Issue installing a PCI-e x1 card in a PCI-e x4 slot

Can you share the details on server model and USB card used? Is it a Dell Internal USB card?

Hello,

PowerEdge T430

After market card. PCI-e x1 7 USB 3 ports.

I've since done some reading. By default an x1 card should work in an x4 slot.

But maybe with PowerEdge this doesn't work for some reason?

Hi @*VeeDub*,

I think Shine would agree too, that unfortunately we are unable to inform you if PowerEdge T430 would be able to support the after market PCIe USB card that you are installing. I gave a look at the BIOS configuration on T430 and not able to find any settings on PCIe slot, except slot disablement. 

Hello Joey,

I saw that was the only option in the BIOS as well.

Are you able to provide any info on the error code?

x4 slots are supposed to support x1 cards

And this card does work in the x1slot in the T430. But there is only a single x1 slot.

Does Dell provide any PCIe cards with USB3 ports?  (I've not been able to find any)

Thanks

VW

Hello @*VeeDub*,

Info on the error code is here: https://dell.to/31snsPW

I'm unsure if PCIe USB have firmware to update, perhaps you can try updating the server's iDRAC/LCC and BIOS firmware. 

USB cards for PowerEdge, none. I don't think there is any. 

You could try setting the bios to bios mode or UEFI mode. You might also try playing with the Slot Disablement settings in the BIOS>Integrated Devices>Slot Disablement section. Maybe try different settings in the bios for USB 3.0 settings, User Acessible USB ports (maybe turn them all off). 
There really isnt an easy answer on this one. updating the server's iDRAC/LCC and BIOS firmware as Joey stated would be be a good start.

#Iwork4Dell

Interesting. I just installed a pcie x1 (firewire) card in an x4 slot on an Optiplex 7060. At the same time I disconnected everything to rearrange an office setup with mutliple desks and computers. When restarting this one, it would not boot (it has an m2 drive on the motherboard...) I worked like nuts for a whole day. Pretty quickly decided the installed card created the problem, but when I removed, it persisted, no more boot...m2 drive not detected even though I could take it out and put into another machine via USB and it would read...Long story short ended up reformatting the m2 stick and cmos. Finally used a recovery usb stick to reinstall the system. As I am working through this, I had removed both the firewire card and the existing pci3 x16 video card. Viola-the m2 was detected. I did the full windows redownload and setup. Then on a restart I reinstalled both cards--back to no boot--took out the pcie x1, still no boot. Took out the pcie x16--booted. Put the pci3 x1 back in--still booted. There is definitely some bus sharing going on that is creating some odd behavior--in my case with the m2 card. Definitely some hardware interrupts are colliding in the bus architecture. I am back to running, with firewire, but without the add-in video. ok for now with just 2 monitors.