PCI ADAPTERS NOT BEING RECOGNIZED BY WINDOWS 95

Support Bulletin: 6010 Rev B

Abstract: Some PCI platforms with Windows 95 do not initially recognize PCI adapters. This is evident when you fail to get the boot-up dialogue box “NEW HARDWARE FOUND” after installing a new PCI device. In this case, you will not have the opportunity to pre-load the PCI device’s drivers. Additionally, the new PCI device will not function after performing a manual installation of its drivers in NETWORK SETTINGS.

One way this situation can happen is by installing or upgrading Windows 95 with the PCI adapter inserted. Subsequently, the PCI slot with the device will not be recognized by Windows 95. You may avoid this situation by removing PCI devices before installing Windows 95.This document provides three solutions for this situation.

METHOD 1:

1. Move the PCI device to another PCI slot.

2. Re-start Windows 95. During boot up, the “NEW HARDWARE FOUND” dialogue box should display and give you the opportunity to pre-load the drivers for the new device. If it does not display, try METHOD 2 or 3 below.

METHOD 2:

1. With the PCI device inserted, start Windows 95.

2. From the main desktop, wend your way to DEVICE MANAGER as follows: click on START, SETTINGS, CONTROL PANEL, SYSTEM, DEVICE MANAGER

3. Click on VIEW DEVICE BY TYPE and examine the listing of devices under COMPUTER. You will see things like CD ROM, Disk Drives, Hard Disk Controllers etc. Your PCI device should either be listed generically as NETWORK ADAPTER, or specifically by name, or under OTHER DEVICES.

4. Identify the device name (generic or otherwise) that represents your device, then double click on it.

5. You will be taken to a screen that displays details of your device. It will probably indicate that the device is working properly but that no driver is loaded for it. You will see the prompt “To change the driver for this device, click on CHANGE DRIVER”.

6. Click on CHANGE DRIVER, then click on HAVE DISK. From this point, this will look like a normal manual installation. It will ask for the driver disk and path for your device. Complete the driver installation, exit back to the main desktop.

7. Re-start Windows 95. Double click on Network Neighborhood and you should see the flashlight icon sweeping back and forth indicating that the system is browsing the network. From here, it should display the other devices that it finds on the network.

METHOD 3

1. Perform steps 1-3 of METHOD 2 above.

2. Highlight the device name for your adapter and delete it.

3. Shut down Windows 95 and re-start. During boot up, the “NEW HARDWARE FOUND” dialogue box should display and give you the opportunity to pre-load the drivers for the new device.

If these procedures don’t correct the situation, contact the manufacturer of your system board and/or PCI device.