PCI compliance issue most likely. I have this same problem with a cheapo USB 2.0 PCI card. It works in some mobos but not all.

Thanks for the info. So I am out of luck in that case.

I found the original manufacturer: http://www.lycom.com.tw/NW200.htm
They state:
-Compliant with PCI Specification, revision 2.2
-32 bit, 33MHz fully compliant PCI host interface
-Integrated PCI DMA engine

The card contains a Realtek RTL8169SC chip and a NEC 0720101GJ chip. The first one for LAN the latter for USB 2.0. I thought Nec was a good brand for USB chipsets.

My normal USB 2.0 card was from the cheapo 'Sweex' brand and has a VIA VT6212L chip. That one works fine.

Well who knows, the mobo could be the problem. Maybe it's not fully compliant.

My Abit BF6 440BX is very picky about PCI cards and what slots they go in, but the cheapo USB 2.0 (VIA chip) card prevents POST entirely. I have problems with NICs, UltraATA cards, sound cards, etc. It have to juggle slots until the board's happy. It is probably the most picky board I've used.

My particular mainboard:

Soyo SY-6BA+III 100MHz FSB Pentium II Processor Based ATX Mainboard with AGP port Intel 440BX 5 x 32 bit Bus Mastering PCI slots […]
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Soyo SY-6BA+III
100MHz FSB Pentium II Processor Based ATX Mainboard with AGP port
Intel 440BX
5 x 32 bit Bus Mastering PCI slots (v2.1 compliant)

I just read that SOYO is no more, bankrupt in may 2009, RIP SOYO...

FOR A VIA APOLLO PRO MAINBOARD: It's should be noted that the Trinity 400 is PCI 2.2 compliant, meaning that 3.3v standby power […]
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FOR A VIA APOLLO PRO MAINBOARD:
It's should be noted that the Trinity 400 is PCI 2.2 compliant,
meaning that 3.3v standby power is required for all PCI slots, DIMM banks,
and PS/2 outputs, so be sure to unplug the AC power cord before adding or removing any peripherals.
This is one of those times that a physical power switch on the power supply can come in handy.

So it seems like it might not be that mysterious. Now where to solder that 3,3 Volt line? 🙄 Or is there more to it?

Might try checking for motherboard BIOS updates.

I put an Asus Xonar DX sound card in my Athlon 64 X2 system (with an Asus motherboard!) and it prevented the second on-board SATA controller from working. Asus claimed that they couldn't replicate the issue, but that didn't help me any. One of the reasons I'm looking forward to building a new desktop is so I can move the Xonar DX over to the new machine and reconnect my offline SATA drives to my old system; it'll be like Christmas because it's been so long that I don't even remember what's on those drives now except for some B5/DS9 episodes 😀

Have you tried multiple combinations of pci cards in the slots?

Thanks for the suggestions.
I actually thought this PCI 2.1 vs 2.2 issue was a matter that could not be overcome, but after reading a bit more I am not so sure anymore. The additional 3,3V rail is optional in the PCI 2.2 specification anyways.

So I want ahead and tried some other card combinations in the system, and I found the following: The NW200 PCI card and my Abit Geforce MX440 don't like eachother. When I put in another Geforce MX200 or MX440 all seems to boot up OK. The abit is the faster 128-bit card though and has the old Vesa BIOS which allows refresh rates above 60Hz in Dos.

HunterZ wrote:

Might try checking for motherboard BIOS updates.

I already have the latest one flashed, for ages now.

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EDIT:
Hooked up another 440BX Mainboard, And tried the PCI card again. In this mainboard the PCI card dislikes all the above mentioned videocards. No video output again.
So it is decided: This PCI card is going back for a refund.
I would think USB 2.0 cards would be aimed at older mainboards with no USB ports or just USB 1.1, but the people who made this card seem to think differently.