How to test PCI slots?

soundguydave · 17th February 2007, 07:15 PM

Hey, we have a G5 here that we think a capture card may of failed. But is there an easy way to test the PCI slots to make sure its not the host computer? It was the only PCI card in that machine, and I am hesitant to put the card in the other machine, in case the card is bad and risk messing something up (plus they're all connected and would be a pain to pull out). So is there some sort or hardware test I can run to test the PCI slots?

**Geert van den Berg** · 17th February 2007, 07:20 PM

You can run the system diagnosis DVD which came with your OS X installation, though I doubt that I'll spot a malfunctioning PCI slot. Doesn't hurt to try though.

Can't you install the card in another slot in the same computer?

soundguydave · 17th February 2007, 07:48 PM

I tried that. Do the slots run independent of each other, so only one goes out at a time? Or is the whole PCI bus connected?

**Geert van den Berg** · 17th February 2007, 07:55 PM

The whole PCI bus is connected.

hociman · 18th February 2007, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Geert van den Berg

The whole PCI bus is connected.

This may be true, but each slot is independent. If they weren't, you would only have one slot. On the QuickSilver 2002 G4s, it certainly was possible for a single slot to go bad. I had it happen. Apple Hardware Test is really only going to tell you if PCI slots are present at best. To prove its the slot and not the card, you will have to move the card.

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17th February 2007, 07:15 PM	#1
soundguydave Gear maniac Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 289	How to test PCI slots? Hey, we have a G5 here that we think a capture card may of failed. But is there an easy way to test the PCI slots to make sure its not the host computer? It was the only PCI card in that machine, and I am hesitant to put the card in the other machine, in case the card is bad and risk messing something up (plus they're all connected and would be a pain to pull out). So is there some sort or hardware test I can run to test the PCI slots?

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17th February 2007, 07:20 PM	#2
Geert van den Berg Mac Moderator Join Date: May 2003 Location: Amsterdam Posts: 2,592	You can run the system diagnosis DVD which came with your OS X installation, though I doubt that I'll spot a malfunctioning PCI slot. Doesn't hurt to try though. Can't you install the card in another slot in the same computer?

17th February 2007, 07:48 PM	#3
soundguydave Gear maniac Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 289	I tried that. Do the slots run independent of each other, so only one goes out at a time? Or is the whole PCI bus connected?

17th February 2007, 07:55 PM	#4
Geert van den Berg Mac Moderator Join Date: May 2003 Location: Amsterdam Posts: 2,592	The whole PCI bus is connected.