Tam

Ok, I know you are going to say "format c:" I got that and it's VERY close to what I am about to do here. BUT I wanna see if anyone else has ever had this problem?

I am on a Dell 8300, 1GB RAM, WinXP Home.. 2.8 GHz, blah blah blah. that's out of the way.

We had a storm last night and I shut my computers down. right before I shut them down, I heard a pop, so I knew something was fucked, but wasn't sure what.

I turn my pc back on and it appears that my network card (on board) has been fried, my pc doesn't even see it anymore. So I go out and buy a new one, get it home and this fucker won't read that one either. So I assume it is my router..... unhook everything from it, put in my new backup router. nope, still won't work.

I take out the cords and hook them directly into the cable modem.... NOPE, still won't even think of letting me forceit to see anything network related at all.

NOW, this is where it gets weird.... all the other pcs in the house can access the network but not connect to the internet or any other computers because this is my admin system.. all but my work system. I can take any one of them and plug them into the modem and they work, so I know itisn't the modem. BUT none will work if I plug them into the router that is plugged into THIS system.

I take the new network card and hook it into the other computer and it works fine, it sees it there and will install it.

Basically this work pc I have will not see ANYTHING related to a network card or network settings. BUT everything else works fine.

Has anyone else ever had this happen and if so what the hell do I do to fix it? Is it likely if I DO format it, it is going to fix the issue or is there something more fucked than I am able to comprehend? I don't want to format it if it is just going to be something else, but I will if this will fix this problem.

StatsJunky

Try plugging the network card into a different AGP slot. Maybe it is a problem with that slot.

I doubt formatting will help. More than likely something got fried on the board.

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Sosa

try plugging the network card into a different PCI slot on the motheboard. Could just be the PCI slot

Sosa

AGP slot huh? lol I didn't know they made network cards for AGP

Tam

I plugged that fucker into every slot there is on this system. LOL

I have been inside this pc so many times. wellll............. ok, I am getting sidetracked. LMAO *damn porn industry*

Tam

I was thinking this too, but I just assumed he meant PCI, so I read between the lines. lol

StatsJunky

Yes I did lol. Don't know why I had AGP on my mind.

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Tam

Who knows, but I knew what ya meant baby. I am good at reading what isn't being said. lmao

Thanks for the help, I have a feeling you guys are right........... but man, I do NOT need to lose this system, it's my baby.

Fuckin Bill

It sounds like something on the motherboard definitely got fried. Could also be a slight problem with the power supply.

Try taking some other card out, if you can, and plug the network card in and see if it works. If the power supply is on it's way out it might not be providing enough power to run the last card.

You could also try unplugging an extra hard drive, or floppy drive if you can't pull another card out.

If that doesn't work, you most likely need a new motherboard.

pussyluver

AGP is for the video. Urge to call you a name.

You need to disable the onboard NIC and point to your new NIC. This is all in the configuration and setup of your computer. Have to have the right drivers in place etc. Some of this is automatic and some not.

Easiest way is to call Dell and have them walk you through it. Or hire the GeekSquad to come over. They work out of BestBuy now. So if you have a Best Buy near you, you can take it there. Not sure if they'll touch a Dell, but prolly will.

pussyluver

There is also the chance that other things got screwed too including the Power Supply. If the PC boots up and you can run other programs even if in safe mode then chances are the Power supply is OK.

drama

The most important unasked question is, was the shit on a surge protector or was it straight in to the wall?

Tam

It's funny you mention them, my husband's best friend is one of the founders of that and he got out when he decided he didn't like the name they gave it and said it would never fly... well...... look at them now, huh? lol

I have been in the system shit, everywhere, trying to disable that thing, and no matter what I do, it still tries to reinstall it. But what is strange is that when it does that, it says there was an error and can't install the drivers, same thing it tells me on the new one. I tried to even manually install them, that didn't work either.

My power supply is good, I already checked that part.

When I go into diagnostics mode, the ONLY errors it shows me is for the whole network section of my system, nothing else is even conflicting anywhere.

I am pretty savy with a computer and this one has me completely baffled. lol

Tam

I have all my shit plugged into a Belkin UPS system... the power was never out at any time, it was just starting to storm when I started shutting it down. In fact, this one was already off when that happened.

And literally everything else on it works and works great, just not one thing to do with my network stuff. I even uninstalled everything to do with my network shit and reinstall it.

OG LennyT

I would make a checklist before swapping components. Luckily you have multiple pcs and can keep trying different hardware configs. Check off components you know are good and try the different PCI slot idea too.

Eventually you will find the bad component.

I assume you tried installing your drivers again for the network card as well.

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Doc911

remove all the cards in your system except the network card and video card. try that. it my be another card bad thats causing a conflict.

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OG LennyT

If everything is good, since you did this you might want to re-check your network setup.

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Realpascal

I'd say, since your onboard LAN got fried, there are other things that got fried on that mainboard too.
Not enough for a complete malfunction, but enough to screw op some things.

My

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jimmyf

good advice, i've had this happen with a sound card,

I'd also try it with a Diff. video card

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Pete-KT

Seems like you might of fried more then your network card, it might be time for a new motherboard call dell it should be under warranty still if its a new system

CT

Is it trying to reinstall the onboard NIC? If so, then it is probably not fried... just an issue with the driver for it.

