EtherExpress Pro/100B PCI adapter T4 problems

[baracuda]

We have a netgear ethernet hub (en116 Cat5) and about 7 computers networked at my workplace. It is a peer-to-peer setup in a predominately Win98 environment. One computer acts as a sort of server by being directly cabled to the hub. This computer has an Intel EtherExpress Pro/100B PCI adapter (T4) which has caused us problems a couple of times by suddenly failing. The driver reinstall for the adapter is a nightmare. During the latest failure, I have been unable to get the adapter reinstalled. I have tried reinstalling it from every angle I can think of but nothing has worked (i.e., through the device manager, add hardware, removing and then rebooting, etc.). During all of my attempts I would sometimes get recognition that the adapter was there, sometimes not. When it was recognized in the Device Manager, it was usually with the yellow exclamation point, but one time it actually showed it was working properly, but then I couldn't get the computer to recognize the other computers on the network despite reconfiguring the settings such as IP address.

Simultaneous to the adapter problem, the system has been going to the list where you could choose a "safe-mode, normal, etc." startup automatically whenever the computer is rebooted rather than loading normally right into Windows. I thought maybe I would try reinstalling Win98 but then got an invalid page fault in Suwin(?). I am considering purchasing a new adapter but don't know what to look for. Any suggestions on any of these issues would be most appreciated.

 

[edfair]

Probably would suggest the same adapter if available and that is what you are using in the other machines. It sounds like the installed one has gone bad.


Ed Fair
Give the wrong symptoms, get the wrong solutions.

 

[jimbopalmer]

I worry about the T4 in the model number. In the depths of time, when 100 meg ethernet came out there were 2 'standards' TX used 2 pairs of Cat 5 cable, T4 used 4 pairs of Cat 3 cable. I have NEVER seen any T4 equipment, it was a dead standard insisted on by those who hoped not to rewire their Cat 3, but I wonder if you found a T4 product and it just won't work with the TX stuff at faster than 10 meg.

I tried to remain child-like, all I acheived was childish.

 

[baracuda]

Jimbopalmer - you are confirming my suspicions as to the adapter being obsolete. My experience with this adapter has led me to believe that T4 is an odd set-up and not something that was used very often even back when it was new to the market. My knowledge of network configuration is limited -- this particular arrangement was designed by an outside consultant and unfortunately no one internal to the organization had any knowledge about how things worked when the consultant no longer worked for us. I believe installing another type of adapter is where I want to go but I don't what criteria to use in selecting the adapter. Any ideas?

 

[bcastner]

http://support.intel.com/support/network/adapter/pro100/pro100b/30859.htm