[Running_on_empty]

In my computer there were two spare PCI slots, i am now occupying one of them with a wireless card and the other is spare. This spare one is not as long os the other two slots or a normal PCI slot. Can i still plug in PCI cards and they will work? or is this a different kind of PCI slot. I want to make sure i can use it before buying another card. Just seems strange to me that it is a different length to the other two on my board

[Krlll]

What PC/motherboard do you have?
Anyway,if its smaller then a PCI card wont fit right?

[Running_on_empty]

i have a dell dimension e521. well the PCI cards have two chunks cut out at different points usually, so they are connected correctly, so im not sure if it fits 2/3 of a card or sumthing like tht

[4D(Fordy(Ford) Ollie]

perhaps its designed purely to fit a ZIP reader? i doubt theyd be putting them in still though.. they never really took off.

[Running_on_empty]

a friend of mine said you can get two different sizes of PCI cards and that you can get smaller cards for the smaller slots. not sure if hes right tho coz ive never seen them, only seen the usual cards

[4D(Fordy(Ford) Ollie]

OK, i did some research, your friend is right. The full size PCIs are 312 mm whereas these shorter ones vary from 119 to 167. Try searching a computer part site for "short range (insert type you want here) PCI" then check its the right size for your slot.

sounds like a pain. even if they can make it smaller big woop keep it same size less confusing :D

[Running_on_empty]

ah right, thts a pain then coz not all cards will have a small version. at least i should be able to get something tho, thanks for your help everyone

[4D(Fordy(Ford) Ollie]

thats ok, just measure it and then search for a pci card in that size and see if anything tickles your fancy, (and not your wallet if your on anything like me :D)

Ollie.