addig pci riser extender

[barret]

This is my first post so I apologize ahead of time if I am to lengthy with my info. My searches have not turned up anything. I have a few questions regarding the possible installation of a pci riser/extender. My computer specs are:
Gateway GM5474

Feature    Specification
# Processor    AMD Athlon™64 X2 6000+, 64-bit dual core processor

    * Operates at 3.0 GHz
    * 2 x 1024 KB L2 cache
    * 2000 MHz system bus

Chipset    NVIDIA® GeForce® 6150SE
# Memory    Installed: 2048 MB DDR2, 667 MHz, (PC2-5300) dual channel memory (two 1024 MB DIMMs)
# Expandable to: 4 GB (4 DDR2 DIMM slots)
Hard Drive    500 GB, 7200 RPM, SATA II hard drive
Support for up to two hard drives
Optical Drive    DVD ±RW, 16X super multi-format dual layer drive

    * Write max: 16X DVD±R, 6X DVD-RW, 6X DVD-R DL, 8X DVD+RW, 8X DVD+R DL, 12X DVD-RAM, 48X CD-R, 32X CD-RW
    * Read max: 12X DVD-ROM, 12X DVD-RAM, 48X CD-ROM

Media Card Reader    

# Video    NVIDIA GeForce™ 8500GT 256 MB

    * DirectX® 10 and Blu-ray™ / HD DVD™ capable
    * One DVI-I port with HDCP
    * One HDMI port
    * One S-Video port (includes DVI-VGA Dongle)

Audio    Integrated 8-Channel (7.1) High Definition Audio
Network Support    Integrated MARVELL 88E8056 10/100 Ethernet
Modem    56 K ITU V.92 ready fax/modem
# Add-in Card Slots    One PCI Express ×16 (graphics interface)
# One PCI Express ×1
# Two PCI conventional
TV Tuner    PCIe Analog/Digital TV tuner with 3-D combination

Ports:

    * Analog TV
    * ATSC Antenna
    * S-Video
    * Stereo Audio RCA
    * S-Video to composit dongle

# External Connectors    One PS/2 keyboard port
# One PS/2 mouse port
# One VGA monitor port
# One parallel port
# One serial port
# Six USB ports (four rear, two front)
# Two IEEE 1394a port (one rear, one front)
# One RJ-45 Ethernet LAN port
# Eight audio jacks (six rear, two front)
# Three front RCA jacks (one video, two audio)
Drive Bays    Five total:

    * Two external 5.25-inch
    * One external 3.5-inch (with a docking bay for optional Gateway 2.5-inch removable USB hard drive)
    * Two internal 3.5-inch (hard drive)
 
Operating System Vista 32bit    version NA at time of post

Additional installation of a DVB S satellite card
in the only available pci slot.

I would now like to add an additional satellite card and would like to know if this pci riser / extender is a viable option.

If so would this be considered a plug and play device that the computer will automatically pick up as new hardware?
 
Will the computer reconfigure and recognize the additional slot even though its two into one?

will I be creating conflicts in the devices?

Thank You
Chris






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[patio]

I'm slightly confused...if you have a satellite card what is the 2nd one for ? ?
Also if using a satellite card is the modem necessary or is that onboard ? ?
Is the Ethernet card in use ? ?

I've used riser cards in the past but they are clunky and best not used unless absolutely neccessary...
Post Back with some more clarification.

[barret]

The second satellite card is for the new format DVB-S2 standard that the first card does not support. A lot of the sports back hauls etc. are beginning to use this standard. The second card will not support one of the programs I am using so I would like to keep the first card installed also.

The modem is necessary and utilizes the only other pci slot.
To my knowledge there is no separate Ethernet card I believe it is integrated on the regular modem.

I had considered an external usb modem another option to free up the slot but the riser looked like a good solution.

[patio]

What program is not supported by the new card ? ?
Also list again what PCI slots are being used and by what...
Reason i'm sounding stubborn here is that i've had bad experiences with riser cards in the past and if we can somehow prevent it that would be the best approach.

[barret]

The new card is not supported by TSReader.

Total slots
1 pci express x16 used by factory installed graphics card
1 pci express x1 mini used by factory installed TV card
2 conventional pci slots one used by factory installed v.92 56k modem and the other being used by my installed satellite dvb-s card



I don't consider you being stubborn as I know that the best way to approach a problem is through accurate info.
I am not a fan of experimenting with this riser either. I have a good working system right now that I mainly use for HD sat sport back hauls. It is just recently that the new DVB-S2 MPEG 4 and 8PSk formats are being adopted here in North America. I want to add this new card without ruining what I already have so I appreciate your concern and help.

[quaxo]

I agree with Patio, risers are troublesome. If we can avoid going down that road, it would be best.

You have a couple options open to you if you really must keep both Sat cards. I'm not familiar with that program, so I can't give you solid advice on what to do about that particular issue. However:

1. I noticed you mentioned a serial port in you description. Is this working? It could be used for an external serial port modem.

2. A USB modem, like you mentioned, is another possibility.

By the way, thank you for making such a nice descriptive post on your specs. Much easier to see where things stand. Wish everyone would be so informative 

[barret]

Thank you patio and quaxo

  Going on feedback from both of you I can see that this riser/ extender is not such a hot idea. With my limited computer knowledge, when I tried to come up with options to gain and extra slot this seemed to be the best. You both have good reasons for not wanting to recommend this so even though I have the riser, now, as it was delivered yesterday, I will put it in my storage collection along with other items as such. Keeping a modem is necessary as my extreme rural location still only allows me access to dial up. Of the two, a serial port or usb external modem which one would be recommended ?
  Also not that it matters now but to answer my original question in theory is the riser extender just supposed to plug in, add a couple of cards, reboot and presto your up and running? Or is it more complicated like reassigning irq's etc.

Thank You
Chris