| Author |
Topic: NIC (Network Card) ??? |
Gary Baker
From:
Charlotte, North Carolina
|
Posted 22 Aug 2009 6:18 am |
|
I have an XP with a NIC (network) card built into the motherboard. It has finally died. Can I just just set that network connection to "disable" and add a new PCI network card (and set the defaults)and move on. I don't know of anyway to "replace" a motherboard NIC?
thanks for any help.
PS: I've done the normal "elimination" process with a second computer so I know it is not the "IPS", "router", CAT5 etc. as this second PC works fine. I've traced it all the way back to the NIC card.
Bo |
|
|
 |
Jack Stoner
From:
Kansas City, MO
|
Posted 22 Aug 2009 7:23 am
|
|
Rarely does the Ethernet "NIC" hardware go bad.
Two things to try before getting a PCI NIC card.
1. Uninstall the NIC in the Device Manager, then restart the PC and the NIC will be detected and reinstalled.
2. If #1 does not fix it, reinstall the drivers for the NIC.
To access the Device Manager, Hold the Windows key down and press the Pause/Break key. In the Device Manager, RIGHT click on the entry for the NIC and then LEFT click on Uninstall. |
|
|
|
Wiz Feinberg
From:
Mid-Michigan, USA
|
Posted 22 Aug 2009 8:45 am
|
|
Gary;
Have you been experiencing any connectivity problems leading up to this failure, or was it sudden? Did you run any optional hardware updates through Windows Update?
Were there any recent lightening strikes nearby?
Follow Jack's recommendations. If no happy happy, what happens when you try to enable the NIC in Device Manager? Can you rollback the driver in Device Manager?
Try System Restore to a point before the NIC failed. Something may have corrupted the driver file.
Try a different Ethernet cable to the router. Try a different port in the router. Routers sometimes lose channels, from overheating.
Last, but not least: Turn off the computer and router for ten minutes. Turn on the router then boot the computer. See if this restores your normal operation.
Finally, to answer your question: Yes, you can disable the built-in NIC in your BIOS, then add a separate 10/100 (or better) add-on NIC to a compatible slot on your motherboard. Follow instructions accompanying the card regarding installing the driver. Make sure the power is disconnected before installing the card.
_________________
"Wiz" Feinberg, Moderator SGF Computers Forum
Security Consultant
Twitter: @Wizcrafts
Main web pages: Wiztunes Steel Guitar website | Wiz's Security Blog | My Webmaster Services | Wiz's Security Blog |
|
|
|
Gary Baker
From:
Charlotte, North Carolina
|
Posted 22 Aug 2009 8:56 am
|
|
| Jack Stoner wrote: |
Rarely does the Ethernet "NIC" hardware go bad.
Two things to try before getting a PCI NIC card.
1. Uninstall the NIC in the Device Manager, then restart the PC and the NIC will be detected and reinstalled.
2. If #1 does not fix it, reinstall the drivers for the NIC.
To access the Device Manager, Hold the Windows key down and press the Pause/Break key. In the Device Manager, RIGHT click on the entry for the NIC and then LEFT click on Uninstall. |
Jack, thanks for the advise. I'll give this a shot. However, I think this is one of those "rare occasions" due to my own fault. I have an E-Mu 1820m audio interface card installed into a PCI slot and it uses a CAT5 chord with "phantom power" to an off board interface.
Dummy connected the CAT5 chord from the "power source unit" to the NIC card by mistake and I think the power "fryed" the NIC.
Strange thing is the network manager indicates that the NIC is working but a cable is not attached???
I think this just means that while the card is OK the CAT5 plug is fried. Any thoughts? |
|
|
|
Gary Baker
From:
Charlotte, North Carolina
|
Posted 22 Aug 2009 9:22 am
|
|
| Wiz Feinberg wrote: |
Gary;
Have you been experiencing any connectivity problems leading up to this failure, or was it sudden? Did you run any optional hardware updates through Windows Update?
Were there any recent lightening strikes nearby?
Follow Jack's recommendations. If no happy happy, what happens when you try to enable the NIC in Device Manager? Can you rollback the driver in Device Manager?
Try System Restore to a point before the NIC failed. Something may have corrupted the driver file.
