LAN problem...

[smokeydaniii]

i formatted my hd on my computer b/c i was having some virus problems...i got everything like i wanted..then when i went to get online...i started having problems...when u go to the control panel...and to network and internet connections...and u view all the connections...it shows the 1394 connection...but it doesnt show the LAN connection...soooooooooooo.....how do i get that connection there...somebody please help

[SafeFromSites]

this would indicate that your NIC drivers are probably not installed, check you device manager and see if any unknown hardware is listed, or anything highlighted.

[smokeydaniii]

could i get some quick instructions on how to check that...please

[sdsd]

Right click on "my computer", select properties, click on hardware tab, then on device manager button.
check if the NIC is listed under unkown devices, if so, you need to install the driver.

if you cant find the device there, chances it is loose from the motherboard. open the case and check.

[smokeydaniii]

the only thing i see that could be wrong under the device manager is that under Others in the device manager....ethernet controller is listed under others...it has a question mark beside it...could this be the problem?

[SafeFromSites]

yes, that is the problem, that means it has not been installed, hopefully you have your driver disk with you, right click it and cluck update driver, or install driver, what ever the term is, it should be obvious from there what to do next.

[smokeydaniii]

well...the computer is a few years old...so i dont have the driver disk...and i cant let it find and update it for me offline b/c i cant get online...would there be any way to get off the net and put it on a mini disk or a floppy from this computer?

[SafeFromSites]

certainly, what is the model of the computer, or NIC f you know it? most drivers are a INF file, of a setup file, as long as it is small enough, and they usually are, you can put them on anything including a floppy

[smokeydaniii]

does anybody know anything about driver guide toolkit....any good????

[SafeFromSites]

driver guide does a decent job, you will have to register with them before you can download, but I have never had issues with there site.

[smokeydaniii]

would drive guide be the place to try and find this driver...or nebody know any better sites...

[smokeydaniii]

this NIC im having problems with is in PCI slot 1...i put it in after having problems with the original that was built on the motherboard...any idea where to get the driver for it...its an HP pentium 4 computer

[muggy]

smokey it all depends on the make and the model of the NIC. as its an HP you should be able to find the drivers on the drivers/utility disc that was shipped with the system. if not then i would suggest you download it somewhere else and get it to your comp. HP support website lets you search by product

[smokeydaniii]

the default NIC was built on the motherboard of the computer...but lightning killed it...but not the motherboard...so i replaced it with one that just goes in the PCI slot....i'm sure it came with a floppy disk with the right driver on it...in fact....i found what i thought was it...but it just have windows 98, window ME, and windows 2K drivers on it....not XP...could i just go to Walmart or somewhere and buy a new NIC and install it and just be done with it?

[muggy]

if the PCI NIC is not damaged i dont see why you would want to buy a new one. try to find the make and model number of the NIC(the box that the NIC came with could give you that info), then try to get those drivers online

[smokeydaniii]

thats the problem..its a few yrs old...and i dont know where the box or the driver disk is...they are like $20...would buying another one like it work?

[muggy]

if its really a driver issue (which it seems to be) then yes, a new NIC should fix it

[smokeydaniii]

would the make and model number of the NIC be on the chip itself sumwhere...

[muggy]

some manufacturers do put it on there...but not most of them. it usually shows you the chip number or the model number(for their internal reference) but not the model number you would find on the box

[smokeydaniii]

do you think i should take it out just to see?