Ethernet problem

psp83 · May 27, 2008, 18:24:04

Quote from: Rik on May 27, 2008, 18:16:37
Looks good to me (you're not running Vista are you?).

Nope. XP on the one with the broken network. Only have Vista on this laptop.

Rik · May 27, 2008, 18:24:36

Go for it.

psp83 · May 27, 2008, 18:33:06

Thinking about getting a new switch aswell.. got any you would recommend?

Currently using an old router with the internet side of things switched off.

Rik · May 27, 2008, 18:34:30

I've never needed one, Paul, so no personal experience, but I'm sure someone will offer an opinion shortly.

Steve · May 27, 2008, 18:56:48

That adaptor according to google is on the vista hardware compatibility list. I use a engenius switch which I have had no problems with

http://www.solwise.co.uk/networking-copper-based-hubs-1gig-senao-8port.htm

Just wondered whether any signs of activity on the NIC LNK and ACT lights

psp83 · May 27, 2008, 19:40:06

Quote from: stevethegas on May 27, 2008, 18:56:48
Just wondered whether any signs of activity on the NIC LNK and ACT lights

They sometimes showed activity.. but now its gone to "limited or no" connection now

Sebby · May 27, 2008, 19:42:15

What about on the actual card?

psp83 · May 27, 2008, 19:46:11

if your talking about the lights on the port then there on aswell.

Dangerjunkie · May 27, 2008, 19:57:45

A thought...

If you download the Ubuntu Linux disc and run it off the CD (don't install it so it doesn't change anything on you hard drive) you could see if the net works on that. If it works on that consistently then you know you have a Windows problem. If you get the same symptoms then you know you have a hardware or a network problem.

http://www.ubuntu.com/getubuntu/download

Cheers,
Paul.

Sebby · May 27, 2008, 20:28:30

Good suggestion.

doc_holiday · May 27, 2008, 20:57:16

Quote from: psp83 on May 26, 2008, 20:42:25
Any ideas what is going on?

Have you looked under "Device Manager" to see what windows is saying about the state of your ethernet card? Also, have you installed any Windows updates (or have it set automatically), that might have messed up your card? I know that new drivers are released from time to time, but I think they are generally put in the "optional" category and don't install automatically.

Dangerjunkie · May 27, 2008, 22:42:06

Another thought...

Have you tried unplugging everything else from the router, taking the switch out and plugging the problem machine directly into the router?

I had a machine with a faulty network card a few months back. The machine with the fault appeared to work fine but when you connected it to the switch it caused other machines to fail. I think it was either jabbering continuously or echoing everything it received back onto the network. It seemed to be causing the routing table in the switch to overflow and the switch to fail.

Have you tried swapping the plugs round on the switch and router to make sure you haven't got a duff port on something? Does the cable from the PC to the switch run with mains cables or near any source of interference, like the base of a DECT phone, anything with a motor in it, any kind of radio transmitter?...

I use a Dlink DES1016 which seems to be very similar to the current model http://www.dlink.com/products/?sec=0&pid=71 . It works really well. We've used LG (unmanaged) and Linksys (managed) switches at work and they seem to be fine too. I had a brief flirt with Netgear but after loads of problems I had to toss it out.

Cheers,
Paul.

psp83 · May 28, 2008, 20:02:15

Quote from: Dangerjunkie on May 27, 2008, 22:42:06
Another thought...

Have you tried unplugging everything else from the router, taking the switch out and plugging the problem machine directly into the router?

Done that.

Quote from: doc_holiday on May 27, 2008, 20:57:16
Have you looked under "Device Manager" to see what windows is saying about the state of your ethernet card? Also, have you installed any Windows updates (or have it set automatically), that might have messed up your card? I know that new drivers are released from time to time, but I think they are generally put in the "optional" category and don't install automatically.

Check device manager, everything is ok.. Not installed nothing new or windows updates for about a month.

psp83 · May 28, 2008, 20:03:09

Got a new network card coming tomorrow so hopefully that will fix the problem.

madasahatter · May 28, 2008, 20:06:59

Sebby · May 28, 2008, 21:57:29

Fingers crossed!

Dangerjunkie · May 28, 2008, 22:37:54

Good luck

If that doesn't work I have a medium "Ethernet tuning tool" you can borrow

http://www.millsltd.com/productDetail.cfm?PartNo=J53-1005

Cheers,
Paul.

Rik · May 29, 2008, 09:17:17

I prefer the heavy-duty pro model, Paul.

Steve · May 29, 2008, 09:19:51

Or the network hammer, ask someone else to hit it for you

Rik · May 29, 2008, 09:20:24

Better yet.

madasahatter · May 29, 2008, 09:31:30

Quote from: Dangerjunkie on May 28, 2008, 22:37:54
Good luck

If that doesn't work I have a medium "Ethernet tuning tool" you can borrow

http://www.millsltd.com/productDetail.cfm?PartNo=J53-1005

Cheers,
Paul.

Dangerjunkie · May 29, 2008, 12:46:03

I just remembered a fault I saw a couple of years back... Have you checked in network connections in the control panel to make sure nobody's accidentally bridged the Ethernet connection with one of the others, like the 1394 connection as this can cause interfaces to become non-functional.

Cheers,
Paul.

Sebby · May 29, 2008, 14:02:43

That's a good one, Paul, though wouldn't it still work assuming the router has DHCP enabled? I know it wouldn't work if you assign IPs manually as it becomes a new connection, so is set to obtain an IP automatically by default.

Dangerjunkie · May 29, 2008, 15:32:51

Hi,

I didn't look into it much beyond changing what I saw as a "funny" setting and it then starting to work. We use DHCP at work and it caused this XP machine (pre-SP1) to lose connectivity. The mileage may vary with different versions.

Cheers,
Paul.

psp83 · May 29, 2008, 20:20:51

No luck with the new card.

I followed the instructions..

Installed the drivers.. turnt the pc off.. installed the card.. turn the pc on.. pc picks up the new card, attemps to install and gives an error message saying it failed because the drivers was corrupt or missing..

downloaded new drivers and everytime i try to update the drivers it keeps saying i have the most upto date drivers installed.. even after uninstalling the card..

Might aswell go wireless $:-\$