Ethernet problems?

[Thumper]

Ok another one for the Geeks just hope I can follow the answers assuming some one knows the answer.

When I went broadband my PC had a problem connecting, a friend came to the conclusion that my inbuilt Ethernet card was either faulty or at least suspect, it is a (Rhine11 fast Ethernet adaptor)
His solution was to fit a new card it was a (D-Link DFe-5387x 10/100 adaptor) if that's relevant.
Problem is I have identified a conflict it appears the 2 cards are causing my broadband to malfunction, dropping out failing to connect at random.
I kept blaming my ISP but it seems it is my PC. Dose this make any sense or am I talking garbage

[Viking]

Is there a way to disable the inbuilt Ethernet port?

If it's hardware there should be a BIOS setting to turn it off. If you can't do that, then (I assume you're using a Windows machine) disable it in the 'Hardware Profile'.

(I'm not a Windows user, so have only a vague idea of how to do that sort of stuff...)

[Thumper]

I'm not sure but have tried to do that Viking but to be honest I'm out of my depth, it is a windows system. Loathed to go to a PC shop I will have some fun trying to learn on the job I am considering a new machine anyway.

[Aladinsaneuk]

OK -= to disable the device in windows, go to control panel, device manager, find the device, right click, properties, select disable in this hardware profile... doesn't always work though! (Trust me, I have been caught by this once before!)

so - lets start with the real simple part - is the ethernet adapter built on to the mother board?

Easy way to tell - is the port that you plug the cable into next to the pair or two pair of USB ports?

OK - if it is on the mobo, then we play with the bios. If not, pop the side of the case off, find the Network card, undo the retaining screw and pull it out - end of prob :) (Please make sure you don't pull the new one out....)

BUT - bios... is actually very easy.

I am assuming that you no longer have the manual that came with the mobo - if not, and you know what mobo it is, go to the makers web site and download the manual - it will detail in there how to get into the bios, and what part of the bios has the network settings

If you don't have a clue, no worries.

Turn the PC on, and watch the screen - more often than not, it will tell you how to enter the bios, or setup as it is sometimes called. Noemally you press the delete key - the one above the curser, or arrow keys. Other common ones are F1 or F2 by the way.

Now you are into the bios, there are a lot of things to note here - main one being don't f**k with stuff unless you know what you are doing - you will not do serious harm, but will need to have a shop sort it!

But, we continue - using the arrow keys, and the return key, you can navigate around the various parts of the bios, at a guess you are looking for something like "Integrated Peripherals" or "On Board Devices" - find that, and then select it and enter.

You will find a fair few things listed there - modem, sound, usb etc - but also onboard Network adapter - or maybe just NIC - either way, move down to it, and when highlighted, press the correct key - may be space, or enter - it will tell you on the screen. Once changed, press escape a couple of times to get back to the main screen where it will ask you if you want to save changes - the answer is yes :)

now wait while pc restarts and you should have no network card bar the new one :)

[BFG]

Problem is I have identified a conflict it appears the 2 cards are causing my broadband to malfunction, dropping out failing to connect at random.

That's unlikely. :) Ethernet cards either work or they don't. If it works at all, it works. If there was any conflict (never seen one in a hundred installs), it wouldn't work at all.

I'd look elsewhere for the problem. I'd try swapping out the ethernet cable, just in case it's got a loose connection or your using a crossover cable by mistake.

What were the symptoms which made you suspect this?
A check - When the broadband drops off, ping your router's IP address from the PC. Do this by opening a MS-DOS shell windows and type:
PING 192.168.0.1
(Change this number for the actual router number).


If you get a ping back, your ethernet hardware is sound.

What's the rest of the network setup? Oh - and which OS? :)

[Thumper]

Beginning to regret this one

OK I suspect the cards BFG because I ran a scan using a google tool that said I had two Ethernet cards that had conflicts.

I know my router is OK and the cables work and it does ping most times. The problem is ongoing drop outs and failed connections explorer can't display etc, mess about reboot disconnecting router until it feels like working.

I have now disabled the cards and my network as I only run one PC at the moment. I have now connected a Sagem fast adsl and ditched the router connected through usb it works fine. That is until I reboot my PC and then I get trouble opening explorer it seams to freeze, only way I can connect is to press Control Alt Delete and the the thing will usually boot and run properly
Cleaned my PC of all spyware checked and ran scans with various tools my PC is squeaky clean, ran registry checkers etc, Nothing.

Aldinsaneuk, yes one card is as you discribe and built in, it's suspect couldn't get it to work, this is why I put in the D-link card that now sites in the bottom slot. I now how to get at the Bios but I would be dangerous in there .
Tiny.com went bust no back up I got a pal who is a little smarter than I am so I will wait for him to help with that if required. I would like to re use the router when I get this lot sorted out.

Thanks for the help I wish I could use my spanners on it

[Kwackerz]

Anglegrinder. Trust me. It'll never give you any problems ever again.

[Aladinsaneuk]

this is, i think, driver/os related

strongly suggest you back up data u want to keep, then reformat and reinstall

(i think - could be wrong but....)

[Thumper]

OK it's working at last, I need to give it a day or two before I'm certain but thanks guys for the good advice and support

I have reinstated the router to the inbuilt PC Ethernet card and disabled the D-Link. I have found the PC card will work with explorer if I don't try to run a automatic install for my connection, this has left me with no little PC screen in my start up menu but to hell with it it works properly for the first time ever and is faster than the Added D-link card and the adsl sagem usb modam.

It would seem to be a software glitch of some kind in pinning my connection to explorer but don't ask me what is the cause