IBM 5160 ISA Card Slot Issue

[Smack2k]

Hello,

On my 5160, I have an ATI Graphics Solution Plus ISA Card installed. When the card is fully seated in the ISA slot, it doesnt get video to the monitor, but if the card is lifted a tiny bit in the front, everything works good. I am unable to screw the card into the case due to this and was wondering what things I could try to get the card fully seated?

I have tried it in two different ISA ports with the same issue. Other cards have been in the ports fully seated with no issues, so not sure why this one has the issue.

Thanks!

 

[giobbi]

Hello,

On my 5160, I have an ATI Graphics Solution Plus ISA Card installed. When the card is fully seated in the ISA slot, it doesnt get video to the monitor, but if the card is lifted a tiny bit in the front, everything works good. I am unable to screw the card into the case due to this and was wondering what things I could try to get the card fully seated?

I have tried it in two different ISA ports with the same issue. Other cards have been in the ports fully seated with no issues, so not sure why this one has the issue.

Thanks!

I wish to offer a different point of view:

maybe, when the card is fully seated, the metal support is slightly forcing on the video out connector.... There could be a bad solder between the connector and the card...

....maybe?

 

[Stone]

Brian, if you don't find the 'right' solution for this you could always bend the mounting bracket to a position that works for you when you mount it with the screw.

 

[Malc]

Might be a worn / dirty / bad spot on one of the card edge fingers of the card, Try cleaning them and give them a good look over.

 

[DaCiRo]

I had a similar issue with the Sound Blaster card in one on the XTs. In my case the lifting at the front of the card solved the problem simply because this helped the back of the card to deep into the ISA slot, I could also not screw the card to the case fully (though I could get the screw in but not tighten it), and I realized that the problem was on the way the motherboard was seated on the cage. The last time I took the motherboard out for cleaning I place it back in the case and screw it in too close to the back panel mounting brackets. This cause me to have to force some cards in with more pressure that I was comfortable with.
The motherboard has 2 screws if I recall well and if while you are screwing it into the case you push slightly the away from the back panel where the cards get screwed in (do this after you have the spacers in, otherwise these will not line up) you will make few millimeters more of extra room that will allow the card to fit in nicely both from the back and front side of the ISA connectors.

...Not sure if this would be the solution to your problem but it did work for me.

 

[Plasma]

washer

 

[Smack2k]

The card isnt big enough to get near the back of the case, so I dont think that is my issue. The card is only 4 or 5 inches long. But thanks for the reply.

I will look into the solder as well as even bending the bracket to get it in.

 

[Lutiana]

washer

Nah, I think the dryer might be more likely part of the problem here.

 

[Plasma]

The washer is the solution...I don't think a dryer would fit under the card bracket

 

[Lutiana]

The washer is the solution...I don't think a dryer would fit under the card bracket

Well I was mostly poking fun at your response. A single word answer is really of no help to anyone. If you could elaborate on what you meant, that would be great and could help more than just the OP.

 

[ibmapc]

Well I was mostly poking fun at your response. A single word answer is really of no help to anyone. If you could elaborate on what you meant, that would be great and could help more than just the OP.

I understood what plasma meant with his one word response. Put a washer between the card mounting bracket and the Chassis flange as a spacer. What I don't agree with here is that the washer is just a Band Aid and does not address the root cause.

 

[DaCiRo]

Hello,

On my 5160, I have an ATI Graphics Solution Plus ISA Card installed. When the card is fully seated in the ISA slot, it doesnt get video to the monitor, but if the card is lifted a tiny bit in the front, everything works good. I am unable to screw the card into the case due to this and was wondering what things I could try to get the card fully seated?

I have tried it in two different ISA ports with the same issue. Other cards have been in the ports fully seated with no issues, so not sure why this one has the issue.

Thanks!

I see, I agree then that this would not really help. Do you need to apply quite a bit of force to get the card fully seated into into the ISA slot or does it slide in nicely?
I had an issue with a Windond Serial/Parallel card, which would not fit in properly and when forced in would not work as the connections would not seem to line up properly in the slot, unless I played a bit lifting the front a bit to release pressure at the back. I needed up Having to file a bit the little bridge in between the ISA front and back connectors and all worked fine afterwards.

 

[Smack2k]

I see, I agree then that this would not really help. Do you need to apply quite a bit of force to get the card fully seated into into the ISA slot or does it slide in nicely?
I had an issue with a Windond Serial/Parallel card, which would not fit in properly and when forced in would not work as the connections would not seem to line up properly in the slot, unless I played a bit lifting the front a bit to release pressure at the back. I needed up Having to file a bit the little bridge in between the ISA front and back connectors and all worked fine afterwards.

No extra force on the video card compared to any of the other cards in terms of going into the slots, slides in with a little pressure like the rest..

I can look closer at the card but I didnt see anything out of ordinary on the bottom or sides of it that would cause it to not sit right in the slot either. It sits in there perfectly fine and flush and the the bracket is the same as the other cards, not bent in any way and when the card is put in the slot, the bracket sits as it should at the back of the 5160 case. But that is when I get no video from it.

 

[Plasma]

I understood what plasma meant with his one word response. Put a washer between the card mounting bracket and the Chassis flange as a spacer. What I don't agree with here is that the washer is just a Band Aid and does not address the root cause.

It is a band aid. But sometimes that's all you need. Kind of like, "Doctor it hurts when I bend my arm like this"..."Well don't bend it like that"...

 

[Smack2k]

Thanks for all the help.....

It ended up being the top of the card (the PCB) Board sits on the bracket higher than the other cards, so it never fully sat in the slot. When I pushed down on it, the back end would go in, and the front popped up a little and it would work.

Did some modifying of the bracket and it sits and works properly now..if you guys didnt mention the bracket I never would have thought to look at it.

Onto the next issue

 

[ibmapc]

Thanks for all the help.....

It ended up being the top of the card (the PCB) Board sits on the bracket higher than the other cards, so it never fully sat in the slot. When I pushed down on it, the back end would go in, and the front popped up a little and it would work.

Did some modifying of the bracket and it sits and works properly now..if you guys didnt mention the bracket I never would have thought to look at it.

Onto the next issue

Hmm... So it sounds like Plasma was on the right track with his "Washer" idea. That's why I carefully check to make sure the card sits correctly in the ISA connector and never trust the bracket to be properly aligned. Sometimes things need to be "massaged" a little to get a good electrical connection.