I find it strange that software people will accept this level of flakiness from the hardware. Normally you would just send the card back, and request a replacement.

> One of the cards would only show up if I crossed my fingers when turning it on. Even reboots wouldn't cure it - I had to A/C power off and remove the power cable each time for 30 seconds.

This is ridiculous. Of course we are living through supply crunch, but that card is clearly defective hardware.