Network disconnect problem

[sjetexas]

Hi all, I have strange random network problem.

Several times now in the past week since setting up a new system, I have lost internet/network access out of nowhere (once I was browsing the web, another time downloading a file). I am unable to ping my wired linksys router when this happens, although I do get a link light on the network ports on the computer and on the status display of the router. I have another WinXP AMD computer, plugged into the same router, that continues to work fine.

What I've tried :
-Switched router ports and cat5 cable to no effect.
-Tried to disable/enable, ipconfig renew...does not reconnect...I cannot get an IP address
-Tried rebooting the router.
-Shut down my computer all the way for awhile and starting back up does not work either.
-Disabled XP SP2 firewall
-Ran some spyware (Adaware) and virus checks - all clean
-No errors in device manager.
-Again, another computer on the same network is always up and running through all this.

I've fixed it a few times now by plugging in a PCI network card I have spare. I can then get network access to work on that, and if I switch back to my old network port (on my new motherboard) everything continues to work fine. I've removed the network card once it fixed itself, but this time around I am going to leave it in.

What is going on?

I have just recently installed a new motherboard, RAM, and CPU. I then did a clean install of WinXP with SP2 and all patches, and everything else with the system seems stable.

Computer is as follows :
A64-3000
Asus K8N-E Deluxe (bios is dated 8/13/04). All drivers that came with the MB installed.
1 GB Value Kingston RAM
GF4-4200
80GM WD hard drive
Clean install of XP w/ SP2
Linksys 4 port cable/dsl router (2yr old, never a problem)

Greatly appreciate any insight. Thank you.

 

[mechBgon]

Did you install/enable the nVidia firewall? If so, try disabling it as a fact-finding step.

 

[Balt]

I believe that motherboard comes with a built-in firewall. I would first disable that (since the router will function as one anyway) just to take it out of the loop.

Second, I would get the latest drivers from Marvell for the ethernet controller. I'm using a P4 Asus board, but it uses the same EC and I heard that the drivers that shipped with my motherboard gave flakey performance.

 

[sjetexas]

Thank you both for the helpful responses.

How can I tell if the Nvidia firewall is running? I do not see any software running, and I do not see any settings for it on my network connections. I did pretty much installed everything off the Asus CD, but I do not recall anything about a firewall.

Also, if I need to install those Marvell drivers, which driver do I need? I checked out their site but could not find anything that direclty let me know it was the correct driver to install.

Thanks again.

 

[mechBgon]

For clarification: you have a K8N-E Deluxe, correct? If so, no Marvell drivers in this case, its NIC is native to the nVidia southbridge itself and the drivers are in the nVidia motherboard-driver package.

Look in your Control Panel for the nVidia Network Access Manager (I believe that's what they called it). If it's installed, you can uninstall it using Add/Remove Programs. My K8N-E Deluxe is down at work, so I'll check back during my break and see if you need more details.

 

[sjetexas]

That is correct, K8N-E Deluxe. I am away from my computer right now, but I do recall seeing Network Access Manager. I will uninstall that tonight and see how things go.
Appreciate it.

 

[ExitiumEx]

I've got nearly the same setup, same MOBO, same deal. I've had numerous problems with net connection as well as trying to update the nForceware Network Access Manager (NAM). I've uninstalled NAM just for kicks, but I get the same issues as previously stated. I believe the problem is hardware related as well as software. I've been looking for a way to disable the firewall on the MOBO, but possibly your initial solution is the best, simply install a PCI network card to bypass the NVIDIA Forceware firewall.

 

[sjetexas]

Actually, I still haven't figured out how to uninstall NAM or the firewall (none of the nvidia drivers in my Add/Remove Programs seem to relate to either). Since I've posted this original note, I've just left the PCI card in the system. I have continued to use the motherboard network port though and its remained up so far. Maybe the PCI card just being present in the system is good enough

 

[frankyjohn]

I have the same problem with that board and I never installed the nForceware Network Access Manager.

The Network disconnects from time to time and I never managed to solve the problem. In think that installing a PCI Network Card would be the only solution.

 

[mechBgon]

You might try a different Autonegotiate setting in the NIC's Advanced properties, which I believe is one place to find the NAM as well. At work, I had my K8N-E doing Autonegotiate for 1000Mb Full Duplex since it normally plugs straight into an all-gigabit backbone switch, but when I plugged it into a 10/100 switch for another purpose, I had to drop it back to full autonegotiation.