asked on

PCI Slots cannot detect Ethernet PCI Cards

Our office upgrade internet connection from Dial-up to Leased Line. In connection to this upgrade we also upgraded our Linux based gateway server. We added another ethernet card to the server which is a HP Netserver E800 PIII 1.0Ghz, the HP had a problem detecting the 3COM 3C905CX ethernet card, I don't know why, but we were forced to change the card and install another brand, Realtek, the HP were able to detect it. We configured everything and the system worked out fine. We tested everything while the server cover is still open, in short everything is exposed. While running I noticed that the Realtek ethernet card is not yet screwed, so while the server is running I screwed the realtek card. I was not able to screw the card totaly but I already did a few turns. I stopped thinking that something might go wrong so I shutdown the server and screw the realtek card. After tightening the screw we boot up the server. Upon boot-up we noticed that one ethernet card failed to initialize which is the realtek. The other ethernet card is built in the HP which is still ok. We tested another ethernet card and used all available slots one at a time but still same problem occure. HP can no longer detect any ethernet card inserted on any its PCI slots.

What could be the problem? is the cause of the problem when I did a few turns to tighten the ethernet card to the body of the server? Please help.

philby11

I wouldn't think that you have done anything by turning the screw, i have done worse with no harm done.
that being said have you tried to refresh the PCI assignment in the bios?
failing that you could download AIDA32 or some similar diagnostic software compatible with linux

http://www.msbfr.net/LinkSoftware.html
hope this helps

SOLUTION

Jonybrv

membership

This solution is only available to members.

To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.

Start Free Trial

ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION

kiranghag

membership

This solution is only available to members.

To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.

Start Free Trial

kiranghag

while tightening the screw, you might have actually disoriented the card in its slot.
try removing it and putting it bck again and have a visual check whether its been seated in the slot properly

iskobalt

ASKER

I have done so many times double checking if the card is seated in its slot properly and removing and putting it back again and transferring from one slot to another but still no positive response from the HP bios. I will try to clear the CMOS and check if it would do help.

Philiby11
Do AIDA32 has text based monitoring? because we did not install GUI application in our Linux server. How do I refresh the PCI assignement in the BIOS?

iskobalt

ASKER

I dont know what else to do. I reset the CMOS by removing the battery and restart the server, but an error occured while booting up Linux. There is an error that say something like "KERNEL PANIC". The problem went even worst, I restarted the server and it stops or hungs up and could not continue booting Linux. It stops running right after the memory counting.

Please help.

iskobalt

ASKER

thanks guys for all your support. I need the server very badly and an immediate solutions. I had no choice but to bring it to the nearest service center. Actually, they too had a hard time isolating the problem, but still were able to solve the problem by replacing the mother board. Now its working fine! Thanks again.