PCI controller, what is it?

Every PC user at least once openedDevice Manager on your computer. It does not matter, whether it's a regular desktop computer or laptop, you can find a so-called PCI-controller anywhere. What is it and why is it needed in the computer? Where to look for it and what to do with it?

What is a PCI controller?

PCI is a universal bus for connectingdifferent devices. Usually they are on the motherboard of the computer and with their help, various additional boards can be connected to it. Owners of a desktop computer will find it easier to find PCI-connectors on their PC. After removing the side cover of the case, you will see the motherboard of your PC, and on it are several large white connectors. These connectors are called PCI buses. With their help, you can connect a video card, a sound card, boards with additional connectors (USB or COM), a network card, etc. to the motherboard.

The PCI controller itself is part of themotherboard and is responsible for the normal operation of the tires themselves and the devices that are treated to them. PCI-connectors can have different versions and are intended for different types of cards. If you look closely at the PC motherboard, you can see that the connector for connecting the video card is different from the rest. This is done because for video cards there is a higher speed of data exchange with the motherboard, and also they consume more power. On motherboards, you can find a small PCI-connector, which is designed for network or various other boards that consume less power and do not require a broad data channel.

Installing the PCI device

Choosing an additional device for your PC,find out which version of PCI-connectors is installed on your motherboard. Remember, different versions of these connectors differ in their form, so the device for one version of the connector will be physically incompatible with the connector of another version, which is on the motherboard.

Find out whether the device is compatible with your motherboard is quite simple:

1. Download the Everest program, install and run it.
2. In the left column, select "Devices" and in the same placeselect "PCI devices". The central window of the program will be divided in two, the top will list all the devices that are connected to the PCI-buses. Clicking on the device, in the lower window you can see information about the device and about the bus itself, to which it is connected. There you can also find out the version of the PCI-bus.
3. You can do it easier and find it on the Internetdescription of your motherboard, then just compare it with the characteristics of the device that you want to install. You can find out the model of the motherboard using the Everest program, by opening the "motherboard" section.

If the selected card is compatible with your motherboard, you can proceed to install the device directly.

1. Remove the side cover of the PC case.
2. Select the PCI slot in which the device will be installed, or remove from the desired slot the device that you want to replace with the new one.
3. Just gently insert the card so that it completely enters the connector. Here you will not be mistaken, since it is physically impossible to install the board in the connector incorrectly.
4. Connect additional connectors (if required) and replace the housing cover.
5. Start the PC. When the OS boots, you will see a system message stating that a new device was connected. Install the drivers necessary for its operation from the installation disk that comes with the device, by downloading the driver from the network or by using the automatic driver installation.

Problems with the PCI controller

Sometimes after reinstalling the OS can occurThe next problem is that the system can not recognize the PCI controller. When you open Device Manager, you will find the item "unknown hardware" instead of "PCI-controller". The solution to the problem is very simple - download the required driver from the site of the manufacturer of your motherboard and install it.