Tam

Yes, it is trying to install drivers for that NIC, that's what is freaking me out, it's like it sees it, but when it comes time to install drivers for that, or ANY NIC, it says there is an error and won't carry thru the installation.

I already made the checklist too. sound card rocks, as usual........... video card is fine. Everything on it seems ok. I uninstalled almost every piece of software in case there was a conflict there. Restored it back to a week ago, to be on the safe side. When I did this, it says it found new hardware and was again trying to install that onboard NIC.

Pete, it is a 3 yr old system, no warranty, I am afraid to even look at the cost of repairing this puppy, I'd be better tossing it out the window and buying a new one when I save my pennies. LOL

The fucked up part is that this is my oldest system...... but my favorite and my workdog. LOL

drama

If you were plugged in to a UPS then chances are shit is fine and this is just something that happened.

UPSs, unlike surge protectors, have Automatic Voltage regulation so even if the voltage on your lines spiked from lets say 115V to 130V you should be fine.

Start off by removing the drivers for the NIC. Go into the hardware manager and make sure that the NIC isnt there, if it is then delete the hardware from the system and reboot.

The same shit has happened to me a few times.

Tam

I'll try that again. this is part of why I am not willing to give it up yet, it does see it, there just has to be something in there that's fucking it up on me. And it is probably something so stupidly simple.

The pop I heard though, it came from the other side of my desk, not from the area of my computer itself..... and all that's over there are my speakers, 2 of them, and my printer.... doesn't matter though, everything BUT my printer is in that Belkin thingie and those are all fine. LOL

CT

Hit me up on ICQ I will help you get it fixed. 34416048

Spunky

My guess would be the power supply

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Tam

Nope, we checked that. it is fine. So are all my cables and everything else. Been there..

Robx

Have a good smell of your motherboard. Sure, it sounds weired, but if there is a particularly bad surge or static discharge grounding through a component, there will be a distinct smell.

Regardless, it sure sounds like it may be something related to either a surge, static, or other electrical event. If this has happened, first, call Dell and work through the support system. They may allow you to return the computer after a bit of work. However, this is a long shot if you've opened the case.

Some components, even when on board, are more susceptible to surge breakthroughs and static. On board network cards and sound cards are usually venerable.

If you work through all of the steps in this thread, consider calling your home / business insurance company and placing a claim for the computer. Chances are that if I am correct and it was an electrical event, things will only get worse as time goes on, not better. It may be a good idea to cut your losses now and see if you can get a new computer.

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Tam

You know? I felt retarded doping this, and I didn't have a clue why, but somewhere in my head it said to me, smell it and see if something is burning. I always do that when something is hit by electricity or if there is a short in wiring or something. lol

I didn't even think of my home owners insurance.. I just want my damn computer to work, I paid a lot of damn money for this thing. of course I think they are half what I paid NOW, but still . lol

jimmyf

every thing else fails... un-plug it from the power 5 or 10 min's. un-plug don't just turn it off...

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Damian_Maxcash

Rather than toss the system as a last ditch attempt I would try an external USB ethernet adaptor... Im sure they are available for use on Laptops.

Be careful when you unwrap it and Im sure they will take it back if it dosnt work. Chat up the clerk at the store when you buy it and act all blonde - they will def take it back then

latinasscash

It sounds to me more like your TCP/IP stack got corrupted. This would explain the onboard NIC and the PCI one not functioning.

Check your system startup events and it should give you an error message at the time TCP/IP is loaded.

Tam

I already did this, he is the one that told me it was my network card. LOL
He's gonna take this new one back too, like it or not. I'll tell his boss that he lied to me. LMAO

pussyluver

Well, a lot of time invested so far. Maybe it is time to Fdisk it? (Really mean use your install disk and kill the partitions and recreate them...)

Fuckin computers. It'll take hours to load the OS, drivers and apps....

Good luck to ya Tam.

Realpascal

Don't fuck with someone's job over a $7 network card.

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L0stMind

babe, just go into the bios, disable onboard network, and install the new network card. Since you disabled the onboard network, it wont ask for a driver disk to install the frigging thing. Then all you gotta do is pop in the driver disk for the new network card and install that beast. Reboot if needed and you should be fine.

Onboard devices can cause problems with pci devices sometimes...

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Tam

Oh god, it was a joke. I am probably one of THE single most considerate people there is over shit like this...... and have tremendous respect for people who work in those places. I am keeping the card as a backup..

Tam

I THINK I may have found the problem, not sure. but if this doesn't work then I am going to try that and see if it works.

Turns out, I have several instances of spyware on here that are reliant my nic card and that's why it isn't letting me work with it at all. I got rid of those and it has let me finally uninstall it and take the drivers again. If that doesn't work then I am gonna try this and see if it works. Thanks, babe.

Project-Shadow

If all else fails try resetting your bios [change the jumper pins on your mobo by the battery] leave it there for a minute, then place the jumper pins back to the original location... it's saved me a shit load of hassle more than once.

Tam

Well I have gotten SOMEWHERE on this at least. I managed to make it stop giving me shit about the drivers.. I went to my bios and disabled that screwy onboard card and put the new one in it. Got it to take the drivers for it.. still can't get it online, but hey. it's getting somewhere at least. LOL

It is seeing the card in my device settings and lost that little yellow, annoying exclamation mark. NOW all I have to do is make it stop telling me the network cable is unplugged and it is done. lol

I am going to owe this whole damn board in tech fees by the time this is done, huh? LOL