:O I have an unusal problem with an NEC PC with an intel 915 chipset and Gigabyte GA 8I915PM motherboard, whereby windows cannot detect either the installed PCI cards or the network card (which is integreated with the motherboard), although these are clearly identifiable in the BIOS. The PC is installed with windows XP pro The problem originated when windows refused to boot for no apparent reason (it had been working all of the previous day without problem and the ethernet port was connected directly to a router. It shut down without fuss) and I had to boot into the recovery console to fix the MBR. This allowed me access back into windows but resulted in the current problem. I have tried resetting the BIOS to its default values and have flashed the BIOS with the latest update from the NEC website, but the result remains the same. Anything plugged into USB or other ports works without problem The devices are not shown at all in device manager, as if they are not installed, and all other motherboard functions work without problem (ie PCI express graphics, USB, Firewire, COM ports). Forcing the PC to install drivers for these devices does nothing as this just leaves the device driver with the yellow exclamation mark next to the device in device manager. I have tried to use the add new hardware wizard but it is as though there is nothing to detect. The devices in question are a bog standard modem and a TV capture card, both which work flawlessly in another PC. I have checked the BIOS many times to ensure that the devices are recognised, but still the problem persists. There must be a basic setting I am missing? Is there any glaring issue that I am overlooking as this seems like an easy to solve problem - but apparently not to me :O Any assistance would be appreciated :good:
Hi NJ, I have uninstalled all of the motherboard drivers and made sure that I have then installed all of the latest drivers available, but still no success. I even tried an over the top installation of windows last night but even during install, it does not even attempt to set up a network as it cannot find the ethernet port hah:
it could be your network cable that could be a problem. To see if your ethernet port is working or installed go on device manager. Just incase you dont know where that is go on start and right click on my computer and go on properties and click on hardware tab and go on device manager. it should be under network adapters if it is installed. or try and change the network cable. :good:
Hi NJ I have tried another network cable without success -I am beginning to think that the motherboard is toast (or soon will be) Thanks for your help anyway. I have just seen a replacement motherboard for £62 and am tempted to give that a try
are the devices u mentioned enabled in the bios as i have had the problem myself. i just forgot to enable them lol :O also have you tried cleaning out ur pci slots with an air duster or similar as they might just be dirty etc. causing a bad connection or they might just not be seated right :good:
Hi, the devices are enabled in the BIOS and I have done as you suggested and cleaned out the PCI slots with compressed air, but still no luck. I think there must be a problem with the hardware interface between the PCI slots and the northbridge or to coin a phrase 'the motherboard is sha**ed' Thanks to everyone who offered help and advice - will let you know the outcome of the new motherboard replacement which is due on Tuesday - If this does not work I will probably :swear: :swear: :swear: :swear: :swear:
You might try reserving an IRQ or two in BIOS and see if that helps any. Windows in Plug n Play, but it might be having a slight issue for some reason or another. It could also be that you've got an expansion card sharing the same hardware IRQ as an on-board device, which is causing the problem, but I'm not 100% sure that's a valid idea.
Hi all just as an update, I have installed the replacement motherboard and everything is now working as it should. Thanks to everyone who offered advice and support :good:
