computer help

[Marilyn. 340]

my computer has been dead in the water for awhile now so now hubby and I are back to sharing our old computer... and it is slowly driving him crazy..lol

the problem with my computer is that it won't connect to the internet anymore and I have come to the conclusion that I need a PCI Network card...

my only problem is that I am not sure if I can just buy any old network card...

I don't have a network card now because it is directly connected to the motherboard...

Edited February 9, 2008 by MarilynP

[PlatyPius 5]

Any old network card will do.

Have you tried reinstalling the drivers for your motherboard?

What's the make and model of the computer?

Edited February 9, 2008 by Rocinante

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

if you have xp

control panel to system to hardware tab to device manager

look for any conflicts there (yellow question mark or red x)

it you need a network card any would due. just make sure it's compatible with your OS

[Marilyn. 340]

Acer Aspire AST180

and it is running Windows Vista...

it slowly died over a period of a few months... it would keep disconnecting and reconnecting and then one day it didn't connect at all and kept saying that it wasn't plugged in....

Edited February 9, 2008 by MarilynP

[PlatyPius 5]

You should have exactly one free PCI slot, so any network card that supports Vista should be fine. I'm partial to Netgear and 3Com network cards.

Just a warning, though.... if the network port on your motherboard is really dead, it could be an indication of more troubles to come.

I know it might not seem related, but try reseating the memory. You should have 2 sticks of memory in there with two open slots.

Also, watch the back of your computer and see if the green LED near the network port lights up when the cable is plugged in.

[PlatyPius 5]

Just saw the edit....

Have you tried a different network cable?

[Marilyn. 340]

You should have exactly one free PCI slot, so any network card that supports Vista should be fine. I'm partial to Netgear and 3Com network cards.

Just a warning, though.... if the network port on your motherboard is really dead, it could be an indication of more troubles to come.

I know it might not seem related, but try reseting the memory. You should have 2 sticks of memory in there with two open slots.

Also, watch the back of your computer and see if the green LED near the network port lights up when the cable is plugged in.

nope, it doesn't... I noticed that already...

so to reset the memory.. I just pull out the memory card and reinsert it??

Just saw the edit....

Have you tried a different network cable?

yup....

[PlatyPius 5]

so to reset the memory.. I just pull out the memory card and reinsert it??

Yup.

When you pull each one out, look for any debris or discoloration on the pins.

[Marilyn. 340]

ok.... thanks for your help

so should I reset before or after I install the new card?? or does it matter??

[PlatyPius 5]

I'd try it first.

Some of the new HPs I worked on would actually have inoperative network ports until I pulled the memory and reinstalled it. Would happen with processors too, but I doubt that's your problem since it worked for so long.

[Marilyn. 340]

oh so resetting the memory might make it work again...

[archie07 0]

Check to make sure there isn't a cable splitter in the line too.

[Marilyn. 340]

cable splitter r??

[PlatyPius 5]

oh so resetting the memory might make it work again...

Aye.

Slim chance, but worth a shot.

[Marilyn. 340]

ok will give that a try...

danke schon...