Question Why is a PCIe network card not showing up in dmesg / device manager?

[gabecz]

Hi
I have a relatively new AX wifi 6 pcie card that physically fits in the older laptop's pcie slot. (i hope i use the right terminology here)
but it doesn't show up neither in a windows system, nor in a linux (lspci, lshw -C network, but not even dmesg shows any change when unplugging/plugging it back in while the system is running.
In windows, device manager doesn't "refresh" like it does when i pop in the original older bluetooth/wifi card.
the ax pcie card should physically be ok.

in general, is there such a thing that an older laptop (acer e5-575 n16q2, or a lenovo 130-15ast) doesn't recognize newer more modern cards at all, not even as "i see you plugged in something but i cannot do anything with it"?

thanks

 

[Lutfij]

I have a relatively new AX wifi 6 pcie card that physically fits in the older laptop's pcie slot.
Just because it fits, doesn't always mean it should go there. That being said, what is the make and model of the adapter?

in general, is there such a thing that an older laptop (acer e5-575 n16q2, or a lenovo 130-15ast) doesn't recognize newer more modern cards at all, not even as "i see you plugged in something but i cannot do anything with it"?

First off, if the laptop doesn't support the device, then no it won't show up in Device Manager, on grounds of a compatibility issue. Second, laptop makers might even have a list on their BIOS to allow swapping of parts, namely wireless adapters. Third, you could try and see if your laptop(s) is(are) pending any BIOS updates and if so, to make sure you're on the latest BIOS version as well as the latest OS version, then see if manually installing the adapter's drivers in an elevated command, i.e, Right click installer>Run as Administrator helps revive the device.

Moved thread from Components section to Wireless Networking section.

 

[SkyNetRising]

it doesn't show up neither in a windows system, nor in a linux (lspci, lshw -C network, but not even dmesg shows any change when unplugging/plugging it back in while the system is running.

You can not hot plug pcie / m.2 cards.

 

[gabecz]

so it is entirely possible, more so very likely that the card is not compatible with the laptop then.
all good.
thank you i won't put much effort in it as the compatible card instantly shows up even though it's not a good practice to hot swap pcie / m.2 cards but for testing i did it.
compatible card: instant reaction
ax211: dead silence

I started a separate thread for speed problem, which was the reason i tried to pop in one of the ax211 cards i have a shoe box full of:

Question - Qualcomm Atheros QCA9377 802.11ac Wireless Network Adapter only ~300mbps ?

hi i have a lenovo 130-15ast with a pcie wifi/bluetooth mentioned in the title. i understand it should have maximum speed of 600mbps. however while i can open fast.com on my mac i see 500mbps (as my internet speed is indeed 500mbps) when i do the same on the lenovo, the speed only goes up to...

forums.tomshardware.com

 

[cruisetung]

Some vendor's laptops will have a whitelist of wifi adapters that it will recognize.
If it's not on the list, it won't work.