bingle

So I was working on upgrading my HTPC recently - I bought myself a new DVD-ROM drive, a new soundcard, and a new NIC. However, when I installed them, the last two refuse to work - they aren't even seen by Windows. I tried all sorts of install tricks, and I even went as far as to format and install both Win2k Pro and WinXP - neither one worked. Because it's two pieces of hardware, and because it happens even after an OS reinstall, I think it might be motherboard related or something. Anyway, I'm hoping someone here has some clues as to what I should look into. I wouldn't be averse to upgrading my mobo and CPU, but they don't seem to sell SDRAM motherboards any more, and I don't want to buy a whole new set of RAM for this machine. So I guess a pointer as to where I could find a single-data-rate motherboard would be welcome, too.

Here are my system specs:

Gigabyte GA-7ZX motherboard
AMD Thunderbird, 800 MHZ CPU
512MB RAM
Toshiba DVD-ROM drive
2 HDDs, one 60 and one 80 GB
ATI All-in-wonder 128
300 watt power supply
Windows 200 Professional

I recently added the following hardware, which doesn't work:
D-Link 10/100 NIC (I was using a 10 Base-T SMC card before)
Turtle Beach Riviera (I was using the AC97 onboard audio)

I tried switching around the PCI slots for the new stuff, still no dice. I have disabled the onboard audio through the BIOS...

Anyone have any suggestions?

Thanks,
Bingle

viper11885

Are they even listed under Device Manager? If not, then that is really weird. I would make sure that the BIOS version is up to date.

I'm not 100% certain on this, but you may need to install the drivers first for the network card before installing the card into the computer. Read the manual. I know that some wireless network cards do this.

jon_264

Have you got something else to try in the PCI slots that you know has worked before? If so that would then rule out a faulty motherboard?

bingle

No, they're not listed under device manager. When I try installing drivers, the NIC drivers install, but the device doesn't start (Code 10, which seems to indicate Windows doesn't think it exists). The sound card drivers won't even install; the hardware wizard sees the INF file but when I load it there are no devices listed. Weird!

Also, these were both OEM products, so I didn't get a manual. I looked online, though, and found no mention of special installation instructions.

Bingle