Hi,

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When I install the card into an open PCI slot, the computer recognizes the new hardware. In the Hardware Device Manager I see all new items without exclamation marks, all as it shows in the manual should be.

But when I plug an external DVD drive to this new USB 2.0 port it is not recognized. The computer detects that something is plugged but it says that Device is not recognized.
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Sounds as if your USB card is, in itself, working fine. Bear in mind that all USB devices (i.e. hardware hooked up to a USB port) need their own drivers to pull data off the wire. Have you just tried using a USB mouse (should be a generic driver present for that). If that works then your problem lies with the drivers for the other USB hardware...

Regards,
Viv