KenBaynham]

Thanks for thoughts Maxie I feel a complete idiot.
I think the PCI card you suggest might be worth a try if not to expensive and installation not to complex. Can you recommend one?

 

[maxie]

They are really simple to Install Ken ... Not very expensive either ..

Amazon.co.uk: USB Port Cards: Computers & Accessories

 

[KenBaynham]

Thanks for that Max. I have ordered one (£12.85) it was had 5 star reviews so fingers crossed.

CSL - 4-Port USB 3.0 card PCIe express controller card: Amazon.co.uk: Computers & Accessories

 

[maxie]

Good luck Ken ... Keep us Posted with your progress

 

[KenBaynham]

USB card didn't arrive so tomorrow hopefully.

In the meantime I have discovered the PSU I plugged into the router was for my Hitachi LS 1000 EMCA external hard drive which pokes out 12V OUCH!!. Got to laugh otherwise I'm going to cry. I decided to try the drive on my laptop to see if the PSU had been damaged as well. The drive appeared to power up OK but does not show up as a device. My laptop runs on windows 8.1 and so could this be the problem?

Think I'm going to change my ID to 'Problems'

Best regards Ken

 

[maxie]

Hi Ken .... It is possible it could be the OS ... Did you check in Disk Management ?

 

[KenBaynham]

Sorry to be a nurd Max but how do I do that?

 

[maxie]

Its okay Ken Start search box type >>.Disk Management ...

 

[KenBaynham]

Ahh - right clicked and a list came up.

Looks like Disk 0 could be it. Where do I go from there Max

 

[maxie]

The System Reserved Partition holds the Boot Configuration Database, Boot Manager Code, Windows Recovery Environment and reserves space for the startup files ... So it is not that Ken ...

 

[KenBaynham]

Oh

Can't see how my folly can have damaged the drive so it must be the PSU.

 

[maxie]

More than likely is the PSU Ken ... Hold fire on getting another one though until you can test it on the other Motherboard ...

 

[KenBaynham]

Good advice. Thanks Max.

 

[KenBaynham]

PCI USB card arrived but instructions in German. I tried to unsuccessfully find instructions on line but eventually resorted to customer reviews and although most were favourable several referred to a power cable. The one I received came with only the card, a driver CD and German instructions. Not even a securing screw . I installed the card any way in the vain hope that card derived its power from the PCI Bus but predictably it didn't work.


I contacted Amazon who informed me that because the supplier was third party they could only refund my payment and send a returns labels. They did however offer first class postage on a replacement.


I am tempted to go to Maplins tomorrow but looking at their prices they seem double those on Amazon.


So really no further along. Does anyone know of a reliable supplier that speaks English please.

 

[maxie]

Hi Ken .... Yes it does seem to require a power lead did think it would have came with that ..


Results for pci to usb card

 

[KenBaynham]

Max I have been looking at other cards and all seem to say that the card will run without the power cable but should not be used for heavy power applications e.g. charging mobiles etc.. Thinking maybe it's the installation of the driver which is the problem. Since I cannot get past the windows login do the drivers get installed?

 

[maxie]

Ken does the Computer freeze when the Card is plugged in ? ... It should load to Windows and proceed to Install new Hardware ..

 

[KenBaynham]

I have removed the card and sent it back to the suppliers but I am wondering now if I was hasty.

No my PC didn't freeze it booted up but I had a Bios warning that no keyboard was detected. Then the windows safe start which defaulted to normal start and finally the windows log on screen. I obviously had no control over this process as no keyboard or mouse.

At what stage is the driver for the PCI card installed Max? I had always thought it was when Windows was fully booted.

 

[maxie]

Yes you are right Ken it should have been when Windows was fully booted ... You have PS2 Ports may need to get an Adapter to use them with your USB Keyboard or Mouse ...

 

[KenBaynham]

You are up late tonight Max.

My thoughts were going the same way I think. Are the PS2 ports the round ones we used to use prior to USB? If so I have them and if I understand you correctly adapters are available to convert PS2 to USB and I could get past the log on and then install drivers.