Is PCI Express Backwards Compatable with PCI?

[OnBake Platinum]

And how do I find out what kind of RAM I have? I know physically, it's the kind with two notches.

[WolfmanNCSU]

PCI Express maintains backward compatibility with PCI to ensure that all existing applications and drivers operate unchanged.


SDRAM is the type of RAM that has two notches...

http://www.laptops4me.com/images/pict/P133256CL2.jpg

[Moses]

System Profile?

[OnBake Platinum]

=-o

:-)

So I can put my PCI card in a PCI-e slot and it'll work? :-)

Next question: I have a corrupt hard drive that's jut laying around. How can I format it so I can just pop it in, it'll appear in My computer, and I can drag crap onto it? Then put it in a new PC, and drag off.

kthxrep

[WolfmanNCSU]

Yep, but I would double check with the manufactor of the board before going along. It should run the hardware at older PCI speeds.

So it sounds like you want to just have a second crap HDD in the PC to load stuff...

On the old drive, change the jumper settings to SLAVE or CS (cable select). With the new machince, mount the drive, plug power and IDE. Make sure you have it on the slave (middle) section of the cable.

When you boot up, your PC will recognize the new drive in the PC. User Computer Managment (Start > Run > compmgmt.msc) and select Delete Partition. Then add a new one and format. Now you have a working, formated, empty drive.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v39/WolfmanNCSU/Computer%20Stuff/compmgmt.jpg

[OnBake Platinum]

If I could rep you twice, I would. I may bump this thread if I have a problem later on.

[Eidorian]

Uh...PCI cards won't work in PCI-Express slots. The stiil include PCI slots on motherboards with PCI-Express. Expect PCI-Express to take over though in the long run.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PCI_Express

[WolfmanNCSU]

^ That's right actually, its only the software layer that is compatible, so drivers etc will still work.

The Bus is different, so the PCI device won't work in the PCIe slot! Thanks Eidorian!!!

[Eidorian]

^ That's right actually, its only the software layer that is compatible, so drivers etc will still work.

The Bus is different, so the PCI device won't work in the PCIe slot! Thanks Eidorian!!!Yeah, I didn't want him to try to plug in a PCI card into a PCI-E slot. =-o

[OnBake Platinum]

Oh well, no big deal. I just want to borrow as much from this PC as possible. THis system I am looking at has onbaord graphics....:-X

[WolfmanNCSU]

And to further show the physical difference....

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/f/fc/PCIExpress.jpg/800px-PCIExpress.jpg

As show, PCIe slots are up top, with the current PCI slot on the bottom. Thanks again Eidorian.

[Benson]

I was going to say...PCI e is MUCH different in shape and size. But you got it all figured out.