Network Card issue on Network

[sonroda]

Hi,
NT Server Domain with NT/Win2000 Client PC's.
Bought Win2k Acer Desktop machines - set up all ok for Domain but problem is that all these new machines intermittently lose Network Connectivity and packet loss on LAN.
Spoke to a Network Consultant who advised to change "speed/Duplex" speed for Network card from "Auto" to "100mb full" - tried this but still having problems.

 

[Nzarth]

A stab in the dark here, but do these cards have power management on them? and if so is it enable?

To check go into Device Manager and look in the device properties for the NIC and there should be a Power Management tab if it has this capability.

Nzarth

MCSA/MCSE (W2K), CCA

Working on CCNA

 

[bcastner]

. Place the Speed/Duplx settings back to 'Auto'. It is very unwise in most settings to second guess this setting if autonegotiation is available on the adapter. There are some switches with known issue, specify your switches here.

. See the discussion on autonegotiation and DNS issues with Win2k/XP as clients: FAQ779-4017

Your disconnection period is very close to the epiration of the local Netbio cache, and it sounds like there is an issue of the clients finding the server. The use of WINS or LMHOSTS would be recommended here if using a local DNS server is not possible.


MS-MVP
Windows - Networking

 

[sonroda]

After some investigation on the Internet there is a known issue with Broadcom NIC's (they are commonly used in DELL Machines)
The solution is to uncheck the Power Management feature of the NIC and use 100mb half duplex.
This seems to be working - so far.
I would be interested in your feedback.

 

[sonroda]

UPDATE
The Acer machines lose Network Connectivity on start up.
It seems that if i change the speed/duplex to any alternative value to the one set on start up (eg 100mb or auto) then the "network cable unplugged" message disappears" and i am back on the LAN.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated