Windows 10 hangs when wifi device is installed in any PCI-e slot Acer M3970

hobbo
hobbo Member Posts: 1 New User
edited March 2024 in 2020 Archives
Apologies if this has been covered before. Enthusiastic novice, determined amateur seeks answer.

Acer M3970, 9 years old. BIOS: American Trends P01-B1. Currently running Windows 10 Version 2004 (OS Build 19041.508). Original Acer M3970 Motherboard (SG50P007 otherwise known as MBSG50P007). Some time ago when Win 10 tried to install the whole system would hang on boot up. Had many lengthy discussions with MS but to no avail. The final outcome was in desperation when there was a brief suggestion from someone in a similar situation who asked about removing cards from PCI-e slots. Having nothing to lose, I resorted to removing the only PCI-e board in use which was the wifi card. 

I was so surprised when it started to boot correctly. Hastily connected via and ethernet cable to the hub as a direct connection. My system then booted, upgraded and has been upgraded many times to  the current Win 10 2004 as noted above.

However I keep coming back to the original problem. I knew it was not the wifi board itself, but I still purchased a Wireless N adaptor TL-WN881ND and tried in all available PCI-e slots (0 to4).

I tried it again last night 27/09/20 and it is still the same. Something is hanging the boot system from operation.

Willing to try almost anything. Yes I have a working system but why does having the wifi board in make such a difference

Thread was edited to add model name to the title and to hide personal information