Two Identical NICs In The Same Computer? 1

[jimkloss]

I recently got DSL which required an ethernet connection. Installed a 2nd network card into my computer, IDENTICAL to the one that was already there. (ASound is the manufacturer - cheapies.) Generally I run fine, but have noticed instability whenever I use my soundcard (Layla 24 - a high-end professional card.) After using the soundcard for a certain amount of time (generally a few minutes) my DSL network connection hangs - nothing can go in/out the DSL modem. (Happens no matter what audio software I use; Winamp, Real Player, Cubase, Wavelab, Acid3, etc.) If I right mouse click on any of the network icons on the righthand side of the taskbar, I frequently get no response. If I am able to bring up properties and try to disable that part of the network, I get no response. System never freezes solid, but when I go to shutdown, I freeze at 'saving settings'. Again, this only started happening when I installed my 2nd NIC in the same machine and started using DSL.

Any thoughts? I miss not being able to listen to my tunes when surfing the web...

 

[jimkloss]

One other salient point: As per instructions on several audio sites (

http://www.laurencepayne.freeserve.co.uk/CubaseFAQ2.htm#5),

I have disabled ACPI on my machine so it is a 'standard machine'. Not sure if this would contribute to my two identical NIC cards / audio lockups, but thought I should mention it.

 

[TheGoodRev]

Just a guess, but is it a resource issue, IRQ conflict perhaps? I dont know what the consequences of having 2 identical NICS are.

 

[tlcscousin]

No consequence to having two identical NIC cards.They both have unique MAC addresses. The problem could be the NIC that is hooked up to the DSL and the sound card could both be using the same IRQ. Try moving the NIC or sound card to a different PCI slot.

 

[jimkloss]

Here are the IRQ's assigned (turning off ACPI is what allowed me to get the sound card off a shared interrupt with other cards):

IRQs

5 - Asound 10/100M Based Fast Ethernet #1
9 - VIA USB Universal Host Controller
9 - Asound 10/100M Based Fast Ethernet #2
10 - Layla24 (WDM) Soundcard
11 - NVidia Riva TNT (display)
11 - Win2000 Maxtor Ultra ATA 133 IDE Controller (disk controller)

So - it doesn't appear to me that a shared interrupt is the problem. Any other suggestions????

 

[xyrx]

By chance, is the DSL modem next to your computer speakers? I've had a user who had problems with her DSL until I had her move the dsl modem like to the corner of the room. After that, not a single issue.

My suggestion is to put the DSL modem 3-feet from anything that uses power, like a lamp, computer monitor, etc. Also, make sure the phone cord for the DSL modem is 10-feet or less, and it doesn't run along the wall next to a power strip, fans, nuclear reactors, or bionic cockroaches.

 

[CharlieJax]

Heh... bionic cockroaches... CJ
- Paper MCSE in training

 

[jimkloss]

Okay - I moved the DSL model away from all power sources etc. Will see what happens...thanks for the suggestion!

 

[rblue]

Who is your DSL provider and what type of DSL modem do you have?

Verizon's Fujitsu modems are known for going to sleep intermittently...

 

[jimkloss]

DSL provider is local (Matanuska Telephone in Palmer, Alaska) and DSL modem is Paradyne Reach DSL.

 

[SoulAssassin]

Just out of curiosity, why do you have two nics installed on one pc? Are you routing the dsl connection through software on that pc? If not, get rid of the second nic. Even if you are using your pc as a software router, get the nic out and use a hardware router. I've had good success with linksys routers.

As with the two nics, I have always had some issue with two nics in the same pc. Usually it takes a bit of configuration and a little bit of frustration before no conflicts or any other issues arise.

 

[jimkloss]

Final Resolution:

(Yes, I had 2 NICS because I was using a software proxy server. I did get a Linksys and love it ... but that did NOT resolve the problem with a 'hung network' whenever using my Layla soundcard.)

Final resolution: got rid of the cheapie Asound network card and installed a higher quality Belkin Ethernet card. Everything now works without problems even under a lot of netword / soundcard stress.

Sometimes ya get whatcha pay for!

Thanks for all the suggestions...