Onboard NIC fails, new PCI ones won't work

OK,
I have a motherboard with an onboard NIC. One day the NIC fails for some reason. Now all the PCI NIC cards i try to use don't work. I've only had one success and that is with the NIC from my old computer downstairs. I've tried to place the new NIC in the old computer so i use it's NIC, but then the new card doesn't work in the old computer. I've tried two different NIC's, one no name brand one and a D-link, but neither worked in either of the computers.

The error i get is that i have "Limited or No Connectivity ", i have already tried the method described here, http://users.tpg.com.au/adsl5muj/index.htm.

I really don't want to return my motherboard, because its too much hassle, so I'm wondering if there is some way around my issue. Or if my board is just frying every card i stick in it except that one NIC.

System:
Windows XP Pro SP2
2.66GHz Celeron D 533MHz FSB
ECS 865PE-A Motherboard
512MB PC3200 Geil RAM

 

I guess it could be possible that the motherboard is frying network cards, but I've not seen nor heard of that before and for me it doesn't ring true. Why only fry NICs? To me it seems more likely that the problem is at the other end of the network cable.

What are you connecting too? How long is the cable to that device? Is the cable a complete manufactured unit, or did you have it made? Are there any devices near the cable run that could generate a lot of electrical noise (for example CB Radio, MIG welders [an extreme example, but I've seen it cause problems], fluorescent lights)? Is the cable running in the same conduit as or along side the mains lead?

 

Im connecting to a 4-port hub, the cable is 20 feet long, i made it that way but i know how to make cables, i've wired up whole houses before. The cable runs through the wall, not next to anything. three computers connect to the hub and the cable modem is plugged into the hub also.

The only thing i don't understand is that i have one NIC card that works fine, i just can't use it cuz it goes in the family computer, and others don't. And once i've tried a brand new NIC in my computer, it no longer works in any other computer either.

 

I'm betting on cable problems too.

You don't say exactly what 'doesn't work' includes but try this.

Install the new NIC in the PC and have TCP/IP loaded.

Open a command prompt (start => run => command for 95/98/ME and start => run => cmd for NT/2K/XP).

Once there, key in

Code:

ping 127.0.0.1

and if you get 4 returns with values, then the problem is about 99.9% sure to be a cable issue or a problem with the hub port you are using.

 

You might have already done this. Disable the onboard nic maybe in the Bios. go to safemode and view>show hidden devices in Device Manager and if there are any ghost installs remove or disable (if they won't remove) them. Add/Remove software also. Go back to regular boot and install the current nic. View hidden folders again to make sure any old ones aren't showing. If you have another PCI slot to try this might be the ticket if all else fails.
Network Folder disable any network connections you aren't using. You aren't trying to put it on a pci slot that is sharing raid,video,sound? Mine is on a slot that shares with USB and seems to be working fine.
I have VIA,Soundblaster and Raid. It is ACPI though and IRQ 11 is jammed.

 

well i feel pretty darn dumb. I never reset my cable modem. Apparently my ISP only allows 2 simultanious connections and the modem saves the device info of those connecting devices or something. I reset the modem and everything worked fine. THanks for the help.

 

Who would have thought of that one? At least you know your computer works. Glad you found that.