[SOLVED] Yahoo DSL and my NIC

[Elvin Lightsey]

I had a series of problems with my Windows XP system that lead me to reformat and reinstall XP. My SBC (AT&T) Yahoo DSL worked fine prior to this. I tried the Setup Disk and got as far as the NIC (D Link DFE-530TX). I tried Hardware install under the Control Panel. No matter which driver I tried it alway said it would load but would not communicate. I installed a new NIC card and XP loaded it right up. It shows up under Network Connections but says not connected. I plugged in the phone line to the new NIC and it kills the dial tone. The orginal NIC had two input lines, one for phone and one for line. The new NIC only has one input. I called the SBC Yahoo Tech support but they want nothing to do with the NIC. I am now looking to find a identical replacement for the orginal NIC but would very much appreciate any assistance they anyone could supply. I have no secondary internet at home so there would be a time delay to check anything and me to respond back from work.
Thanks.

[BluBarry]

Well I do know a little about this. First off, what PC format are we talking about? Desktop or Laptop? Are you using the Modem that came with the Installation? Any NIC will work as long as it's 802.11 b/g protocol.

So regardless of whether you're using a Desktop or Laptop, you really don't need the Disk that comes with the Setup material. What you need is the ability to access your NIC by type in the address field the following address: 192.168.0.1 <-- for D-Link However a couple of things, since you have a D-Link, it may prompt you for a USER/PASS which you will use admin <-- for User and leave the password blank.

* Under NO CIRCUMSTANCES should you have ever had to format your Hard Drive. Unless you have a serious Virus running ramped through your system, Formatting is totally un-necessary, SO DON'T DO IT AGAIN !!! Formatting should not be used as a, " Ok let me start all over" method.

Next: DO NOT TALK TO 1ST LEVEL TECH SUPPORT !!! Need I repeat that? I am going to PM you with the direct number for 2nd Level Tech Support which is a number we are not suppose to give out so do not Post it. If you Post it, I will have the Managers or Mods remove it.

When you call them, just tell them to assist you with the Setup over the phone without using the Disk.

[Elvin Lightsey]

I called and talked with tech support (nice people). We tried 192.168.0.1 and got the little cannot connect offline box. Tried "ipconfig" and got "Windows IP Configuration", blank line and then the prompt back. "winver" shows the Service Pack 2 loaded but I think I have something missing on operating system. I tried these things with the DLink NIC and the new NIC I bought. No difference in the results. I am going to look at the patches on Microsoft and see if I stumble across something.
Thanks for all the help.

[johnwill]

If you don't get any displayed information for IPCONFIG, your hardware is not installed correctly.

Start, Run, devmgmt.msc

Under Network adapters, please tell me all the devices listed. Also, are there any devices anywhere in the Device Manager display with yellow ? or ! displayed?

[Elvin Lightsey]

Thanks, I will try that tonight when I get home.

[BluBarry]

When going to > Start > Run > CMD > and typing in IPCONFIG

You should get your IP Address which you DO NOT have to be connected to the Net in order to do. By getting an IP Address, this will let you know, your Computer via NIC is communicating with the Modem.

However if you DO NOT get an IP ADDRESS, then there is something wrong with the configuration of the NIC.

Therefore, I would then GOTO Device Manager 2C if your NIC is listed. Obviously you get there in XP a number of ways but the EZ way is RIGHT CLICK on MY COMPUTER > PROPERTIES > HARDWARE > DEVICE MANAGER . Once you open Device Manager, you will see a List of all the Hardware in your System. Under Network Adapters, you should see your NIC. If you do not see it in that List, then you know it was not installed correctly.

If Your NIC is not in the List:

1. POWER DOWN YOUR COMPUTER.

2. REMOVE THE POWER PLUG FROM THE BACK OF YOUR COMPUTER.

3. IF YOU HAVE THIN LIGHT WEIGHT RUBBER GLOVES PUT THEM ON TO REDUCE THE POSSIBILITY OF STATIC WHEN TOUCHING YOUR MOTHER BOARD.

4. REMOVE THE NIC

5. REPLACE THE POWER CORD AND RESTART YOUR COMPUTER.

6. ONCE YOU'VE GOTTEN YOUR DESKTOP UP, POWER IT DOWN AGAIN AND REPEAT NUMBER 2.

7. REPLACE THE NIC BACK INTO THE SLOT OR TRY A DIFFERENT PCI SLOT IF AVAILABLE

8. POWER YOUR SYSTEM BACK UP AGAIN


If Windows recognizes you've added HARDWARE, U R on the right path. Since XP provides many necessary Drivers, try 2C if XP will install the Drivers you need instead of using the Disk you got with the NIC.

After you've done all of that, look in your Device Manager 2C if your NIC is now listed. If it is, then re-do the ipconfig method 2C if you can now get an IP Address. If you still can not, then you have one of two possibilities.

1. I would then consider reloading Windows XP since you claim you had to FORMAT. Quite possible there was something on the Window's Disk that got removed and not replace.

2. You are working with a NIC that is defective, even if it wasn't B4. REMEMBER : When I told you to put on some gloves, you'd be surprised but if you didn't when you first installed the NIC, you might have possibly shorted it by touching it and admitting a static shock that you didn't notice which might have caused it to no longer function. Sounds crazy but it happens every single day.


I'll keep watch 2C how you're making out ...

[Elvin Lightsey]

The best question of the day.
"Also, are there any devices anywhere in the Device Manager display with yellow ? or ! displayed?"
Directly under network adapter which I had totally ficsated on, was Other devices with a big "?" next to it.
Under Other devices was ?Ethernet Controller (no driver loaded), ?PCI Simple Communications Controller (no driver loaded) Universal Serial Bus (USB) Controller (no driver loaded) X 2.
I put the Windows CD in and after a little searching I found the drivers. No more question marks. A reboot for good measure and everything is working again.
I want to thank everyone who assisted me in my fumbling attemp to put the beast back in the box.
Thanks so very much.
Elvin.
p.s. I took an extra long lunch hour to check this out because I felt that nagging feeling when I have overlooked the obvious.

[BluBarry]

Great News EL !!! So now that you've solved this issue, don't be a stranger .. stop by once in awhile, even if to help someone else out.

Not for nothing, from your Post(s) I can tell you have a great deal more knowledge about this stuff than most.

[johnwill]

Glad it was an easy fix.