DELL / StarTech [mechanical incompatibilty]

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

This is a strange one, so I turn to the collective wisdom of the forum:

I have an elderly DELL Optiplex 390 ‘Small Form Factor PC, for which I have just purchased a StarTech PEX1P/PEX1LP PCIe parallel port adapter.

So far, so good … I’ve even sorted out Win 10 drivers for it.

The problem is mechanical [!] … the half-height card will only fit into the machine if l remove its mounting plate. This is clearly not a practical solution.

I am too blind or daft [probably both] to see exactly where the obstruction lies, So I’m hoping someone might have encountered the problem before.

MichaelG.

[Grindstone CowboyParticipant @grindstonecowboy]

Usually half-height cards come with two mounting brackets – a full and a half – so you just use the one that suits.

If you don’t have a half height bracket, I might be able to find one you can have.

Rob

[Stuart Smith 5Participant @stuartsmith5]

I have bought a similar Dell pc and parallel card.

I am just going to cut the plate down to fit.

Rob posted as I was typing. Yes, I think you can get half height cards – or at least you could in the past.

Stuart

[Stuart Smith 5]

On Stuart Smith 5 Said:

I have bought a similar Dell pc and parallel card.

I am just going to cut the plate down to fit.

Rob posted as I was typing. Yes, I think you can get half height cards – or at least you could in the past.

Stuart

On Grindstone Cowboy Said:

Usually half-height cards come with two mounting brackets – a full and a half – so you just use the one that suits.

If you don’t have a half height bracket, I might be able to find one you can have.

Rob

Thanks, both

They do … and it did [it’s an old item but new and unused]

The problem [I think] is that the bulky Centronics connector is catching on something during the insertion process … space is very tight in the SFF but I wasn’t expecting this.

Photos tomorrow; I’m too weary now.

MichaelG.

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Ref: https://www.startech.com/en-gb/cards-adapters/pex1plp

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

It’s tight in there:

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Centronics connector is arrowed

Card [without its plate] sits perfectly in the x1 PCIe slot

… but with the plate attached, it’s like trying to manoeuvre a grand piano through a doorway !

It may be possible, but I haven’t worked-out how 🙁

MichaelG.

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

[Stuart Smith 5Participant @stuartsmith5]

Michael

I struggled a bit with mine but there is a slot for the end of the plate and it should just push straight down if you get it lined up.

 

Stuart

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Emboldened by your success, Stuart … I have finally succeeded

With the upper screw removed, and the lower one slackened right off, there was just sufficient flexibility to wriggle the card into its slot and  the bracket into its position … Not an experience I wish to repeat !

It’s all tidy now, and <phew!> the card has survived its excessive handling.

MichaelG.

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P.S. __ is yours an SFF case ?

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

That was sorted just in time

This little beauty arrived in today’s post

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/176386734029

and after [in infinite monkeys mode] persuading Windows to load the correct driver, all is looking good.

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Next steps are an SSD and a mild processor upgrade

MichaelG.

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