Comments on: Ethernet Cards 101

Question: Ethernet Cards 101

chiababe — Sun, 15 Aug 2004 16:05:04 -0800

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.

By: phyrewerx

phyrewerx — Sun, 15 Aug 2004 16:09:45 -0800

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.

By: plinth

plinth — Sun, 15 Aug 2004 16:45:20 -0800

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.

By: angry modem

angry modem — Sun, 15 Aug 2004 18:13:23 -0800

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

By: chiababe

chiababe — Sun, 15 Aug 2004 18:23:19 -0800

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.

By: Richat

Richat — Sun, 15 Aug 2004 18:38:40 -0800

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...

By: chiababe

chiababe — Sun, 15 Aug 2004 19:14:12 -0800

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?

By: chiababe

chiababe — Sun, 15 Aug 2004 19:22:09 -0800

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.