System won't POST w/ card in there

[thefossil]

I'm trying to install a wireless card, Linksys WMP54G, on my Abit BX6r2 motherboard running Win98SE. Installed software first per instructions, powered down. Installed card, now system won't even POST: no beep, no screen, no BIOS... nuthin.

Removed card, boots up fine, software's there, but can't/won't find the card 'cuz it's sittin' on the desk.

Tried 3 different slots, moved other cards, removed cards, unplugged CD burners, removed/reinstalled software, still no POST with that card installed. Called Tech help, they agreed the card is bad.

Back to store, replacement installed before starting system (software for it already installed from previous tries) and it POSTs, boots to windows, but when I try to set up card/network. I get a weird memory error and it locks up. Upon reset... guess what... no POST again.

Do I need to try a different brand, like NetGear or D-Link? or maybe a 802.11b instead of the "G"? I've built systems and have upgraded/replaced every component in my system over the years except for the motherboard,floppy, and case but I've never been so totally shut down with a problem like this before.

I've got a 1-yr old Sparkle PSU 250w, 3 hard drives w/PCI add-on controller card, 2 CD Burners, med fan in front of case, and small fans on CPU and Video Card. Is the wireless card trying to draw more juice than what I've got left?

[sm8000]

Could be. I don't know how much power they draw (you can check the specs at the maker's website) but I think you're at your limit for power demand. Time for a bigger unit.

[rmanet]

that's a newer wireless card and has problems with some computers according to some reviews I saw.....

take it back and try another brand - it isn't worth the aggravation of trying to remove the device, reinstall, screw with drivers and the like

doubt it's lack of power but for sure go get yourself another PSU - surprised you're running all that stuff with a 250w

[thefossil]

Update: Got it to POST. When I turn on the power, and it doesn't POST, I hit the reset button and it fires right up. Card doesn't work, but at least the system runs. I tried removing modem card, unplugging 2 burners and one of the hard drives, but that didn't seem to matter... cold starts always require a reset tap.

So it's a new card and doesn't like my computer maybe? I'll trade it in for a NetGear to match my Wireless router, but all they had in NetGear at the time were the "b" cards, and if I was gonna do all this putzing, I kinda wanted the faster stuff.

Oh yeah, here's the error message I get when I try to set up the card (which doesn't show up on my Network Adaptors list in device manager, BTW). Just so ya know I ran DocMemory and MemTest86 all day long while I was at work, 10 complete passes with zero errors in the memory dept, but still get this error every time I try to set up the card.

[thefossil]

Here's the (last) update:

Took back the second LinkSys card, bought the NetGear 802.11b PCI card (no one had the "G" card in our area). Installed in 10 min. Did the automatic setup w/DSL modem and Mac (she's left-handed, you know) and was done in 5 minutes. Even the b is very speedy. Thanks for the link to the linksys card review: that's exactly what was happening to me.

[rmanet]

glad to hear it worked out - amazing how often we all spend time working - for hours - to install new hardware that's buggy w/ certain chipsets, cpus, etc.