Protection of computer system against incorrect card insertion during start-up

A computer system with safeguards against damage caused by improper card insertions, comprising:

• a power supply for providing power to the computer system;
• a circuit card having at least two card edge segments on an edge thereof;
• said card edge segments being spaced from each other;
• said card edge segments being of different widths;
• each said card edge segment having a conductive electrical finger thereon;
• said electrical fingers being electrically connected to each other;
• a card slot for receiving said circuit card, said card slot having a pair of connector contacts adapted to engage and make electrical contacts with said electrical fingers when said circuit card is properly seated in said card slot;
• a power inhibit circuit for inhibiting operation of the computer power supply;
• and
• an insertion detector for detecting the seating status of said card in said card slot, said insertion detector activating said power inhibit circuit unless said card is properly inserted to protect the computer system against damage.

A circuit card which protects a computer system from damage during start-up as a result of incorrect circuit card insertions, said circuit card adapted for insertion into a computer system having a card slot with a pair of spaced apart connector contacts adapted to engage said circuit card, a power supply, a power inhibit circuit for inhibiting operation of the computer power supply, and an insertion detector for detecting the seating status of said circuit card in said card slot, said circuit card comprising:

• a circuit card base;
• at least two card edge segments on an edge thereof;
• said card edge segments being spaced from each other;
• said card edge segments being of different widths;
• each said card edge segment having a conductive electrical finger thereon;
• said electrical fingers being electrically connected to each other;
• and
• a conductor coupled between said electrical fingers for providing an electrical path between said electrical fingers, said conductor adapted to complete an electrical path in said power inhibit circuit and to deactivate said power inhibit circuit only when said card is properly inserted to protect the computer system against damage.