You cant insert them incorrectly as 16bit ISA and PCI, AGP, PCIe have keys, I guess 8 bit ISA cards might be able to be inserted incorrectly but even then I doubt it very much since PCI/AGP/PCIe=components facing down/left, ISA = components facing up/right.

Unless I'm misunderstanding what you mean.

TrashPanda wrote on 2022-02-05, 04:32:

You cant insert them incorrectly as 16bit ISA and PCI, AGP, PCIe have keys, I guess 8 bit ISA cards might be able to be inserted incorrectly but even then I doubt it very much since PCI/AGP/PCIe=components facing down/left, ISA = components facing up/right.

Unless I'm misunderstanding what you mean.

Early and late generation pci swap the location of the notch,

8 bit isa can be inserted backwards.

Double notch pci can go in whichever way you want if you don’t have a bracket on the card.

I have three cards without brackets. And one day I’m gonna screw up I fear.

I mean I guess maybe those isa diagnostic cards like the one Adrian uses in this vid could confuse peeps if they forgot the direction for a second or something.
https://youtu.be/XLqY4MjlwVk?t=1353

AppleSauce wrote on 2022-02-05, 05:32:

I mean I guess maybe those isa diagnostic cards like the one Adrian uses in this vid could confuse peeps if they forgot the direction for a second or something.
https://youtu.be/XLqY4MjlwVk?t=1353

This is one of the cards I am talking about.

Not only can you install it backwards in ISA

If you install the pci edge in a modern motherboard it will be in backwards because of the notch flip that pci did

But if you're that phobic about it maybe put a colored dot sticker on the correct side up or a label?

Sphere478 wrote on 2022-02-05, 05:31:

Early and late generation pci swap the location of the notch, […]
Show full quote

TrashPanda wrote on 2022-02-05, 04:32:

You cant insert them incorrectly as 16bit ISA and PCI, AGP, PCIe have keys, I guess 8 bit ISA cards might be able to be inserted incorrectly but even then I doubt it very much since PCI/AGP/PCIe=components facing down/left, ISA = components facing up/right.

Unless I'm misunderstanding what you mean.

Early and late generation pci swap the location of the notch,

8 bit isa can be inserted backwards.

Double notch pci can go in whichever way you want if you don’t have a bracket on the card.

I have three cards without brackets. And one day I’m gonna screw up I fear.

I honestly forgot about the pci notch swap / facepalm

Sorry about that.

AppleSauce wrote on 2022-02-05, 05:34:

But if you're that phobic about it maybe put a colored dot sticker on the correct side up or a label?

I did. But nothing beats physical orientation verification. Imagine if simms didn’t have the notch.

TrashPanda wrote on 2022-02-05, 07:42:

Sphere478 wrote on 2022-02-05, 05:31:

Early and late generation pci swap the location of the notch, […]
Show full quote

TrashPanda wrote on 2022-02-05, 04:32:

You cant insert them incorrectly as 16bit ISA and PCI, AGP, PCIe have keys, I guess 8 bit ISA cards might be able to be inserted incorrectly but even then I doubt it very much since PCI/AGP/PCIe=components facing down/left, ISA = components facing up/right.

Unless I'm misunderstanding what you mean.

Early and late generation pci swap the location of the notch,

8 bit isa can be inserted backwards.

Double notch pci can go in whichever way you want if you don’t have a bracket on the card.

I have three cards without brackets. And one day I’m gonna screw up I fear.

I honestly forgot about the pci notch swap / facepalm

Sorry about that.

No worries.

Sphere478 wrote on 2022-02-05, 04:10:

I’m sure most of us who have delt with bracketless pci and isa cards have felt the dred of worrying if it is in correctly or eve […]
Show full quote

I’m sure most of us who have delt with bracketless pci and isa cards have felt the dred of worrying if it is in correctly or even the anger of finding out that it wasn’t

It occurs to me that some sort of 3d printed thing could be designed and glued to the cards to prevent them from being inserted incorrectly.

Specifically cards like blue lava xt-ide, voltage blaster, diag cards.

My idea is something that slips on the edge of the pcb and is glued, and hangs down between the rear bracket and edge of slot.

Any 3d render wizards willing to make and sell such a thing? To us non 3d printer owning plebeians?

I think I get what you want, and can see why you worry. Could design something for you, that's a ten minute job. Won't print and send them though, would probably be more expensive than having a local shop printing them for you anyways.

Only problem is the part where it slips on the edge of the card. Will be hard to make something universal, since different cards got different component layouts. If you post pics of your cards so I can get an idea of their layouts, I could draw something that would fit them at least. Measurements aren't necessary, can use the PCI/ISA edge connectors as references.

Just whack your head with a hammer whenever it happens. You'll soon stop doing it.

AppleSauce wrote on 2022-02-05, 05:34:

But if you're that phobic about it maybe put a colored dot sticker on the correct side up or a label?

Something like this is probably what I would do. Could even use some paper tape on the back if I really want the arrow to stand out.
Tbh I can't say this has ever been much of a problem for me. Only cards I ever used that didn't have the L-shaped bracket were some pci cards (PC reborn or something) meant to prevent certain morons from messing with the internet PCs so we could simply put back a working install instead of having to actually open up the case to fix the damage done.

But there's always the manual, right? 😜

Errius wrote on 2022-02-05, 08:56:

Just whack your head with a hammer whenever it happens. You'll soon stop doing it.

Advantage is that after you wacked it with a hammer and flipped the power switch, it will melt together for that extra secure fit! 🤣

Errius wrote on 2022-02-05, 08:56:

Just whack your head with a hammer whenever it happens. You'll soon stop doing it.

this tbh

seriously though, solder side / component side - not hard