Network connection issue with Gigabyte Z87x UD3H Intel NIC

[dnut_00]

Hi guys.

Would really love some help here.

I just got a brand new computer - 4670K + Gigabyte Z87x mobo. BIOS is F7.

Ran a Windows 7 64b install - all smooth, no issues or hiccups. After booting windows - the network is dead.

Setup:

1. Tp-Link Router - working properly, all other devices (including 2 phones, iPad and a laptop) are connected properly via WiFi or Wired (for laptop)
2. The wired connection is via Power Adapter (again, laptop connected to it works absolutely fine immediately upon connection)

Issue:

The new computer won't connect using the Power Adapter.

What I tried so far:

1. Installing and re-installing drivers both from the disk that came with the mobo and the latest downloaded from Gigabyte website

Side notes:

Power Adapter is http://www.tp-link.com/lk/products/details/?model=TL-PA211

When all is well - all the lights are on and the 2nd and 3rd are blinking (2nd sparringly).

In my case: in Windows and in BIOS - the 3rd one doesn't light up. Link is set to AutoNeg, but setting it to anything else (100mbs full, half etc.) doesn't help either.

Additionally, link status is marked as disconnected and I can't change it.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

EDIT:

running diagnostics from the device manager:

1. Hardware test works fine (Register, EEPROM, FIFIO, loopback)
2. Cable is reported to have poor quality at 2meters - the same cable that works fine on the laptop. Replacing it doesn't do anything.

Can Power Adapter be somehow incompatible with NIC?

 

[Ketchup]

First thing I would try is plugging the desktop Ethernet directly into the router.

 

[Virgorising]

First thing I would try is plugging the desktop Ethernet directly into the router.

Was just going to say similar....but more exactly, I was going to say plug ethernet directly, first into the modem.

 

[dnut_00]

That was my next attempt as well, thank you guys.

The comp is quite heavy and a router is kind of inaccessible easily, so I wanted to avoid this.

So this morning I moved the comp and connected directly to the router. Works.

So, to close this off, if someone could answer the following questions:

1. Is it possible that certain NICs do not play well with Power Adapter and/or require higher quality wiring, so that despite laptop working, desktop (much much newer hardware, of course) doesn't?

2. What would be the best way of connecting without moving the desktop or the router? Access point? WiFi card in the comp? Long-long cable?

Thank you.

 

[Ketchup]

I would do WiFi, unless we are talking several floors between the two.

 

[dnut_00]

I just might go with Wireless, but I still would like to know what's the difference? Isn't Access Point basically a wireless + extender for other devices?

 

[Steltek]

Powerline adapters are completely hit and miss in my experience -- I've seen them work great, I've seen them not work at all, and I've most often seen them go from working great to not at all (sometimes quickly, sometimes over months at a time). It could be the onboard NIC port is just flaky or just less tolerant of interference from the electrical wiring than the one in the laptop. It also could be that the laptop NIC will eventually stop working as well - best way to tell is hook it up and do some network access for a few hours (after disabling sleep), then check the network access speeds (they may negotiate down to nothing or disconnect if the wiring connection is bad).

You always have the option of purchasing a cheapo add-in NIC card for a few bucks with a different chipset if you want to see if the motherboard NIC is bad.

Personally, if wireless works and is otherwise stable (presuming you can't easily drop a hard cable between the router and system at issue), I'd go with that and call it a day. Troubleshooting powerline network adapters is so not my idea of a fun way to waste my time (i.e. been there, done that, never again, 'nuff said).

 

[ArisVer]

You will need to pair the device again. Press and hold the pair button for 3-8 seconds. You need to do this on both adapters within 120 seconds. That is how I made my pair (same) to work. No flashing lights in working condition, only ethernet when receiving/transmitting data.

Edit. pp 3 and 21 of the users manual.

 

[sm625]

I have a pair of powerline ethernet thingies that I was using without issue for 6 months. It was my only way of connecting an ancient P4 machine to my router. It worked fine. Then that machine got taken offline and the powerline adapters sat for a couple months. I then went to reuse the powerline adapter and it wouldnt work. I dont know if it died or if as others speculate, it could be sensitive to certain NICs. I havent taken the time to hook up that old P4 machine and see if it still works with my powerline adapter. Perhaps I should do that...

 

[piasabird]

One thing I heard about powerline networking is that it works best with more devices set up. It probably also depends on the exact model you are using. i.e. newer improved more exensive units. Never tried it myself.