So my brothers computer is a Compaq...Was trying to hook him up to broadband internet connection...so I got a Network card...when I opened up the tower...I saw that there were no PCI slots on the motherboard. Do you know what I should do?
2006-08-11 14:08:55 · 6 answers · asked by stephiestrobel 2 in Computers & Internet ➔ Hardware ➔ Desktops
buy a new computer that has more expansion slots for PCI. Also avoid PCI, look for PCIe. PCI is already old technology and i dont know why computer manufacturers still use PCI on their computers.
Also heres a tip:
If its a really cheap computer it may still be using technology from before NOT modern technology,also AVOID Intel Celeron and AMD Sempron. Those are only good for VERY basic computing and no matter what speed keep away from these processors. it is cheap,but does not have good performance.
2006-08-11 14:27:12 · answer #1 · answered by compy_500 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If there is not a slot for the Network Card than, he will need a newer motherboard, or cheaper way is a newer computer... You change the motherboard then you run into alot of complications, such as Windows XP will not activate, the motherboard is the first step Xp Recognizes when activation occurs, and alot of changes and expenses to upgrade the MBoard. If he has Windows 98 "which it sounds like that is what he has", all newer computers come with the extra slots ready for more hardware....
Try A new computer, Problem Solved........ Good Luck
2006-08-11 21:15:24 · answer #2 · answered by Devil Dog 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have never heard of a motherboard with absolutely no PCI slots. There may be a dial-up modem already installed in one of the PCI slots. You can take that one out and put in the ehternet card. If there really are no PCI slots, then I would take back the ethernet network card and also go buy a different computer that is upgradeable.
2006-08-11 21:15:19 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Some older motherboards don't come with any open slots. Depending on what are in the other slots you may be able to remove one of those. Example: A modem that you won't use anymore if using broadband.
2006-08-11 21:11:26 · answer #4 · answered by slow_play69 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If the computer is really, really old, it might have ISA slots instead of PCI slots (they look similar, but the ISA connector is much bigger). You can still buy ISA network cards (try searching google for "ISA network card").
If it doesn't have any slots at all, but it does have a USB port, then you can get a USB network adapter (here try searching for "USB ethernet").
Either of these kinds of network adapter will run you about $25.
2006-08-11 23:58:04 · answer #5 · answered by spongyform 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Buy a usb or firewire, network device
2006-08-11 21:13:03 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