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Hello, this thread is generally me discussing my computer, it's issues that can possibly be fixed, and what overall solution some of you would recommend.
My desktop is a bit of a hybrid, combining newly purchased hardware with older chipsets and memory:
CPU: Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 @ 2.4 GHz (old school, could be overclocked)
Motherboard: Intel G33 (old school with DDR2 memory slots and PCI x1 slots)
Memory: 4 GB DDR2 @ 800 MHz (upgraded, but still not DDR3)
Hard Drive: 750 GB SATA III (upgraded)
Graphics: AMD Radeon 6570, 1024 MB, GDDR3 (upgraded, good enough to run med/high on new games)
Power Supply: 500 Watt (upgraded)
I don't really consider better gaming hardware than this to be necessary for myself. For me, this computer runs programs fantastically. Programs often load and run noticeably faster than many brand new computers I work on.
The problem is this computer is plagued with a seemingly unsolvable issue. The internet has been acting up ever since my new hardware was installed. The built in network adapter on the motherboard has issues basically impossible to deal with. Fiddling around with something on its driver called "Link Speed and Duplex Settings" managed to get me terribly slow internet, albeit fast enough to load my cloud files from Steam or play Starcraft 2.
To bypass this, I bought a Network Interface Card (NIC) online for a quick $15. But my computer has completely rejected the new hardware card entirely. Plugging in the NIC into my empty PCI slot causes the computer to go into this endless power up cycle that doesn't actually make it to the boot phase with on-screen sequences. I suppose the NIC could be corrupted right out of the package, but buying another NIC to test this seems like an endless goose chase.
Do these internet issues constitute enough reasoning to buy a new chipset and memory core? To be completely honest, a CPU, motherboard, and memory would be the only parts needed to build a new system. But I've never built my own computer before, and I'm not sure all my updated parts would be 100% salvageable into the new system.
I've had IT guys look at the problem from my universities service desk, but they found out it could only be a complex software issue. I haven't had anyone look at my NIC not installing properly.
Honestly, I need someone who knows a lot about networking, firewalls, or any other software that could block an incoming internet connection. Yes, my university utilizes DHCP which could be adding to the problem.
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Well well well. Look who it is, my arch nemesis here because he needs help. But what is this? No one but me is here to help him? He needs help from me? muhahahahahaha!
*cough* *ahem* *cough*
Anyway, first thing is first. "Intel G33" is not your motherboard, that's just the main chipset. It would be helpful to know the exact model of your motherboard.
And what's the model/make of the NIC you bought? Are you sure you didn't buy a PCIe NIC that you are trying to put into a standard PCI slot? The chipset you have is from '07, you may still have standard PCI slots on there, though I cannot confirm without knowing the model of the motherboard. If the card is standard PCI, I would assume the hardware is bad. Even if the OS doesn't have drivers for the device, it should not prevent the PC from posting. Only thing that can do that is a hardware issue or a corrupt BIOS (which is not the case given it posts without the card in there).
Either way you are out a NIC. If you want to try to troubleshoot the onboard NIC, I would suggest the following:
Start by following these directions to reset all TCP/IP settings: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/299357 Next check that everything is back to the default. Go to Control Panel->Network Settings->right click on connection and select properties-> select TCP/IP and hit Properties. Make sure everything there on both tabs are set to "automatic". Then go to Control Panel-> Internet Settings->Connection tab->LAN Settings and make sure all the boxes are NOT checked.
Since you admittedly "fiddled with settings" I think the first thing you should do is reset the BIOS to factory settings. Should be a jumper on the mobo that you can switch to reset all settings, alternatively you can just pop the BIOS battery, wait a bit, then pop it back in.
Let us know if you still have issues.
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On January 19 2012 04:30 TheToast wrote:Well well well. Look who it is, my arch nemesis here because he needs help. But what is this? No one but me is here to help him? He needs help from me? muhahahahahaha! *cough* *ahem* *cough* Anyway, first thing is first. "Intel G33" is not your motherboard, that's just the main chipset. It would be helpful to know the exact model of your motherboard. And what's the model/make of the NIC you bought? Are you sure you didn't buy a PCIe NIC that you are trying to put into a standard PCI slot? The chipset you have is from '07, you may still have standard PCI slots on there, though I cannot confirm without knowing the model of the motherboard. If the card is standard PCI, I would assume the hardware is bad. Even if the OS doesn't have drivers for the device, it should not prevent the PC from posting. Only thing that can do that is a hardware issue or a corrupt BIOS (which is not the case given it posts without the card in there). Either way you are out a NIC. If you want to try to troubleshoot the onboard NIC, I would suggest the following: Start by following these directions to reset all TCP/IP settings: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/299357 Next check that everything is back to the default. Go to Control Panel->Network Settings->right click on connection and select properties-> select TCP/IP and hit Properties. Make sure everything there on both tabs are set to "automatic". Then go to Control Panel-> Internet Settings->Connection tab->LAN Settings and make sure all the boxes are NOT checked. Since you admittedly "fiddled with settings" I think the first thing you should do is reset the BIOS to factory settings. Should be a jumper on the mobo that you can switch to reset all settings, alternatively you can just pop the BIOS battery, wait a bit, then pop it back in. Let us know if you still have issues.
This is the NIC I bought: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833320069&Tpk=nx1101
Looks to be a standard PCI card. The PCI-e card you linked doesn't seem like it would fit into my expansion slot.
Anyways, I downloaded software to recognize my hardware info and here is my motherboard info:
Motherboard Properties
Manufacturer: Intel Corporation
Product: DG33SXG2
Version: AAD94468-500
Serial Number: [ TRIAL VERSION ]
Under system slots, I have a PCIe x16 slot, PCIe x1 slot, and two standard PCI slots. The PCIe x16 slot is in use by my graphics card, and the other three are empty. What confuses me is I only have one available expansion slot on my motherboard. Why are there three slots marked as empty according to this software?
As for resetting the BIOS, I'll work on that tomorrow maybe and see if that does anything. I found the BIOS battery and it looks easy to remove and replace. Thanks for all the tips you provided me with!
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It seems like the cheapest option for you if you can't get the on-board network port working is to return the PCI card you bought, get another (probably different brand) network card, or a USB wireless network dongle if you have wireless. Buying a new setup seems a bit extreme.
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On January 20 2012 11:20 MisterFred wrote:
It seems like the cheapest option for you if you can't get the on-board network port working is to return the PCI card you bought, get another (probably different brand) network card, or a USB wireless network dongle if you have wireless. Buying a new setup seems a bit extreme.
There are other problems with the computer that makes me want to spend money on new core parts and just build another. For instance, I've had to replace the HDD several times and have it worked on for various other reasons. Most likely it's just the fact that I heavily use my PC almost every day, downloading stuff off the internet like a mad man, and generally ignoring problems if they don't directly affect my usage.
In the end, that's a personal decision for me to make. I may even look at other housing selections next semester just so this whole networking issue is left in the dust.
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EPT
