Network Card repair
The network card allows you to connect to other computers either locally or over the World Wide Web (internet).
Before we get to involved with trying to fix a network problem this site can not give you all the steps you will need to fix a network problem, it is just too complex. I can how ever help you trouble shoot it for the most common problems, if these steps fail you will have to call a local tech to assist you. By using this guide you may save your self some money by fixing it your self.
These cards are a go no-go type of component. They either work or they don't. However most problems with network card are caused by configuration failure.
By configuration failure I mean that the card is getting the wrong information to allow it to do it's job. If you have reseated the card, checked the cable is connected and still having problems connecting then the next step is to trouble shoot the configuration.
Steps:
A) Go to start, then accessories, then command prompt. Type in - ipconfig
You should get a listing like this: Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:
Connection-specific DNS Suffix . : homecomp
IP Address... ………………. : 192.168.1.4
Subnet Mask .. . . . . . .... . . . . : 255.255.255.
Default Gateway . . . ... . . . . . : 192.168.1.1
If you do not see this then you are having a configuration problem, you need to check the properties for the network card. If you see this go to how to check for connectivity.
B) Check the properties of the card in computer management/device manager. Does it have a red circle with a slash over the icon? Does the properties say "Device is functioning normally" or does it say "The drivers for this device are not installed. (Code
28)" or something similar? (go to reinstalling card/drivers)
C) If the card is green and the properties display "This device is working properly." you may have a configuration problem.
D) Go to My Network Places, right click, select properties from menu. Network properties opens, do you see the "Local area Connections" or just "New Connection"? Right click on the "Local area Connections", select properties from menu.
E) DHCP Settings: When you look at the properties page you should see at a minimum four items that are checked. The main item of concern in the box labeled "This connection uses the following items:" The one you want to check is labeled "Internet Protocol". High light it and go to the properties button. When it opens the area we are looking for is "Obtain an IP address automatically" the radio button should be checked, the boxes below should be grayed out. Close the TCP/IP Protocol page.
F) Static IP Settings: The main item of concern in the box labeled "This connection uses the following items:" The one you want to check is labeled "Internet Protocol". Highlight it and go to the properties button. When it opens the area we are looking for is the IP, Subnet Mask, and Gateway. Normally these would not be set unless you have a Local Area Network setup with a DNS server. If this is the case you need to know what the ip, subnet mask, gateway, DNS, and Wins addresses are for you LAN. If you hired someone to setup your LAN they should have gave you a configuration document, if not you may have to call them to get the information. If any of these parameters have changed, you will not be able to connect.
Scenario: No connectivity!
Setting the IP
If your system is set for DHCP and you are getting your IP from your
Cable Modem or DSL Router you can fake it out by entering your own ip.
Most generic Cable Modems and DSL Routers use this subnet to give you an IP:
192.168.1.X where X is any digit above 2. If you have more than two computers connect to your Cable Modem or DSL Router use this ip to fake out the DHCP: 192.168.1.130, you will also have to set the subnet mask: 255.255.255. and set the gate way:192.168.1.1
Don't worry about the lower block for DNS.
Now go to the command prompt you opened and type: ping 192.168.1.1
You will either get a reply from the Cable Modem or DSL Router or you will get a time out on the reply.
If you get a reply from the ping then shut your system down and restart, once it is running again go back to the network properties and remove the ip address you put in, just check the DHCP radio button, apply changes, this should take a short period to complete.
Go to the command prompt, type in ipconfig, does it look like the sample?
If it comes back with an ip, in the command prompt type: ping 192.168.1.1
Do you get a reply? Yes?
From the command prompt type: ping www.google.com
Reply? Yes? Fixed.