PCI Problem, or dead adapter?

[Denamian]

We have been trying to set-up a wireless network in our house. Bought a LynksysWRT54GL router. Set it up, and it worked like a charm on both of our laptops.

Then I opened up my desktop and tried to install the wireless adapter that we bought for it (The WMP54GL). This the point at which things started to go poorly. I was unable to get my computer to detect the new hardware.

SO I tried www.lynksys.com/check (recommended by their automated phone menu system before you can get to a real person). I ran the scan on that site, and it said that all of my Lynksys products were working properly. That being the case, I went back and attempted to detect the adapter as new hardware... to no avail. So I tried a different PCI slot on my computer, as I had never used the 4th slot before. The adapter failed to function in the third slot (which I happen to know for a fact works just fine).

So, I got to thinking... I only really had two possabilities remaining. Either A) the adapted was D.O.A. or B) it is a compatability with my PCI slots.

My motherboard is an ABIT AN8-V 939 NVIDIA nForce4 ATX AMD. Yes, I know that this model has since been discontinued. But I have, as of this date at least, had no problems with mine. In looking up the detailed specs on my motherboard, I was unable to discern what type of PCI slots it actually had... it just says PCI Slots: 3. So I am assuming that they are PCI 2.1.

I looked on the adapter, and it says that it is a PCI 2.2 (which I knew when I bought it). I was hoping that the 2.2 adapter would be reverse-compatable with my 2.1 mobo.

I looked it up google though, and from what I could find there, it seems that a 2.1 adapter will work in a 2.2 mobo... but not the other way around. However, I trust you guys here at HF a little more than I do Random Site X from google... does anyone know if this is true?

What are your educated guesses? Is my adapter DoA? Or is it the PCI issue that is sinking me? (Or something else that I completely missed).

My Computer:

Windows XP Pro
Maxtor DiamondMax 200GB 7200 RPM SATA 1.5Gb/s Hard Drive
LITE-ON 16X DVD±R DVD Burner
ABIT AN8-V 939 NVIDIA nForce4 ATX AMD Motherboard
AMD Athlon 64 3000+ Venice 1.8GHz Socket 939 Single-Core Processor
POWERCOLOR Radeon X800 256MB 256-bit DDR PCI Express x16 Video Card
CORSAIR XMS 2GB 184-Pin DDR SDRAM DDR 400 (PC 3200)
FSP SAGA+ 400R ATX12V 400W Power Supply

 

[Dangman]

Do you have another PC to test that adaptor in? If it doesn't work in that other PC, then the adapter is DOA for sure.

 

[Denamian]

Unfortunatly I do not. The other machines in the house are both laptops.

 

[Dangman]

Do you happen to live near a Fry's? If so, get this $7 wifi adapter (in-store only) and test it out on your system. If it works, then either the Linksys card is incompatible or DOA. If it doesn't work, then it's a compatibility issue.

 

[Denamian]

Unfortunatly we don't have those around here. I live in Washington.

I talked to Linksys tech support and tried everything under the sun that either of us could think of, and eventually they said that they think the card is DOA. So we are getting a new one via RMA. If the new one is dead I am either A) very unlucky. or B) it is in fact the PCI problem.

I'll keep everyone posted

 

[Denamian]

For those that were interested: The verdict is in!

The first adapter was dead.

Got the RMA one today, fiddled around with it, and it works. No lag problems in everquest2, or team fortress 2... did have some minor choppyness issues in warcraft 3, but I think that was due to my port tampering trying to get it so I could host custom games.

All in all. Looks like it's working like a charm.

 

[Dangman]

Good to hear!