Need help with an old computer and the network card

[shervinj]

Hi Guys,

I have this problem I need some help with. My friend has a 300mhx IBM Aptiva. About two weeks ago the Ethernet card stopped working all of a sudden. We noticed the cable would not stay in the card so we figured that was the problem. We ordered a new ISA NIC and installed it and it worked fine for one hour. However, now it has stopped working again. The light on the back of the NIC only lights up for a second when the computer is powered on. I am not sure what the problem is. I would have tried another slot but the Aptiva only has two slots and the other one has the sound card in it and my friend?s dad only uses the computer to listen to music online and to surf. I uninstalled the card and reinstalled it and that has no solved the problem either.

I have thought of trying out one of the USB external NICs. I understand they are slower than a traditional NIC. Would you really notice that much of a difference with the external NIC since the computer is so old already?

Any help would be appreciated.

 

[minendo]

Have you tried a new cable?

 

[Woodie]

What difference would the NIC make?

It depends on what he's accessing through the nic. If he's only going to the internet, through anything slower than a T-1, he should be ok w/ a USB nic.

Other thoughts: It sounds as if the slot is dead, or close to it. That usually means a system board (mother board) replacement. On the bright side, you should be able to find one quite cheaply, since it's old enough.

 

[cholley]

check for irq conflict and if so go into bios and disable comm2 to free one up and see if that helps