Why cannot we have PCI riser cards, where lies the impediment . .?

Question

I work with some old workstations and they use ISA slots
a couple of them do have PCI slots too, but unused
only ISA cards are used and quite a few at that, hence all have riser cards > as the number of cards is greater than the slots available on mo-board

Saw a question sometime back,
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20070912121914AAOwZqf&r=w&pa=AptqD2bwHTHf5.GGYqA.vrAfb.MdYjL9iWgQDs_F28Dv1A--&paid=voted

i was pretty much tempted to answer that
but suggesting riser cards, but then saw the heavy-weights answer otherwise ... saved me the blushes, lol

now if ISA riser cards possible, why not PCI

An awesome answer Philip !

So very nice to see you back on yahoo answers, and believe me this forum is much poorer without you !

Now, if you could please post in comments, these indeed do exist as pointed out by the other answerer.
http://www.globalamericaninc.com/backplanes/riser_bp.php#PCI
Does the second slot even work in these cards at all

Answer 1

The primary reason by today's standards is that unlike most ISA cards (which used "forced" resources via jumpers) PCI cards rely on OS (as well as BIOS ... on most all mainboards)plug & play resource assignment.

This means that you would require a mainboard that can "detect " multiple PCI devices on a single slot ...... toooooo complicated, pal.

Yes, there are several other valid reasons why, however, all said & done even if the global manufacturers wanted to produce a "true" PCI riser card (as you mean it) .... this is the brick wall that prevents it from happening in terms of a universal device that does not require any specially engineered busline or BIOS.

sincere regards,
(your friend)
Philip T

Answer 2

Because its not very practical in a cost effective manner for businesses or the average consumer ;-)

ISA Riser Cards
http://www.globalamericaninc.com/backplanes/riser_bp.php

PCI Riser Cards
http://www.globalamericaninc.com/backplanes/riser_bp.php
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