PCI slot doesnt' seem to work. Suggestions?

Question

Hi,
I was trying to install a PCI card (firewire) and it didn't work properly on my old dimension 4500 desktop. The device manager was showing the yellow exclamation mark on the firewire card (as if it didn't find the drivers etc).
However, when I switched the PCI ports, everything went fine. Then I tried other cards, and they too behaved similarly (didn't work on that particular port).
Apart from replacing the motherboard, what other solutions are there to fix this problem?

Thanks.

Answer 1

i believe the circuit from that slot to the motherboard isn't workin properly, don't bother to fix it. unless u have the right tool and understand the circuitry on that board

Answer 2

Nothing. Bad hardware is bad hardware. There is no way to tell what is wrong, a bad wire. To many wires. Not the right electricity/volts. Even if you know exactly what the problem was? Would you take out the hard ware and try to soder on a new PCI slot? (Taking the in the risk you would destroy your whole motherboard) probably not.

If the Motherboard/Computer is was bought recently then maybe you could send it in to dell and they MIGHT try to fix it. But they would probably just replace it.

Answer 3

Unfortunantly, there are none. If the other PCI slots work, use them and if you have to have more, you are going to have to buy a new motherboard. It cannot be fixed by any equipment that the normal person could get their hands on.

Answer 4

Hi. You may have a corroded or dirty contact, but I think removing the card would have cleaned it. You might try putting your soundcard in that slot. They do not use all of the contacts. Good luck!