I'm not too confident that it would help fix the problem, but its certainly worth a try, the only downside is that you'll lose all your PRAM settings (sound volume, alert sound, date/time, network settings, etc). The CUDA reset switch is a tiny black or red switch somewhere on the top side of the logic board.

Unfortunately though, I'm willing to bet that there's a good chance that there's a problem with your card - having done it myself I can confirm that adding a USB card to a Mac, even an older Mac running OS 8.6 should not be this hard.

From memory, a CUDA reset is a good idea when adding any new hardware.

And I don't remember if it's been pointed out before, but the card needs to be installed (and recognised) before you install the OS and/or drivers.

The fact that your utilities are not showing the card's existence is not a good sign, but I'd try the CUDA reset before giving up on it.

Don't take the Mac to a repair shop. I don't see how that could turn out well financially.

I have had some experience with USB cards. OS 9 includes some USB drivers but they are wrong. You have to throw them away, and install USB Card Support from the separate installer. This usually works for me on Beige G3s.

Install the drivers and restart. If the card doesn't work then it's either incompatible or defective.

I have confirmed this several times:

- Install OS 9 (and any upgrades)

- Delete the USB extensions

- Install the USB card

- Install USB Card Support 1.4.1

If the card does not work, 100% of the time I can put in another card and it works. The original card was defective or incompatible.

My problem was solved by my apple tech guy.

I am so embarrassed i will whisper what i did wrong

within half a second the tech guy noticed by simply looking at the rear of the computer that the card was not seated. When i removed the right angled connection from the board to make it easier to insert the PCI board into the right angleed connection when i finished with that part i did not fully push down the right angled connection into the mother board. There was about an 1/16 of an inch gap at one end and of course MR MAGOO could not see that. The tech guy pushed that down and also provided a bracket that was missing to firm the PCI card in place. After the assembly he fired up the Mac and the USB card fired up no problems. Anyways it was a lesson learned: don't play wanabe tech.

Ahh, its ok....these things happen to the best of us. :I I've lost count of how many times I've wondered why something's not working, only to realise it wasn't plugged in......

Thank you my friend. Your signature tells the truth: "I mean, how hard can it be?" - Jeremy Clarkson