computer not recognizing network cards

A week ago my computer froze while opening iTunes, I had to manually power it off. After restarting, it no longer would connect me to the internet. I can't get my integrated network card to show in Device Manager, and I've tried 2 different new ones in the PCI slots, and they will never show either. I've tried Add New Hardware, the cd it came with, everything. I've gone through the event viewer and can't find anything that looks related either. The integrated network piece is in the same block as 2 USB ports which are working fine. I tried disabling and enabling through BIOS, installing in Safe Mode, no luck.

Any thoughts how I can get a network card to work again?

HP a350n Pentium 4 Windows XP 32bit Service Pack 3

 

If plodr's advice doesn't fix the issue, I'd bite the bullet and purchase a PCI slot 10/100 NIC (Network Interface Card).

I have run into several cases where the built-in NIC appears OK (the green light where the Ethernet cord plugs in is on) and Device Manager states it is working -- however, when I insert and use a new NIC card in an open expansion slot, the problem goes away.

This is not expensive. A good 10/100 NIC (a.k.a. Ethernet) card is about $10-$12 @ NewEgg; if you want it right away at a slightly higher price check out Best Buy or Walmart.

Hope this helps.

 

I've tried 2 PCI cards in addition to the one that's built in. They show power on the lights, and flicker when I connect the ethernet cable, it's just that Windows won't recognize them, they don't exist. I've had my ISP (Comcast) reset the modem from their end, and I've manually reset and power cycled it. I have s USB/Ethernet adapter that connects me, so I know it's not the internet, however it's much slower than using my normal network card. Is there a way t reset Windows to make it look for the PCI cards?

 

Hello,
When the network PCI card is connected, make sure you disable your onboard NIC in BIOS. Also, with the network PCI card connected, are there any yellow exclamation marks under Network Adapter in Device Manager?

 

Do you get any lights on the problematic NIC port at all?

 

I appreciate all of your help. I tried updating the drivers, but after they open and I go to find the network card in the device manager, it doesn't show up. I tried doing the new chipset driver as well, and Windows says it's not any newer than what I have and does't complete. I get power on all the NIC cards and lights flashing, just Windows ignores their existence.