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Problems with Network Cards
You’ve installed a network card (also
known as a network interface card, network adapter, NIC; if
you're strictly using a wired Ethernet network, they're also
know as an Ethernet card or Ethernet adapter), and it doesn’t
seem to work at all. The computer can’t communicate with the
network in any way. Here are some possible solutions.
Install the Right Driver Program
All major network card manufacturers have Web sites where you
can go to download driver programs. Download and install the
latest version for each network card, making sure that it
supports the version of Windows that the computer is running. If
there’s no Windows XP driver, try the Windows 2000 driver.
Try a Different Slot
Un-install the network card in Device Manager, power down the
computer, remove the card, insert it in a different slot, and
reboot. Let Windows detect the card and install the driver
program. On motherboards with an AGP graphics slot, the top-most
PCI slot can be unsuitable for use by a NIC.
Specify Explicit Speed and Duplex
Settings
By default, network cards are configured to automatically detect
the proper speed and duplex settings. This automatic sensing can
fail, preventing the computer from accessing the network.
In Windows XP, right click the
network connection and click Properties | Configure | Advanced.
In Windows 95/98/Me, go to Control Panel | Network, double click
the network adapter, and click Advanced. The name of the
appropriate setting depends on the particular network card.
Specify explicit speed and duplex settings that work on your
network. Most switches and hardware routers use 100 Mb, full
duplex. Hubs use half duplex. Here’s an example, showing how to
configure an SMC 1211TX network card that’s connected to a
switch.
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