Windows 10: Don't overlook the obvious when troubleshooting: PCI Express Card

I've got two Lenovo laptops: an X220 Tablet and a T420. Both are the same age, and both include PCI Express slots for adapters. Because the units are old enough to lack USB 3.0, I added a 34mm Startech USB 3.0 adapter to my widgets collection 3-4 years ago. Just recently, the adapter quit working in my X220T though it has kept on working just fine in the T420. It wasn't until I checked the BIOS earlier today and found out that somehow PCI Express had been disabled there -- that I was able to get it working again on the X220T. I'd been messing around with drivers for two weeks, trying various strategies to fix the apparently non-functional drivers. But you can't use a device in an OS unless the BIOS permits you to access it. Indeed it was the most obvious cause, but it took me way too long to chase that one down. I swear I hadn't made any BIOS level changes since upgrading the BIOS last March, but the evidence says something changed it. Sigh, readers: please learn from my mistake. Whenever a device disappears completely from a PC, ALWAYS check for related BIOS settings, and make sure they're enabled.
Happy holidays!
--Ed--



And here they are, back again and working after being re-enabled in the BIOS.

:)

 

Windows 10 & LPT Parallel Printer Port.

You're welcome! My parallel port is a PCI card with an LPT port. When I originally purchased it I was running Windows 7.

The card is a Parallel PCI Express Card, One Port, x1 Lane manufactured by Manhattan, Model Number 158176. It was $29.99 when I purchased it.

• Adds One Parallel Port to a Desktop Computer
• Supports SPP, EPP and ECP Ports
• Fits PCI Express x1, x2, x4, x8 and x16 Lane Buses
• Fits Regular and Low-Profile slots
• Plug and Play Installation
• Windows 7 Compatible

I hope this helps.

 

Installation of Windows 10

When installing windows 10 I get a failure to create RAMDISK error on reboot.

The ASUS motherboard has an unsupported NVIDIA chip, but I am using a supported NVIDIA PCI-Express card.

Is there a way to install windows 10 as the Bios doesn't remove the unsupported Chip only selects to use the PCI-Express?

 

Thanks for sharing that Ed. No matter how long we have been playing with these things there is always something new to learn - or re-learn! That's what makes it so fun.

While I do not pine for the good-ol-days of fixed BIOS installations (on real CMOS chips!) I think we need to get used to the fact that the new UEFI BIOS is highly configurable, and with that convenience comes the unfortunate possibility that settings can change inadvertently, from normal boot errata to OS updates and driver installations or anything else that can easily access the UEFI.

Now excuse me while I go and take a peek into my BIOS (which I probably haven't done in many months!)