Magical disappearing network adapters

StevinsonAuto · 11-06-2009, 12:02 PM

Okay our company uses PowerSpec B617's with downgrade rights to XP Pro SP3.

We have had no real problems until this latest batch of around 7 PC's.

At our home office headquarters, I set up the PC with all the software needed, run updates, and configure the PC for our domain.

This latest batch of PC's, when I install them at our different dealerships, will work fine for about a day or two, then for no apparent reason, the ONBOARD network adapter shuts off.

It is not in the device manager, not in hidden device manager, in the network connections screen there are no icons, and there is no fix.

NOW, here is the weird part. I bring them back to our home office, plug them in and for some reason I cannot figure out, they work fine. The network adapter shows up in the device manager and the connections are green. I bring them back to the corresponding dealership and plug them in and they work fine. Then a week later. Same thing.

A huge whiskey tango foxtrot on my part. Thanks in advance for any help.

**johnwill** · 11-06-2009, 12:31 PM

I'd have to suspect power and grounding issues with the electrical supply a the remote site. At least that would be my first inclination. Of course, this is one I'd probably want to be seeing personally with my test equipment in hand...

StevinsonAuto · 11-06-2009, 12:46 PM

Thanks for the quick response. Power supply was my first thought as well.

One is in a service bay for a service technician. They use quite a bit of power.

The other one is in a parts department that shares a power strip with a couple other power intensive machines.

What would be the best way to test this with a multimeter in hand?

**johnwill** · 11-07-2009, 12:38 PM

Well, the first thing I'd do is change the power connection to a more stable connection, just come equipped with a long extension cord. I'd simply want to get the PC on a different circuit breaker.

Next, I'd be measuring the ground potential between the outlet ground and the chassis of the computer with it unplugged but the cables connected to see if there is a differential voltage there (it will be A/C).

11-06-2009, 12:02 PM	#1 (permalink)
StevinsonAuto Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 4 OS: WINXP PRO SP3	Magical disappearing network adapters Okay our company uses PowerSpec B617's with downgrade rights to XP Pro SP3. We have had no real problems until this latest batch of around 7 PC's. At our home office headquarters, I set up the PC with all the software needed, run updates, and configure the PC for our domain. This latest batch of PC's, when I install them at our different dealerships, will work fine for about a day or two, then for no apparent reason, the ONBOARD network adapter shuts off. It is not in the device manager, not in hidden device manager, in the network connections screen there are no icons, and there is no fix. NOW, here is the weird part. I bring them back to our home office, plug them in and for some reason I cannot figure out, they work fine. The network adapter shows up in the device manager and the connections are green. I bring them back to the corresponding dealership and plug them in and they work fine. Then a week later. Same thing. A huge whiskey tango foxtrot on my part. Thanks in advance for any help. Last edited by StevinsonAuto; 11-06-2009 at 12:03 PM.

11-06-2009, 12:31 PM	#2 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 41,580 OS: Windows 7, XP-Pro, Vista, Linux Blog Entries: 1	Re: Magical disappearing network adapters I'd have to suspect power and grounding issues with the electrical supply a the remote site. At least that would be my first inclination. Of course, this is one I'd probably want to be seeing personally with my test equipment in hand... __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience

11-06-2009, 12:46 PM	#3 (permalink)
StevinsonAuto Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 4 OS: WINXP PRO SP3	Re: Magical disappearing network adapters Thanks for the quick response. Power supply was my first thought as well. One is in a service bay for a service technician. They use quite a bit of power. The other one is in a parts department that shares a power strip with a couple other power intensive machines. What would be the best way to test this with a multimeter in hand?

11-07-2009, 12:38 PM	#4 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 41,580 OS: Windows 7, XP-Pro, Vista, Linux Blog Entries: 1	Re: Magical disappearing network adapters Well, the first thing I'd do is change the power connection to a more stable connection, just come equipped with a long extension cord. I'd simply want to get the PC on a different circuit breaker. Next, I'd be measuring the ground potential between the outlet ground and the chassis of the computer with it unplugged but the cables connected to see if there is a differential voltage there (it will be A/C). __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience