PCI-E network card doesn't work in 1x slot but works in 16x slot?

dirtydog · 24-07-2009, 19:27

Just got a PCI-E ethernet card. Tried it in my sole PCI-E 1x slot and nothing, suspect the card is DOA but just to make sure, I whipped out my graphics card and tried it in the 16x slot (I have onboard graphics too). Turns out the card is fine.

Does this mean my PCI-E 1x slot is dead? Or is there something in the BIOS I need to enable to get it to work?!

Mark · 24-07-2009, 20:15

It very much depends on the board. If it has more than one 16x slot, try the graphics card in the other one and maybe the 1x slot will work. A lot of boards (particularly older ones) share lanes between PCIe sockets so it may just be a conflict.

dirtydog · 24-07-2009, 21:27

This is a mATX board with just one PCI-Ex16 and one PCI-Ex1

Mark · 24-07-2009, 21:32

Fair enough. Unlikely to be that then.

Streeteh · 24-07-2009, 22:01

Only way to find out if it's buggered is to use another PCI-E card in the 1x slot and see if it works i'm afraid. As mark said, it depends from motherboard to motherboard and in earlier PCI-E supporting mobos there were many layers of subtle and unexplainable complications.

24-07-2009, 19:27	#1
dirtydog Long Island Iced Tea Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 221	PCI-E network card doesn't work in 1x slot but works in 16x slot? Just got a PCI-E ethernet card. Tried it in my sole PCI-E 1x slot and nothing, suspect the card is DOA but just to make sure, I whipped out my graphics card and tried it in the 16x slot (I have onboard graphics too). Turns out the card is fine. Does this mean my PCI-E 1x slot is dead? Or is there something in the BIOS I need to enable to get it to work?!

24-07-2009, 22:01	#5
Streeteh Vodka Martini Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Kingston Posts: 862	Only way to find out if it's buggered is to use another PCI-E card in the 1x slot and see if it works i'm afraid. As mark said, it depends from motherboard to motherboard and in earlier PCI-E supporting mobos there were many layers of subtle and unexplainable complications. __________________ PSN & Live! ID: Streeteh

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24-07-2009, 20:15	#2
Mark Screaming Orgasm Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Newbury Posts: 15,194	It very much depends on the board. If it has more than one 16x slot, try the graphics card in the other one and maybe the 1x slot will work. A lot of boards (particularly older ones) share lanes between PCIe sockets so it may just be a conflict.

24-07-2009, 21:27	#3
dirtydog Long Island Iced Tea Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 221	This is a mATX board with just one PCI-Ex16 and one PCI-Ex1

24-07-2009, 21:32	#4
Mark Screaming Orgasm Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Newbury Posts: 15,194	Fair enough. Unlikely to be that then.