New Build Problem? Nvidia Ethernet Defective?!? 2 mobos same problem

[jrphoenix]

NEW PROBLEM...

I have the OS installed now.... Now I am running into a network problem? I have installed the OS, mobo chipset drivers, and Norton Internet Security. The mobo is: Soltek 754 Nf3-250. I get blinking lights when I hook my cable connection to it but... can not establish any kind of connection?

The MS firewall was enabled and disabled and the Norton firewall is setup properly???? Any ideas?

Updated... IE will not let me configure the Nvidia firewall because it can not find a connection? All drivers loaded, everything ready to go but, I can't establish a connection? The connection works on my computer and I get lights from the ethernet card when I plug the connection in????


ORIGINAL PROBLEM...

I am building a new system for my mother and father after they came by my house and saw my first build. They don't want the old gray dell anymore I ran into a snag, I think?

I was loading their OS, they have a copy of Windows XP Home that came with the Dell they are getting rid of. I am attempting to install their OS and I came to the licensing agreement and I couldn't use the F8 key (accept agreement) on my Logitech keyboard?????

I hooked up an old beige ugly and couldn't use any of the keys? My logitech works but, unable to use F8?

Also, is the OS they have only formatted to run on a Dell motherboard?

Last but not least, can an owner of XP pro or home install the OS on more than one system (2 at the most)??

Thank you

 

[mechBgon]

I don't know if the Dell OS is particularly Dell-ified or not, but read that EULA closely because I suspect it's intended to stay with the Dell. WinXP Pro is licensed for one machine per copy, although it can be a dual-processor rig. But both processors gotta be in the one machine.

Bigger picture: if I were you, I'd get them a fresh WinXP Pro from Ye Olde Newegge or maybe MWave, along with a piece of hardware that you might need anyway, like a memory module or hard drive. MWave has a good buy on the DVD-version Microsoft Works Suite 2004, which includes full-version Word2002, Encarta 2004 Standard and a bunch of other nice home-user stuff including an image editor. So if you order from Mwave, check that out and make sure it's Works Suite, not plain Works.

With WinXP Pro, you can follow best practices and make them one Administrator-class account that they use only for Admin stuff like adding software, and then one Limited-class account for each of them (can't do that with XP Home, everyone's an Admin). That will be a major safeguard against spyware/adware getting installed by accident or ignorance, and a major headache-saver for you as their support person

Hope that's more help than harm I know I'm planning to follow my own advice for my mom's riggie and upgrade her to WinXP Pro SP2 from Win2000 Pro, as soon as I can afford to anyway

edit: oh, and does your Logitech keyboard have an F-Lock key that needs pressing to convert the upper row to their traditional F-functions?

 

[jrphoenix]

Bump.... going to bed now... looking forward to any hel pyou can provide in the morning! I stayed up too late last night watching the Florida State / Miami football game

 

[jrphoenix]

Thanks for the info mechBgon! I will go shopping online tomorrow. I was hoping to save them a little cash..... but, oh well.

 

[htmlmasterdave]

I think it's because you need to hit the F-Lock key

 

[UsandThem]

I used my Dell Dimension 4600 Windows XP on a home built PC with no problems.

Gotta be something else.

 

[jrphoenix]

Originally posted by: htmlmasterdave
I think it's because you need to hit the F-Lock key

OMG... I didn't see that button floating at the top!!! Whoops..... will try again or will buy new copy of Windows

 

[trexpesto]

Well I tried to move a Win2K Dell OS from a laptop to a home-built and it said it can only be installed on a Dell. The same OS did work moving it to an old Dell desktop. It is Dellified. Another reason not to get a Dell in the first place.

 

[jrphoenix]

Thank you on the Dell OS info... I was able to install it, although there is an annoying little dell logo? It seems to be working fine...?

BUMP new problem

 

[jrphoenix]

Bump...... any suggestions on my network connection problems?

Edit be back in 15 minutes to check... going to bios to make sure everything enabled???????

