Hub resetting over and over

[rivan]

So I've got an older machine, an xp3200 with integrated 10/100 NIC and XP SP2. It's been functional and unchanged config-wise for a couple years. Windows updates run automagically. Recently, it started resetting my 10/100/1000 hub, immediately upon being plugged in, and will reset it over and over until it's unplugged.

I haven't done anything but unplug it - what's my best first shot? Driver reinstall? Settings change?

Dumbing it down to 10 megabit's just fine if that will fix it with a minimum of effort - this machine doesn't need to be fast.

 

[rivan]

New information.

I tried changing settings to 10/full, 100/half, etc to no avail. Just for giggles, I unplugged the other machine on the hub (it's an 8-port with 3 in use; two machines and an uplink to a router) and voila, it's fine. It resets only when BOTH machines are plugged in. Both computers use Realtek integrated NICs, both set to (different) static IPs. They co-existed just fine for a couple years on the same hub - is my hub dying?

 

[KGB]

Originally posted by: rivan
New information.

I tried changing settings to 10/full, 100/half, etc to no avail. Just for giggles, I unplugged the other machine on the hub (it's an 8-port with 3 in use; two machines and an uplink to a router) and voila, it's fine. It resets only when BOTH machines are plugged in. Both computers use Realtek integrated NICs, both set to (different) static IPs. They co-existed just fine for a couple years on the same hub - is my hub dying?

Have you tried them in different ports on the hub?
Maybe you have 1 or 2 ports dying. And yes, I've seen hubs & switches go bad.

 

[RebateMonger]

It could be a hardware or a software issue. You can determine if the NIC itself is at fault by installing a Live CD with Ubuntu onboard. If Utbuntu still gives the same problem, then it's a hardware (NIC, cabling, or hub (switch?) problem).

If it looks like a hardware problem, I'd try a new network cable, new switch, and new NIC in whatever order was convenient.

 

[Tarrant64]

Time to get a switch. I've seen hubs and switches go bad. More hubs than switches though. What happens if you just plug in both PCs? (without uplink)

 

[rivan]

Originally posted by: KGBMAN
Have you tried them in different ports on the hub?
Maybe you have 1 or 2 ports dying. And yes, I've seen hubs & switches go bad.

I've moved both cables up and down all the available ports.

Originally posted by: RebateMonger
It could be a hardware or a software issue. You can determine if the NIC itself is at fault by installing a Live CD with Ubuntu onboard. If Utbuntu still gives the same problem, then it's a hardware (NIC, cabling, or hub (switch?) problem).

If it looks like a hardware problem, I'd try a new network cable, new switch, and new NIC in whatever order was convenient.

I've got access to another hub, so I'll start there. I'd just assumed it was a machine problem but I'll widen my troubleshooting scope. Thanks.

Originally posted by: Tarrant64
Time to get a switch. I've seen hubs and switches go bad. More hubs than switches though. What happens if you just plug in both PCs? (without uplink)

What's a decent, inexpensive 100 megabit and/or gigabit switch these days, if it comes to buying a new one?

 

[RebateMonger]

Originally posted by: rivan
What's a decent, inexpensive 100 megabit and/or gigabit switch these days, if it comes to buying a new one?

Anything. D-Link five-port 10/100 switches are free after rebate at several online stores right now. Their five-port gigabit switches are $15 after rebate. I'm not a big D-Link fan, but their switches seem fine.

 

[Tarrant64]

You can pick up some pretty cheap Gigabit switches this days. Even better if you purchase online. Are both the nics for the PCs gigabit though? I guess at this point though if you can get it might as well. I wouldn't get too cheap, I'd try to stick in the $40-$50 range for something decent. Linksys, D-Link.

 

[rivan]

Originally posted by: RebateMonger

Originally posted by: rivan
What's a decent, inexpensive 100 megabit and/or gigabit switch these days, if it comes to buying a new one?

Anything. D-Link five-port 10/100 switches are free after rebate at several online stores right now. Their five-port gigabit switches are $15 after rebate. I'm not a big D-Link fan, but their swtiches seem fine.

Originally posted by: Tarrant64
You can pick up some pretty cheap Gigabit switches this days. Even better if you purchase online. Are both the nics for the PCs gigabit though? I guess at this point though if you can get it might as well. I wouldn't get too cheap, I'd try to stick in the $40-$50 range for something decent. Linksys, D-Link.

One's gigabit, the other's 100 megabit, but I've got gigabit on my laptop that's occasionally plugged in, and eventually the email machine will get an upgrade.

Thanks again for the help, guys.