ROM dumping?

Looks like it works as a terminator on Ethernet interface.

Maybe to re-use the pulse transformer for MIDI (in-lieu of an opto-isolator ) ? Or some other similar use case ?

Some good guesses here, but no cigar =) I've finished with the gem blade, another visual clue...(other side of PCI connector is the same);

Since you removed the pci connectors my guess is that this card will end up in a pci slot but you want the system to ignore it.

You also removed the chip. So the card will not comunicate by itself.

I think you want to add an rj45 connector to another network card that don't have one. (Which use a different medium. coax ?)
By slotting this one next to the other and connecting them by some mean.

There are some cards that have both coax and rj45. And some where the rj45 connector is not populated. So i guess this could work

Cigar ?

Is it going to be a vanity keyring?

Or an ethernet cable holder inside your computer?

Got it. Your're gonna plug a short piece of cable in there, the other end into the real nic, then use it as a carry handle.

The goal is obviously to secure the computer from all the Internet threats.
With that card, you can still be connected, yet perfectly safe.
Only the paranoid survive!

File it down and sell it as a shiv in the local prison. Without the metal on the connectors it will get through the metal detector.

Looks like "Mr. Proper" is the closest to the correct answer. We'll see...

Using it to plug a back panel hole on a low profile case OR wiring it as a xover for ether cable testing....

An Ethernet loopback adapter ?

Zerthimon wrote on 2024-01-03, 11:01:

An Ethernet loopback adapter ?

So that's the 127.0.0.1 interface! 🤣

Keep off dust and spiders from an used PCI slot, pretty obvious.

Ok I'll bite.
It doesn't make any sense to remove the PCI pins, unless you want to eventually put it in a PCI slot.
But it also doesn't make any sense to remove the bracket and have it dangling with its weight in one.
So I admit I have no idea what you plan to do with practically just a RJ45 socket that can sit in a PCI slot.

Motherboard with onboard NIC that requires a proprietary - unobtainium - riser. Hacking this disposable NIC to act as said riser.

konc wrote on 2024-01-03, 13:54:

But it also doesn't make any sense to remove the bracket and have it dangling with its weight in one.

It's more convenient to temporary remove the bracket while scraping out the PCI slot contact pads/fingers.

🤣 ....glad all you hoopy froods remembered to bring your towels... lots of .. 'inventive' guesses there =)

But still no cigar....

analog_programmer wrote on 2024-01-03, 16:14:

It's more convenient to temporary remove the bracket while scraping out the PCI slot contact pads/fingers.

...yes, that's correct ~ bracket's been temporarily removed to facilitate process ... it will be going back on...

Next visual clue.... made some measurements, decided to use the nibblers to start cutting out excess...

Maybe an adapter for hooking up an old RJ45 connected HP keyboard to a more common interface?

I have some such things, but I'm not sure an RJ45 is a good fit, the connector was a bit thinner I think.