NW Card Disappears?!

[brettjameslive]

Okay, here's an odd one.

As a note, we've been suffering some bad thunderstorms in this part of the UK recently.

I had a guy call me today, who I visited, said to me that during a thunderstorm last week, he was using his computer, when he saw a 'spark' (I'm very unsure about this!), and since then his internet doesn't work.

So, looking at his machine (Compaq Tower, running Vista), and his router, I deduced that the problem was on his computer (we replaced all cables and the router, and my laptop connected up just fine, via an ethernet cable - his desired connection method). When looking under device manager, there were no Network Adapters listed (in fact NW Adapters was missing altogether). I restarted the machine, scanned for hardware changes, no joy. I thought that maybe there had been a power surge during the storm and it had fried his Ethernet port (as it carried some power, and was, indirectly plugged into his telephone socket, via the router.

I fitted a new PCI Ethernet Card to replace the MB port, and hey presto, it worked! Managed to get a few bits downloaded, then.... the connection dropped out. Couldn't get it back, although the card was showing in Device Manager. I restarted the machine, and now, under device manager, we are back to square one. I.E. NO Network Adapters shown at all. The card, and the switch I have it plugged into are showing lights, but the computer has totally lost the card again. It's not listed i the Networking section of Vista OR Device Manager.

I have scanned for hardware changes again, to no avail.

Any ideas on what may be causing this strange behaviour?

Many thanks

Brett

 

[Pants]

It's probably a software problem. Just to make sure, boot up a Puppy Linux live disc and you'll probably have the connection back.

Where to find the problem in the operating system can be a tough one though. I'm not sure what to recommend on where to start. Try googling "network card missing in device manager" for a list of potential causes.

The thunderstorm and NIC going out at the same time might have just been a coincidence, and the problem could have been software the whole time, however.

Test the power supply of the tower if a linux live disc doesn't work. Try pulling everything out of the machine except the essentials if that doesn't work. Take a look at the motherboard too, for worn/blown caps.

 

[brettjameslive]

Thanks Pants.

Okay, so I swapped the PSU out for a new one, no change.

Downloaded and booted to Puppy Linux which tells me there are no Network Interface devices detected on the system. The on board Ethernet port still shows no signs of life, however the PCI card I inserted may need drivers I guess? Either way there are no signs of any interface devices on the Linux interface, so no joy

I can't see any blown/scorched capacitors on the MB, and unplugging the only other dvice (DVD-RW) doesn't seem to help.

I ave googled and tried a couple of 'solutions' (remove power from board and replace etc) but still no breakthrough.

Most odd!

 

[Knightsman]

the guy said he saw a spark....I wouldnt waste time troubleshooting this. Replace the board and move on.

I've seen sparks come out of computers, and the machine still turn on and work, but specific hardware was fried.

 

[nlinecomputers]

Sounds like a blown motherboard. I bet ANY PCI card you drop into that machine isn't going to work correctly not just NIC. Short of a POST testing card I doubt you can prove it.

 

[seedubya]

the guy said he saw a spark....I wouldnt waste time troubleshooting this. Replace the board and move on.

I've seen sparks come out of computers, and the machine still turn on and work, but specific hardware was fried.

I agree with Knightsman BUT if you want to keep troubleshooting try either a USB Wifi or USB to ethernet adapter. There's probably some damage to some section of the PCI bus.

 

[brettjameslive]

Thanks guys for this. I have to agree, in as much as, I can spend extra time here troubleshooting, but it looks like the MB has some sort of error, so it'd be time better spent looking for a replacement board!

I wondered as a last ditch attempt whether to re-install the software (OS), and at the same time upgarde (To Win 7).

Many thanks again.

If, in the mean time, I come across anything by way of a solution, I will post back.

 

[mraikes]

Thanks guys for this. I have to agree, in as much as, I can spend extra time here troubleshooting, but it looks like the MB has some sort of error, so it'd be time better spent looking for a replacement board!

I wondered as a last ditch attempt whether to re-install the software (OS), and at the same time upgarde (To Win 7).

Many thanks again.

If, in the mean time, I come across anything by way of a solution, I will post back.

Sounds like a lot of work and extra expense for something that might be remedied by a simple USB NIC. Or have you tried that already?

If everything is working fine except ethernet connectivity, why not just resolve that problem? Unless the customer actually wants a new motherboard that is. And why change from Vista to 7? There's nothing wrong with Vista as long as it's properly updated.

Sounds like (just maybe) you're getting caught up in a little spiral here that need not be so complicated.

 

[brettjameslive]

Just as I posted the last post, it occurred to me that yes, I may be going the long way round here.

I haven't tried the USB to Ethernet option (mainly as I don't have one handy), so I have ordered one, and a wifi dongle, for delivery tomorrow, to try this first.

I admit that I find the prospect of being defeated dizzying (mainly as it - fortunately - is rare) and that I may be stuck in a spiral of frustration. That's why this forum is proving a godsend, it's great to be able to bounce things off of other technically minded people. Even more so when you (mainly) work alone.

Watch this space

 

[Pants]

Either way there are no signs of any interface devices on the Linux interface, so no joy

Then your problem is a hardware issue. I've always had a good experience with Puppy using default configurations and its pretty good about automatic network configuration (including detecting wi-fi cards and starting their services) so I doubt it's a driver issue in puppy.

The guy very well may have seen a spark. Depending on how far the customer wants to go, I guess you could replace the board, but I don't think trying out a USB NIC is a bad idea either, since you've tried the other possible solutions.

 

[brettjameslive]

Solved!

mraikes, Pants, I owe you a debt of gratiture for (less) grey hair and fewer stress lines!

Indeed the £5 USB NIC worked! I got it this morning, left it running all morning and afternoon, and yep, no problems! What a polava. I think I will try one of these in this instance first, next time (if there is a next time!).

Must be the BUS on the MB that is knackered? I didn't go as far as trying another PCI card, as it wasn't necessary.

Thanks again guys, very helpful

 

[nlinecomputers]

mraikes, Pants, I owe you a debt of gratiture for (less) grey hair and fewer stress lines!

Indeed the £5 USB NIC worked! I got it this morning, left it running all morning and afternoon, and yep, no problems! What a polava. I think I will try one of these in this instance first, next time (if there is a next time!).

Must be the BUS on the MB that is knackered? I didn't go as far as trying another PCI card, as it wasn't necessary.

Thanks again guys, very helpful

It's a bandaid fix for a system that will most likely eventually totally fail. If the built in NIC and a PCI NIC both are not working in more then one os then logically the only common point is the bus structure that communicates with both.

 

[brettjameslive]

Well I'm cashing the cheque first thing tomorrow then!