Faulty Network card

[Ray]

Had some fun yesterday morning when I started up my main PC I couldn't get a network connection from it and the connection kept trying to acquire an IP address and failing. Tried all the usual checks like flushing the DNS cache and trying to renew the IP address from the command line without success. 

I've recently fitted Intel Pro1000GT adapters in my 2 desktops and my Server (these seem to be the ones that work best with WHS) fortunately these cards have a Hardware diagnostic option in their settings which I then ran on the faulty machine and it came up with a failure on the EEPROM test, I then swapped it for an identical card out of my other desktop and lo and behold everything works again. 

As this card is only 3 weeks old I'm now awaiting an RMA number to get it replaced under warranty.

[Rik]

Don't you just hate technology, Ray.

[Sebby]

Every piece of hardware should come with a diagnostics application.

[Ray]

Don't you just hate technology, Ray.

It can certainly be very frustrating at times, Rik, what I find annoying is the fact that your PC is working perfectly when you shut it down one day and then switch on the next day and something's gone pear shaped. 

[Ray]

Every piece of hardware should come with a diagnostics application.

Agreed, Sebby, certainly saves you a lot of time finding the problem.

[Glenn]

It can certainly be very frustrating at times, Rik, what I find annoying is the fact that your PC is working perfectly when you shut it down one day and then switch on the next day and something's gone pear shaped. 

Just like light bulbs, most things electrical seem to fail with the initial power surge when switched on

[Rik]

It can certainly be very frustrating at times, Rik, what I find annoying is the fact that your PC is working perfectly when you shut it down one day and then switch on the next day and something's gone pear shaped. 

It happened to my ADSL one day, Ray. Now that was bad. 

[Rik]

Just like light bulbs, most things electrical seem to fail with the initial power surge when switched on

I know how they feel.

[Ray]

Well I must say I'm impressed with Play.com over my faulty network card, I posted the faulty one back to them on Monday and I've just received an email from them saying they've processed it and are sending out a replacement asap, they've also credited my card with a refund of my postage costs as well. 

[Rik]

That's good to hear, Ray.

[Glenn]

Nice to hear good comments from a satisfied customer

[Sebby]

Play.com are very good when it comes to returns - I can also vouch for that.

[Simon]

Seconded. 

[Ray]

My replacement network card from play.com arrived at lunchtime today and is now installed and working.  that's good service, faulty one posted Monday PM and new replacement delivered and installed Thursday PM. 

[Rik]

That is good, Ray. Kudos to Play.com - especially as they have to get things through customs.

[Ray]

That is good, Ray. Kudos to Play.com - especially as they have to get things through customs.

Don't know whether they do, Rik, their returns address is in Banbury and the item was delivered by CityLink/Target, I suspect that although they are based in Jersey some of their goods are delivered direct from manufacturers/distributors in the UK.

[Rik]

Interesting. Is the address Chilvers Way (or something like that?).

[Ray]

Interesting. Is the address Chilvers Way (or something like that?).

It's here, Rik,

Play.com Returns
Unit 3A
Appletree Industrial estate
Chipping Warden
Banbury
Oxfordshire
OX17 1LL

[Rik]

Thanks, Ray. I asked because that was the address for Play.com used in the last incident of card fraud I suffered.