What NIC to buy?

[cjbrown815]

Hi All, Windows XP, 2.4 Gb homemade

Please help. I have a Spitfire (generic homemade from Tiger Direct) that for the most part treated me kindly. I have DSL AT&T. Recently I lost power to the modem, bought a new modem (2wire, 4 port switch and wireless), I'm not using the wireless part. After installing the new modem, I'm getting the same problem, the connectivity is low or none. Tech support at about 11:30 last night finally said it must be my ethernet card. Now I need to replace it, but how do I know what to buy? Will I need to open it up and look at it? Will it say right on it? Is there a standard NIC?

Thanks,

-CJ

 

[jimbopalmer]

If you are asking what NIC do you have now, the System control panel under Hardware, has a Device Manager. (Consider updating the drivers once you find out, it is cheaper than buying hardware)

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

 

[cjbrown815]

Thanks for the response,
I did that, went to device manager, updated drivers, rolled back drivers, uninstalled adaptor, rebooted and let it find the hardware and reinstall the drivers. The light on the card is flashing so I know it's sending some kind of transmission. I think it's hardware failure. Is the label in device manager the same as the card itself?

-CJ

 

[edfair]

There are other issues with XP that can cause the problems.
Do you know if you have a built-in NIC or an expansion card NIC?
What modem/router/switch/wireless part do you have? Manufacturer and model number?
And do you have the manual?
Before you replace the NIC it might be wise to do some diagnostics and reset the IP.




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

 

[cjbrown815]

its a "VIA Compatable Fast ethernet Adaptor" I believe it's an expension card and the modem I just got from AT&T, it s a 2WIRE model 2701HG (the modem is all-in-one, 4 port switch in the back, wireless)

-CJ

 

[edfair]

start, control panel, network connections, right click conn
(it did say connected, didn't it)
properties, highlight IP, properties, check for obtain address automatically

exit out

start , run, cmd, ipconfig and tell us what the ip address sets up

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

 

[cjbrown815]

I opened it up last night, it's a integrated ethernet not expanded and the IP is windows default 168.xxx.
I'm starting to think its a motherboard issue. I'm not sure how to get it to obtain an IP from the modem. AT&T said it should start with a 192.xxx, the ipconfig returns the same, 168.xxx

-CJ

 

[jimbopalmer]

If you get to deciding to replace it, the Intel Pro series has been good to me.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2050400027 50001157&bop=And&Order=PRICE

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

 

[cjbrown815]

How do I know what is compatible for replacement?
I got these off the mb but I cant find anything on google?

P4YA PRO
C2829005406
D33172


-CJ

 

[cjbrown815]

are all NIC's 32 bit PCI?

-CJ

 

[cjbrown815]

OK, so basically I have to figure out which expansion slot I have. PCI, PCIe,

-CJ

 

[dearingkr]

Any PCI network adapter will work.
But I agree with jimbopalmer, stay away from the off-name/no-name ones, you can't go wrong with an Intel nic.

MCSE CCNA CCDA