Do NIC's just up and die?

[Muse]

I was computing today, nothing intensive and lost my connection. The other PC on my network connects fine. The problem machine's NIC is suspect. I removed the card and reinserted it (same slot) and now Win2000 won't properly install the card. Is it dead?

Can someone recommend a reasonable and good NIC to replace it that doesn't stand too tall? I need it to be low so the video card next to it has OK ventilation. Thanks.

 

[Muse]

I suppose the NIC was dead. I swapped it out for another el cheapo I had lieing around (a $5 8139 I got at a computer show 5-6 years ago), and I have a working NIC now. When I checked the card several years ago it seemed pretty slow, so I'd bought a Linksys, but that's dead so I have to use this fall-back card. Well, I'll tell you what - it's great to have a second PC on the network and it's great to multiboot. Terrific to have those options for troubleshooting. Also nice is to have backup hardware for when your everyday stuff goes belly up.

 

[DaveSimmons]

I've had many wired netcards die, or "go turtle" and start working at 1/100 normal speed. A co-worker suggested it could be static electricity or power spikes from cheap routers, but I have no idea if either is possible.

I finally switched to using wifi in my home network since it's easier than keeping spare cards on hand.

 

[imported_rod]

I've never had a NIC die on me, but they're all integrated these days, so I doubt I will ever buy another one.

RoD

 

[Muse]

Originally posted by: rod
I've never had a NIC die on me, but they're all integrated these days, so I doubt I will ever buy another one.

RoD

Mmm, what do you mean? Integrated? You mean your motherboard has a built in NIC, right? Neither of mine do.

 

[Bozo Galora]

I only buy Intel pro 100's and have never lost one.

 

[imported_rod]

Originally posted by: Muse

Originally posted by: rod
I've never had a NIC die on me, but they're all integrated these days, so I doubt I will ever buy another one.

RoD

Mmm, what do you mean? Integrated? You mean your motherboard has a built in NIC, right? Neither of mine do.

Yeah, integrated into the MoBo, (just like audio, USB and Firewire - you hardly need expansion cards these days).

RoD

 

[JimPhelpsMI]

Hi, Electronics is capable of 100,000,000 failures per milisecond (Joke). I've never had a NIC die. Usually a software failure. Usually removing it from System Manager and rebooting gets it back. Sometimes manual removal including registry before Windoze Plug and Pray gets it. Not sure about your's. Jim

 

[Scifience]

Out of probably two dozen, I've only ever had one NIC die, and that was some ancient no-name model that I picked up free at a local repair shop.

It is possible for any component to just "die," of course, but before jumping to that conclusion, I would recommened trying the card again in another system. Not that NICs are worth very much these days, but it is still probably worthwhile to have an extra working one around.

 

[Muse]

Originally posted by: JimPhelpsMI
Hi, Electronics is capable of 100,000,000 failures per milisecond (Joke). I've never had a NIC die. Usually a software failure. Usually removing it from System Manager and rebooting gets it back. Sometimes manual removal including registry before Windoze Plug and Pray gets it. Not sure about your's. Jim

Well, I haven't given up but the prognosis isn't good. I removed it, reinserted it and it's not working in either of my Win2000 partitions. IOW, evidently not a registry issue. Before I toss it I'll insert it in my other PC and see if it's picked up in there. Otherwise, it's the can.

 

[JimPhelpsMI]

Hi Again, Removing it wont get it. I meant to remove (Uninstall) it from System manager. Try again if you haven't already. Jim

 

[Muse]

Originally posted by: JimPhelpsMI
Hi Again, Removing it wont get it. I meant to remove (Uninstall) it from System manager. Try again if you haven't already. Jim

Yeah, I did that a time or two. In fact, what happened is that the card wasn't even detected and I had to install it (add new hardware). I chose it and was asked for the driver and I inserted the install CD. Then it was installed but "not working properly." I booted to my other Win2000 boot partition and there was no connection there either, so I assume the card is faulty. It could have been the network cable from the box to the router, but I assume that's not the case, since things are working again after swapping out the Linksys card for my old Realtek 8139 card.

 

[acityDweller]

ive used 3coms and never had one go bad. nowadays it seems like the laptops are bundled in with intel wireless chips. we'll see how they go...

both of my desktop pcs now have fully integrated nics on board along iwth sound. the only thing i dont get bundled is video since they get changed every few months, due to my extreme gaming addiction. go figure its still cheaper than cigarettes

 

[Ausm]

I have had several die that were integrated on the mobo.


Ausm

 

[Muse]

Originally posted by: acityDweller
ive used 3coms and never had one go bad. nowadays it seems like the laptops are bundled in with intel wireless chips. we'll see how they go...

both of my desktop pcs now have fully integrated nics on board along iwth sound. the only thing i dont get bundled is video since they get changed every few months, due to my extreme gaming addiction. go figure its still cheaper than cigarettes

Neither of my motherboards have onboard NIC. They do have sound, but I don't use it in either case because I have a couple of excellent sound cards, especially my Game Theater XP, which I use on my main machine. The breakout box gives me great flexibility in using computer sound. I do find myself sweating my slot allocation, even though there are 6 PCI slots on the MB. I had to give up my IDE card, for instance, but I can live with that (being limited to just 4 IDE devices).

 

[Oyeve]

I havent had a NIC die on me in 10 years but back in the 80s early 90s when NICs were fullsized ISA card, they would die if you looked at them wrong. Cost 100s of dollars back then too. I remember when I first got into network engineering we installed a bunch of NE2000 cards (the joke on those cards were that they cost 2000 dollars, hence the name) and they were so big that I doubt they would fit on any modern system. I stick with either 3com or Intel. They are so cheap its always a good thing to have a few just in case.

 

[Eddieo]

Good for your fix, but nics usually don't go bad even when people think they diagnose them.

 

[alevasseur14]

I had the driver install for one of my onboard NICs crash everytime I reinstalled Windows. Undoubtably, this crash would then brick the system and force me to reinstall Windows. It finally occurred to me to install the nVidia drivers without the NIC part and everything has worked fine since. I just use the other onboard NIC. The weird part is that particular NIC worked just fine with my old Windows install, it just wouldn't let me install the drivers again.

Lesson learned, NICs and other stuff fails. It's a fact of life.

 

[Muse]

Originally posted by: Eddieo
Good for your fix, but nics usually don't go bad even when people think they diagnose them.

Interesting.

It turns out the card is working! Based on what you said I took the suspect card and put it in my second machine, the one that had the Kingston card (Intel chip, 21143). To my amazement, the card is working in that box! It seemed unlikely, and I don't know what to make of it. The same card wasn't working even after pulling and plugging back in, and in either OS on my first machine. Well, I guess I'll put the Kingston card in the first machine and leave the Linksys in the second.

 

[xtknight]

My integrated Marvell Yukon Ethernet controller is dead.