Troubleshooting: Ethernet Cards


In three of my previous articles, I illustrated "What are Ethernet Cards? How to install them in Windows 98? And, how to install them in a bad way, I mean, if you cannot get benefit from the 'Plug and Play' feature of Windows 98 and you have to perform surgeries manually, in some cases".

Network problems often result from the malfunctioning network adapter cards. The process of troubleshooting the network adapter works like any other kind of troubleshooting process; start with the simple. The following list details some aspects you can check if you think your network adapter card might be malfunctioning:

1. Make sure the cable is properly connected to the card.

Joke: Once I was attempting my MCSE exam of Advanced Computer Networks. Test asked me nearly a two-page long scenario on a company, which was facing nearly 20 problems in the Primary Domain Controller. Test showed nearly 8 different solutions, each was containing paragraph-wide length. I had to select the best solution. Situation was looking dam serious as a case of life and death. The only problem was: The cable was not properly connected to the card, that is why, Server was not receiving any type of request from clients and well as from other devices which were performing as the monitors (Networking monitors). Also the subnet connected to that card lost its domain. So be careful while attempting to play with Ethernet card in any situation.

2. Confirm that you have the correct network adapter card driver and that the driver is installed properly.

3. Be sure the card is properly bound to the appropriate transport protocol.

4. Make sure the network adapter card and its driver are compatible with your operating system. If you use Windows 98, consult the Windows 98 hardware compatibility list (you may get it from the Microsoft's site). Likewise, if you use Windows NT or any other operating system, Check 'Operating System's Official Web-site for compatibility list' and 'specifications provided by the vendor of the card'.

5. Test for resource conflicts. Make sure another device isn't attempting to use the same resources. If you think a resource conflict might be the problem, lets try to check it from Windows help. Press F1. Type 'Hardware Conflict Troubleshooter' in Search Tab. Perform the steps as mentioned by the Windows help. Its important that you either remove the duplicate drivers or try to remove all the cards except the network adapter and then replacing the cards one by one. Check the network with each addition to determine which device is causing the conflict.

The copyright of the article Troubleshooting: Ethernet Cards in Local Area Networks is owned by Muhammad Ahsan. Permission to republish Troubleshooting: Ethernet Cards in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

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