Problem with Linksys Lan card

I just installed a Linksys Etherfast 10/100 card in two machines, and neither will recognize the drivers in the floppy furnished whth the card. Anyone run across this problem and maybe have a solution/workaround/way to get needed drivers? Win98FE , IE 6, that's it. TIA Bob

 

If I remember correctly you will have to navigate to the win98 folder on the disk.

 

I have two Linksys NICs and they are using Windows drivers from the Setup files.

I never did use the one off of the floppy other than in Win95.

BillyBob

 

ssmith10pn- I finally got "smart" enuf to do that(navigate to win98 folder on floppy) and that's what did the trick. Had to be "led by the hand" a little, but got it done finally and thanks to all. I'll probably be back when trying to set up the network, but maybe I'll get lucky .
Billy Bob- tried the drivers from the win98 disk and they didn't seem to wanna fix the problem on this one. Maybe I didn't go the right route. Whatever, it's fixed and thanks again to all.

 

You are welcome bobmc32.

 

Well, I guess I have to revive the thread

Progress, but not fixed. I have the linksys now in Device Mgr with no warning or caution symbols, but the driver is still not installed. I went thru the motions and when I told "it" to install from A:\win98\netlnev4.inf-it comes back with "can't find driver in A:win98\netlnev4.cat. Now why would it do t hat?? the file netlnev4.inf came from a "find" *.inf on the floppy, which I think is the file in the win98 folder where the driver is.

 

http://www.linksys.com/download/

You didn't say what exact card you had so I couldnt go any deeper.

 

May be a long shot but I take it you just installed the NIC.

Do you also have a PCI Modem ?

If so it may be messing things up by now allowing PCI steering to do its job properly.

A PCI Modem is quite well known for doing same.

BillyBob

 

Well

ssmith10pn-It's a Linksys Etherfast 10/100 LAN Card and what you provided is plenty and thanks. I went there once but was not what sure to do with it, but just downloaded the proper one and will see.
Billy Bob-Yes, just installed and yes, do have a PCI modem and Hmm. (I know, you are gonna recommend that I get an external and solve all my problems .
Thanks to both. Bob

 

I've installed Lot's of PCI nic cards in different windows OSes and it seem that Win2000 and XP (all versions) wants to use it's own driver from the install CD called "Intel 21041" as the driver....

BUT, W95/W98 will accept the driver supplied with the NIC cards and please don't ask be why cos I don't know exactly but i have a idea it's not a certified signed driver by Mr. Billie.

I might add that i've forced the install of these drivers and used those modem speed test sites and didn't see any difference in any of them.

CU

 

Drivers get very interesting at times don't they.

I just checked and according to the drivers properties in Device Manager both of my Linksys cards ( one in 98FE & one in 98SE) are using the Win95b drivers dated 2/5/98 that came with the cards. ( before 98 came out ))

The NIC in this machine ( DEC 21040 Based Adapter ) is using the drivers from Windows 98. It came out of a machine that was in a College inviroment.

bobmc32

When you sent the search for drivers to the CD, did you send it to the Win98 folder or just to the CD ? If just sent to the CD itself it will not find the drivers.

Or you could try sending the search to the C:\Windows\inf folder.

I am 95% sure that Windows does include drivers for the card.

If that does not work then I believe it may be a hardware ( IRQ ) conflct between it and the Modem. And 98% of the time the conflicts do not show up in the DM.

Now where in the world would you get that idea.

Not 100% certainty but very possible.

BillyBob

 

Still plodding

To helpers: This won't help archives one bit, but in flailing around last night, I got the current drivers installed in the new machine installed and all looks well, and I'm not sure exactly how I did it-but that's a usual story with me, it seems. ssmith10pn-I had just downloaded the current drivers from the site(Linksys) and I'm sure that is what solved the problem, but as said, can't say steps.
Billy Bob-seems as tho I saw an external modem mentioned in one of the threads this BB about a $37 USR external and am seriously considering and you being the resident "External Modem Booster" ask if you remember it and would recommend it? I think it was an older model, but capable as to what 's required. Being frugal, on occasion-like you, I would value your opinion. Better than a $98 current one.
BTW, still flailing with computer #2.

but and pressing on.

 

Good Morning Bob

Glad to read you have got things working again.

$37 Modem

I believe the link above is what you are refering to.

The only thing I see about the $37 Modem is the fact that it is a V90 & not a V92 ( which I understand is ( was ) not working well anyway due to the fact that ISPs are ( or may not be ) upgrading their hardware.

YES, I would recommend it It should work just fine. And should be far more reliable and trouble free than the same price Internal.

But don't forget you need to add a few $$ for a Modem cable. Regular Serial Cables will work but it seems no as well.

And it will work from a 9 or 25 pin serial port. With the proper adapters on the PC end.

Good Luck from the guy that has had NO HASSLES from a Modem for years. Regardless of machine or OS on same.

BillyBob

HUH OH !!!

I just checked the URL to make sure it worked and I see they are out of stock.

I would go for the New one and I do not think you would be sorry.

Your call now.
BB

 

You'll want to check the link that ssmith gave you pretty regularly! The linksys drivers get updated quite often!

Whenever you get a message on Win9X/ME when installing a network adapter from a mfg driver and you get an error that you can't find a file, it is quite often looking for Windows networking files...the easiest thing to do then is point to then windows installation folder......CDROMDRIVE:\WIN98 for example. This way, when it tries to copy the networking files over, if you've updated them, it will tell you that the current file is newer and you'll tell it not to overwrite the newer one....

 

I think it was ME all along

(And I'm not surprised at that) I removed the Linksys from Device Manager, restarted, and on the way back win98 found it and DID get the correct drivers installed from the mfg. floppy. I had just mislead it in earlier attempts to find drivers.
So, hardware is in and working in both machines and I think the protocols are set but have another thing or two to do before I'm able to check it out and thanks to all for the help along the way. I'll be back if I mess up down the line.

 

mjg1973 is correct.

It does take both the Card dirver files plus the Win98 setup files.

BillyBob

 

Quick/Small/Simple last question

One last quickie. I'm having to make the crossover cable and have the Cat 5 cable and the RJ-45 connectors. I have checked several sites as to this operation and they make mention of stripping outside insulation but none of stripping insulation off the small inner wires. Does the crimping op. press the connectors thru the insulation for contact or does one have to strip before crimping(I'm speaking of wires now )
Thanks

Bob

 

No need to strip the individual wires, when you crimp the connector a thin metal piece pushes up through the insulation to make the connection.

 

Be sure to cut back as little of the main covering as possible.

UTP (unshielded twisted pair) cable like you are working with uses the twists to cut down in interference/static/whatever. In fact, the only difference in Cat3 and Cat5 cable is the number of twists per foot.

When you cut the covering and pull the little wires straight so you can fit them in the RJ-45 connector, you want the least possible extra length of wire outside of the connector.

 

Yeah, I think you're only supposed to untwist .5" of the twisted pairs...any more than that it outside of spec...