Try a different Ethernet cable to the router. Try a different port in the router. Routers sometimes lose channels, from overheating.
Last, but not least: Turn off the computer and router for ten minutes. Turn on the router then boot the computer. See if this restores your normal operation.
Finally, to answer your question: Yes, you can disable the built-in NIC in your BIOS, then add a separate 10/100 (or better) add-on NIC to a compatible slot on your motherboard. Follow instructions accompanying the card regarding installing the driver. Make sure the power is disconnected before installing the card. |
Wiz, thanks for the responce. See my comments in responce to Jack's answer. This was my own doing in connecting a CAT5 that had a "power" source - small amp but power none-the-less to the NIC card.
My computer was hanging up upon a reboot and I disconneced everything and rebooted(after tuning off the power for 5 min.). Discovered that a USB hard drive was causing the XP to "hang".
However, in reconnecting everything back up I plugged the dang audio CAT5 chord into the NIC instead of the E-Mu1820m and my LAN is not working.
I have another computer that is on the same router and I have used the same router port, same CAT5 cable and it works fine on the network.
Strange but the Device Manger indicates that the NIC is working "properly" but that a cable is not connected. This has lead me to believe that the NIC CAT5 plug is damaged due to my carelessness. Thus the need for a new network card. They are cheep so that is not an issue.
I do have a backup restore point a few days prior to this so I could try that but it sure seems to me that the plug is gone. Especially since the E-mu documentation warns against plugging the power unit into a NIC card. Dumb, Dumb.
Again thank you for the help, I'll see what I can do.
Do I Really need to disable the on-board NIC in the BIOS or can I just add a new PCI card and not use the on-board?
Thanks as always for your great support.
Blessings, Bo |
|
|
|
Wiz Feinberg
From:
Mid-Michigan, USA
|
Posted 22 Aug 2009 9:26 am
|
|
Gary;
If you have done everything that Jack and I suggested in our replies, go out and buy an add-on NIC that is compatible with your motherboard sockets. They aren't that expensive and only take a few minutes to install.
Be careful when plugging in anything containing its own power. I recommend getting a different color Ethernet cable for that audio card. Use red or yellow for that card and gray or blue for your router connection.
_________________
"Wiz" Feinberg, Moderator SGF Computers Forum
Security Consultant
Twitter: @Wizcrafts
Main web pages: Wiztunes Steel Guitar website | Wiz's Security Blog | My Webmaster Services | Wiz's Security Blog |
|
|
|
Wiz Feinberg
From:
Mid-Michigan, USA
|
Posted 22 Aug 2009 9:30 am
|
|
Gary;
Yes, disable the built-in NIC in the BIOS if it is defective. This will free up its IRQ and memory addresses for the new card to use. Also, disabling it will prevent any damage from its problem flowing through to the motherboard. Do that now.
_________________
"Wiz" Feinberg, Moderator SGF Computers Forum
Security Consultant
Twitter: @Wizcrafts
Main web pages: Wiztunes Steel Guitar website | Wiz's Security Blog | My Webmaster Services | Wiz's Security Blog |
|
|
|
Gary Baker
From:
Charlotte, North Carolina
|
Posted 22 Aug 2009 9:43 am
|
|
| Wiz Feinberg wrote: |
Gary;
Yes, disable the built-in NIC in the BIOS if it is defective. This will free up its IRQ and memory addresses for the new card to use. Also, disabling it will prevent any damage from its problem flowing through to the motherboard. Do that now. |
OK, thanks WIZ, yes . . . very dumb dumb on my part . . . the colored CAT5 chord will be my NEXT purchase - along with a new card. I'm at work so have not tried all the items you and Jack suggested but I will.
Thanks to you and Jack for great PC support.
Blessings to all, bo |
|
|
|
Gary Baker
From:
Charlotte, North Carolina
|
Posted 24 Aug 2009 10:02 am
|
|
Just a BIG thanks to Jack and Wiz for the help. Uninstalled the on-board NIC and installed a new 10/100/1000 NIC and all is well!!!! Yea!!!
Thank you kind sirs!
bo |
|
|
|
Wiz Feinberg
From:
Mid-Michigan, USA
|
|
|
|
