Computer Hangs with NIC

[belash]

I recently purchased a new HD, and installed Win ME on the system. I followed the tech support checklist, and so far I only have the video card and NIC installed on the motherboard. Everytime I initially install a NIC, it works fine. I am able to succesfully install the latest drivers, and as I continue to update various programs and reboot the sytem, it crashes after post. The system posts every item, and then it stops and the cursor blinks, with the floppy drive light on constantly, and the flashscreen never pops up. Then, when I turn the system off, and rip the NIC out of the motherboard, win ME loads up fine. I can then reinstall the NIC, and get back online UNTIL I begin to reboot, and the system crashes again and the cycle continues. Any ideas on what is wrong? I have tried three different NIC's, in EVERY PCI slot, with the same results. I have the latest motherboard chipset and NIC drivers.

Mobo: MSI K7 Master MS 6341 AMD 761 Chipset
CPU: AMD T-Bird 1Ghz AXia
Memory: Crucial 256 2100 DDR
HD: Maxtor 60GB 7200
Video: Asus V6600 Geforce1
NIC: 3COM 905CX-TXNM

 

[MacaroneePenguin]

Have you tried only the NIC and video card in the comptuer?

 

[dpk777]

I have an NIC and whenever I boot up it hangs for a while with a blinking cursor.
Someone told me before that its trying to search for the network.

 

[MacaroneePenguin]

Yes, everytime you bootup your comp it's searching for an IP address to use, it can take awhile...

 

[DaiShan]

how is that network setup? is it plugged into a router? if so do you have the router set to automatically assign ip addresses?

 

[Ryukumu]

I installed a NIC too in my computer and it seems to hang for longer than I'd like. But, you learn to get used to it.

 

[belash]

Yes, currently the only thing plugged into the PCI slots is the NIC. The computer does not sit there for a while. I have let it sit for 30+ minutes and it never resolves itself. The following links cover my problem.

http://cweb.msi.com.tw/eforum/?target=article&tid=10165
http://cweb.msi.com.tw/eforum/?target=article&tid=11185

I believe the theory that the incompatiblity rests with the HD. Everything is exactly the same, except I replaced a 30GB HD with the new 60 GB WD 7200. The RTC hang (description of my problem) did not exist previously, and I only replaced the HD because sectors began to fail. Unless someone else has a better suggestion, I am simply going to buy a new motherboard that will work with the larger HD.

 

[MacaroneePenguin]

But that motherboard that you have now, should support larger hard drives w/o problem
Have you tried updating the BIOS maybe?

 

[belash]

"Have you tried updating the BIOS maybe?"

Yep, I have the latest BIOS, and it doesn't fix the problem. Others have tried this fix without results as well.

 

[MacaroneePenguin]

Others? So you're not alone in this problem? Do the others have the same motherboard? Also do they have the same NIC?

 

[icepick1]

what kind of NIC is it? If you got one of those 3commers you have to install the software pack off the cd first before installing the NIC in your puter.

 

[nippyjun]

Set a fake ip in the network settings.

 

[belash]

Thanks, but I discovered the problem is not the NIC. Of the five PCI slots, only #5 works. I have rebooted 20+ times with the NIC in #5, and it is stable. If you plug ANY device into 1-4, it locks eventually. One moderator on the MSI forum believes it is a heat issue with the northbridge, and that a fan or increased power will solve the problem. I will try to the chipset fan upgrade first, as it is cheaper. Thanks for everyone's input.