Can't get ieee 1394 PCIE FireWire card (TI chipset) to appear in device manager on HP Envy Desktop

[pdoughboy]

Trying to add FireWire to my HP Envy Desktop, I have an older PCIE Firewire card that will show in device manager but causes the computer to be erratic, slow and lock up. New FireWire card is Startech.com product #PEX1394A2V2 with Texas Instruments Chipset and it will not show up as installed in device manager no matter what I try including downloading the legacy FireWire driver. Need FireWire to control an $800 Ham Radio that is software defined meaning that it is knobless and controlled via the pc. Would a newer FireWire card with a different chipset help? Thanks.

[old_geekster]

@pdoughboy , welcome to the forum.

Your best option would be to contact StarTech's Tech Support using their Chat Live option.  I have used them many times with great success.  I have no doubt that they will help you solve your problem.  There is no way of knowing which, if any, add-on cards will work.  This is the first time that I have heard of problems with Firewire cards and HP motherboards.  The cards manufacturer would be responsible for providing any necessary software or driver.

Please click the Thumbs up + button if I have helped you and click Accept as Solution if your problem is solved.

[pdoughboy]

Thanks for the reply, I have contacted StarTech support and the best they could offer is that Windows 10 has discontinued support of FireWire but a workaround would be to download the legacy FireWire driver and try that. Problem is that you need to see the device in device manager before you can update it's driver to the legacy. They also mentioned that the chipset of my mother board might not be compatible with the chipset of the FireWire card and that a possible workaround would be to try a card with a different chipset. I'm not opposed to that except the cards I'm trying run between $35 to $56.00 and it's been time consuming.

[old_geekster]

You are welcome, @pdoughboy!

It appears that I wasted your time since you had already contacted StarTech's Tech Support.  I would have recommended a StarTech card because they are very high quality.  I wish that I had more to offer, but as I stated, it is difficult to know which cards will be compatible with HP motherboards.  HP has their boards made to their specifications.  This means that they are not always the same as retail boards.  The only computers that seem to be easy to upgrade are their gaming computers.

Good luck!

[pdoughboy]

Have ordered another StarTech card with chipset for FireWire type A & B to see if that helps resolve my issue, will report back. Thanks again.