 

[JackMDS]

The first Rule of debugging Non Functional Network is Disable.

Disable All Firewalls, Anti-Virus or any thing else that might intercept Network Communication.

After you achieve Normal Traffic you can enable the security measures one at the time.

According to your description it seems that your basic Network system is not working correctly.

You have to start at the bottom making sure that your NIC is working and can obtain an IP.

May be one of the links on this page might help you: Windows Network - Installing & Sharing

:sun:

 

[jrphoenix]

Ok, now I'm starting to get somewhere. I'm discovering that the Nvidia ethernet built into the mobo is deffective or there is some setting I can not find to make it work???

I disabled all firewalls and then I was able to (on the new computer) get into the nvidia web based configurer for their firewall / ethernet. I disabled everything and still no connection.

I had some network problems with my 1st build a while back (check sig for 3800+ info). What I am running into is the gigabyte ethernet on both of the motherboards does not function. On my Gigabyte mobo, I get connectivity only if I use the 2nd Marvell network adapter built into the mobo. The Nvidia ethernet on the Soltek & Gigabyte mobo will not fuction?

I get lights showing connectivity in the back but, nothing happens???? Please advise!

 

[mechBgon]

What does the other end of the network cable plug into, the modem, or a router, or a coffeemaker, or what? Maybe it needs to get a power-cycle so it can give out an IP address to this newcomer. Also, before you plug straight into a broadband modem, you better have some kind of firewall going.

 

[jrphoenix]

Hi mechBgon,

I remember I was having network problems on my first build that you were advising me on until I plugged in the 2nd marvell ethernete adapter. The cable connection uses a Motorola SB5100 modem (no hardware firewall other than the build in Nvidia one). I have Norton Internet Security loaded on both systems and onlly disabled on the new build to see if it was blocking all traffic (still no connection)?

With my Gigabyte mobo (that has dual everything). I was OK because I could just use the other ethernet adapter. The Soltek mobo only uses the Nvidia adapter. I can't imagine I would be the only one that experiences no connection problems with Nvidia?

Do you think I would have to turn off the power on the cable modem and then reboot? I typed in IPconfig and it showed an IP address. However, when I go into the network connection and click the repair option (left on XP screen) it says unable to obtain IP????

Ugh

 

[mechBgon]

Ewwww, what kind of son lets his parents have broadband without a hardware firewall?



Netgear RP614 gets my vote, about $45 at Newegg

At this point, I would enable one of the software firewalls, either Windows or Norton. Now power off the modem, release the IP address on the computer (you know how to do that? command-prompt window, ipconfig /release), power up the modem, and renew the IP address.

 

[jrphoenix]

Awesome.... I'm going to try that out... My parents have a hardware firewall already... but, at their house. I have only been using Nvidia firewall & Norton on my system (is that enough?). I'm sharing a monitor so I have to take a break, will be back in 5 - 10.

Thanks!

 

[mechBgon]

The only time I tried the nF3 250Gb firewall, it did promise to be awfully effective. I couldn't even join our domain until I opened up certain ports to allow the computer to talk to our servers But for simplicity, what I would do is to use a hardware router/firewall in conjunction with either the WinXP SP2 firewall or else ZoneAlarm, depending on whether your folks can be trained to deal with ZoneAlarm or not. If you wanted to stick the nVidia firewall in the middle, just be sure you've set it up and tested everything that will need Internet access.

My nF3 250Gb system now lives at home, where ironically enough I use dial-up and couldn't use the nF3 firewall whether I wanted to or not

If you weren't already planning on it, you could enable Data Execution Prevention for all programs. I put instructions on my Resources page under the Ongoing prevention header there. Seems like a good idea, particularly since your folks will have hardware support for it

 

[jrphoenix]

Thank you mechBgon... I hooked up the firewalls and did the ipconfig / release command and that did the trick! You are definately a wealth of knowledge and your presence on this forum is priceless!!! Keep up the good work:thumbsup:

 

[mechBgon]

Thanks Oooo, an' a cookie even