Two PCI cards in one PCI slot

[millwork]

I want to use two PCI cards in one PCI slot...need source for "Y" or "T" adaptor. Currently have "L" adaptors to lay cards flat and I can build a box to contain/protect cards. Alternate desire is external sound or PCI through USB or Serial.

Reason: Playing with a server to use for home computing. It's a dual PIII 700 (@1190) with only two PCI slots. They are occupied with sound and 3D video...USB is two V1.1 and I want to use a couple of V2.0 devices. I have a PCI card w/5 USB 2.0 outs. Main desired - USB CDR/W is @ 4X w/1.1 but will go 32X w/2.0.

John B. :})[SIZE=3];)

[Psycho Logical]

Even if such an adapter were available, each PCI slot on the motherboard can only be assigned a single IRQ. Steering would not take into account the fact that there would actually be two physically distinct cards plugged into one slot.

In your case, the only possible card combinations to occupy such an adapter:

• Audio + Video

• Audio + USB

• Video + USB

Something would always conflict.

[millwork]

Thanks,

You saved me lots of time. Solution is simply occupy PCI stots with video and USB 2.0 card. There are many USB Audio cards out there and they have bonus features such as optical digital connectivity, MIDI/Game Port, 1/8" standard analog audio in/out etc.

Did not consider IRQ conflicts.

Have now confined my search to those products and my current USB 2.0 devices all have a connection and are happy.

Thanks again,

John B. :}) :t

[Ol'Tunzafun]

I don't know why that would not be impossible. We used to regularly do that with ISA slots. A lot of those old boards came with only one ISA slot and it was necessary to use an adapter with from 3 to 6 ISA slots on it. IRQ's are not tied to any given slot. They are signature signals.
PCI by serial or USB is not going to work because it would be way too slow.

[bassman]

Dump the audio card and use the PCI slots to video and USB; then, try getting a ISA audio card (I'm assuming you have ISA slots available) on an old PC.

[millwork]

Mr Bassman,

This server has no ISA slots and only two PCI slots. Please see original post "Dual PIII 700's (@1190)." I did get rid of the audio card and went to an inexpensive IMic USB Audio Interface. Thank you anyway.

Mr Ol'Tunzafun,

Thank you also. The OS does resolve the conflict but takes too much time to do so. Both devices (Audio and USB) need to work simultaneously. 2000 Pro (Server edition) redirects the address quicker than XP Pro but its still not acceptable. I should have rigged a "piggy back" before asking the question. Once I tried that, noticed gaps in the data flow for both handlers. The IRQ steering, albeit momentary, is a conflict and unacceptable.

If I were using the server as a true server, could have another computer do audio and other stuff via 10/100. However, I want this system to "stand alone" for several reasons.

Thanks again to all of you. Everyone's input was helpful.


John B. :}) :t