"Wierd" Networking Troubles KT7A

[ssandman]

I just built my 1GHZ/KT7A system and have had an odd networking problem crop up. My cards in the box are a Herc GF2MX, Adaptec 2950UW in slot 2,
SBLive Value in slot 4 and at first an SMS1211 NIC in Slot 5 (and then a 3com 3C900-Combo.
First problem was Windows ME detects SMC card, reboot, give it the proper IP settings, reboot. And then after coming back up the system is running like a 286/16. Tried moving around, then take NIC out and works fine. Ok NIC went bad or something perhaps? It did work previously. So I put in a 3C900-Combo I had lying around, and everything was working fine overnight. Testing the system the video seemed to be sluggish (Well performed good, but my GF's system (Celeron 300(o/c 450) 256MBRam and a TNT2U was getting better D3D numbers in Wintune)
So I reinstall VIA 4in1 4.25 (Found out I had 4.28 previously) and then my WWW stops working, as well as ICQ and mail. Though Everquest is working fine. Something isn't working with DNS. I uninstall and reinstall the NIC card, and put VIA 4in1 4.28 back on but no go. I can ping/traceroute out without any problems, and even pinging a hostname shows the IP as it should, but something isn't kosher somewhere along the line.

Anyone have any idea where I can start looking?

Thanks

 

[cavingjan]

It sounds like you might have an IRQ sharing problem.

 

[ssandman]

Each PCI has their own IRQ.
AGP on 10, SBLive on 5, Adaptec on can't remember, and NIC on 9. There are none of these are sharing IRQs other than ACPI and the Adaptec. Also, there were no problems for 24+hours and the problem cropped up immediately after booting up after via 4in1 reinstall.

Would an IRQ problem just affect this? I would imagine if there was one I wouldn't be able to ping anything or run Everquest, which I played 4 hours last night without any problems.

I open IE and it shows Website found, then opening page forever. It isn't a problem with my Firewall since the GF's machine works fine as well as the laptop I have and I tried swapping IP addresses as well.

Thanks for replying... Gonna try a new NIC card version, but I am at a lost for the moment

 

[cavingjan]

I'll agree it doesn't overly sound like an IRQ with the subsequent info. Do you have the old drivers uninstalled? Also what protocols are you using? Just TCP/IP?

 

[ssandman]

Only drivers I have are the ones the WinME put on during install and subsequent uninstall/reinstalls. I use Safemode to make sure now ghosts are floating around. I am using strictly TCP/IP.
I am going to try an IBM multi-port NIC tonight and maybe that will have better success. The thing that bugs me is that it worked perfectly before putting the VIA 4in1 on. I am searching 3coms site for any problems that may exist from that setup.
I also moved the NIC to IRQ 10 and AGP to 11 since one post says 3COM cards want to be on 10, but still had the same results.
Back to the web
Thanks

 

[cavingjan]

Have you uninstalled the 4in1 drivers before installing the older version again? If not, try that.

 

[ssandman]

Yup, after I realized I put the 4.25 on, I put the 4.28 back on. Each time after reinstalling the NIC. Can't wait to get outta work to try some things. Pretty frustrating. Network is working fine, ping/traceroute and IP gaming, but when DNS gets involved it doesn't seem to function.

<Scratches his head>

Thanks for the feedback

 

[SandmanC4]

This is my other account replying to same problem.
I have had no luck with the IBM network card either, same thing happening. The Web actualy works, but about the speed of a 300baud modem. Well probably less. It took about 6 - 10 minutes to load excite's main page. Not a network issue, since same computer I cna play everquest without any lag at all and the 2 other puters behind my firewall can surf at normal cable modem speeds.

I just thought of something it may be, I installed a Network Tweaker, that may have affected WWW, though I am not certain. It is called EliteME and a friend hasn't had the problems.

Next stop, rebuilding ME again. Unless I can figure this out.

Cheers

<Needs a cold Fosters>

Ahhhh, thats the stuff.

 

[SandmanC4]

Eureka, apparently it was something to do with EliteME. I uninstalled it, uninstalled the NIC, rebooted into safe mode made sure nothing else was there, and then rebooted. ME detected, reboot, made the IP setup, reboot and everything is hoping like a 10 cent hooker.