Ethernet Cards 101

August 15, 2004 4:05 PM

I recently purchased an ethernet card for my laptop. It's not working. (MI)

It's a Dynex DX-E201 PCMCIA Network Card. The computer is recognizing the device. However, it shows that packets have been sent, but not received. I am running Windows XP. Please, I need "ethernet cards for dummies" as I am not so tech savvy.

posted by chiababe to computers & internet (7 comments total)

What type of network are you connected to? Some lans require that new mac addresses (the unique id#s identifying ethernet cards) be first registered with the network admins before it can be connected to the network.

If packets are being sent it means the card should be working fine, but the network itself, (firewalls, the DCHP server responsible for giving your computer an IP address etc.) is not accepting your connection. You should call your ISP or network admin to see if there are any specific procedure to register a new ethernet card.
posted by phyrewerx at 4:09 PM on August 15, 2004

Open up a command window (windowskey-r command).
Enter the command "ipconfig"
It should list all your available network interfaces and their ip addresses. If your card isn't there, it's probably a driver problem.

If your new card comes back with 169.x.x.x (where the x's are inconsequential), it means that you are not getting an address from your DHCP server.
posted by plinth at 4:45 PM on August 15, 2004

If your new card comes back with 169.x.x.x (where the x's are inconsequential), it means that you are not getting an address from your DHCP server.

in which case try ipconfig -renew
posted by angry modem at 6:13 PM on August 15, 2004

I tried the ipconfig thing and as soon as I hit enter, a window with a black background pops up, but before any information comes up in the window, it closes itself. Now what?

Thanks for all the help too.
posted by chiababe at 6:23 PM on August 15, 2004

When you open the run window, type cmd and hit enter. You will now open a dos window, that will stay open.
Now type your ipconfig or ipconfig /renew (I don't think the -renew will work, angry modem)

You haven't mentioned if it is wireless, if so, how you are getting wireless access etc...There is a fair amount of configuration involved in wireless, although I have only done wireless within a corporate environment, which is much more secure than homes can get away with...
posted by Richat at 6:38 PM on August 15, 2004

I am not running a wireless connection. I'm hooked up to a good old fashioned cable modem. (The reason I bought the card was because the USB port I am currently plugged into is loose and I lose the connection a lot) I ran ipconfig and at first it showed no IP for my card. Now after I ran ipconfig -renew it shows an IP but still no connection. Any other thoughts? Also, what's a DHCP server?
posted by chiababe at 7:14 PM on August 15, 2004

Me again. I noticed when I ran ipconfig hooked up to my USB port, the connection-specific DNS suffix shows "sc.rr.com" where the ethernet card does not. Also, there is an IP for the Default Gateway on the USB port but not the ethernet card. I hope this is helpful.
posted by chiababe at 7:22 PM on August 15, 2004