Is my motherboard bad? Doesn't recognize wireless adapters.

[Crade]

Hey guys, need some help with this issue. I'm trying to install a wireless adapter to my computer that I put together back in November. I have tried three wireless adapters and have been unable to get them to work. The first two adapters I tried were both Asus N-53's. I had a replacement sent after talking with customer support who determined the adapter was defective. I'm certain that wasn't the case as the next one also wasn't recognized. The 3rd adapter I purchased is a TP-Link TL-WDN4800. I installed the card into both of the two PCE slots I have available and still my computer does not recognize it. Under device manager there are no new components installed, I even tried viewing hidden components and the adapters haven't showed up anywhere. This has lead me to believe that there is an issue with my motherboard. Is this possible or could it be something else I am overlooking? Like I said I only have two slots available and have two GPU's installed in SLI. Please give me some suggestions if you can, my MB is an Asus Z97-A.

Update: After doing some research I see a lot of complaints about faulty and defective Z97 MB's from ASUS, I firmly believe this is the issue and my PCE slots are defective. Please expand if you can.

 

[blazorthon]

Sometimes, using two graphics cards in SLI will disable other PCIe slots, although I'd be surprised if it disabled all of the others (assuming you meant PCIe and not PCI).

I find it unlikely that the motherboard would be so defective as to not work with these cards, yet still function otherwise. However, it is possible, especially if there is physical damage to the slots. If it is a common issue for that motherboard model, then it is possible that the PCIe slots used for it were a bad batch. This can't be fixed without sending the board back with an RMA, assuming it is still under warranty.

Have you tried downloading the driver for your WiFi adapter from the manufacturer's website and installing it? That might get it working even when Windows can't find it.

 

[Saberus]

You might not have any PCIe lanes left because the SLI is forcing the available lanes into use for your graphics cards. Socket 1150 procs only have 16 lanes max, I think.

You should look for something PCI, but I think at best you'll only find a/b/g in that old of a slot.

Correction: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833704031 Wireless N is available in PCI. This might be your fix.

 

[Crade]

Sometimes, using two graphics cards in SLI will disable other PCIe slots, although I'd be surprised if it disabled all of the others (assuming you meant PCIe and not PCI).

I find it unlikely that the motherboard would be so defective as to not work with these cards, yet still function otherwise. However, it is possible, especially if there is physical damage to the slots. If it is a common issue for that motherboard model, then it is possible that the PCIe slots used for it were a bad batch. This can't be fixed without sending the board back with an RMA, assuming it is still under warranty.

Have you tried downloading the driver for your WiFi adapter from the manufacturer's website and installing it? That might get it working even when Windows can't find it.

I have not tried installing the card AFTER installing the drivers. I did this with the first two cards (Asus N-53) with no luck, but I will try again with the TP-Link card.

 

[Crade]

You might not have any PCIe lanes left because the SLI is forcing the available lanes into use for your graphics cards. Socket 1150 procs only have 16 lanes max, I think.

You should look for something PCI, but I think at best you'll only find a/b/g in that old of a slot.

Correction: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833704031 Wireless N is available in PCI. This might be your fix.

Update: Okay guys I am still having issues with this. I tried installing the drivers without the adapter but I get an error message saying the system can't find the adapter... How can I install the driver without the system actually detecting it? Furthermore I uninstalled one of my two GPU's as he suggested above and still my adapter does not show up in device manager. Please help if you can, I am very frustrated at this point and ready to purchase a new MB altogether with a built-in adapter. Thanks.

 

[Crade]

Still need some help people, I was waiting to upgrade to windows 10 after I fixed this issue. Anyone think it would be a good idea to upgrade first? I'm thinking theres a small chance it could fix the issue... Probably not though.. Any further suggestions would be great. Btw i'm running windows 7.

 

[Saberus]

Have you tried a PCI card? with the single GPU in it might still be routing all the PCIe lanes to the GPU.