Intel PRO/100 VE Network Adapter

Please help! I have a Dell Dimension 4700, running Windows XP Pro SP 2, which has the above network connection. I haven't been able to connect to the internet, although the icon says "connected".

The IP address has been specified, with no improvement. The DSL line is OK, and so is the modem. After troubleshooting this for a couple of days, a tech says the problem is the network adapter, and I should buy a standard network adapter and replace the old one. He said a standard one should cost about $10-20.

The computer's troubleshooter says the device is working properly.

Has Intel's PRO/100 VE Network connection be replaced by something else? I'm having a hard time finding one. I've been having mega computer problems since Nov 21, and need to fix this quickly, which means I'll need to find a store tomorrow (I hope) where I can buy another network adapter. What should I buy? Should I get something from Intel, or is there another make you would recommend?

I hope this is in the right forum -- I wasn't sure if it should go here or in hardware. Thanks for your help.

 

Your Dell's LAN adapter (NIC) is onboard-- built onto the motherboard. That's why you can't find one of the same to purchase. Look for some basic PCI LAN cards from either D-Link or Linksys-- they'll do just fine. Too bad there's not someone you know personally that could take a hands-on look at it-- I tend to think your onboard NIC might not necessarily be out of commission (although I have experienced that once myself). If you still can't get connected with a new card installed, you'll know it's quite likely it wasn't your onboard NIC to begin with.

 

Thanks for your helpful reply, Doug.

I just ran hard drive diagnostics. Here are the results:

Drive 0: Maxtor 6Y080M0 - Fail. Return code: 7
Drive 1: No device
Drive 2: Philips DVD+RW DVD8601 - Diagnostics not supported
Drive 3: No device

So, does the "fail" on drive 0 (Zero?) mean the hard drive is bad?

Nancy

 

A quick Google indicates, if your Dell Dimension 4700's hard drive is SATA interface, you may need to call Dell (if your warranty is still in effect) for a replacement. In any case, I'd start backing up anything you don't want to lose right away.

 

I don't know how to tell whether the hard drive is SATA interface (system information just says standard disk drives), but the computer went off warranty last October. This computer is a replacement from Dell for a previous version that had lots of problems and months of troubleshooting with Dell until they finally replaced it. I could only extend the warranty one year because I had 3 years on the original purchase.

Normally, I back up weekly, but the set I made Oct 19 is the latest, due to all the reinstallations.

Should I just get a new hard drive? What specifications should I look for?

 

NAS:

Been there, Done that. So, I hope this helps.

I, too, experienced a similiar issue with a new Dell system last year. Pulled it out of the box, hooked it up, plugged it in and bingo... it connected to internet & LAN... but after a day or so -- it stopped. Long story short, went round and round with Dell and their techs, replaced units, motherboards, etc with always the same result. Ended up having to ditch the on-board NIC for a PCI card type.

Then, one day, I thought I would try something... logged onto Dell's website and went to the download page for the specific system... downloaded the NIC driver for that system. Installed it and PRESTO --- the system is running just ducky and I was able to remove the PCI NIC card and go back to the on-board NIC.

Can't explain the why or what but then none of the tech's at Dell ever suggested doing that either. Must be something in the CD install that is not 100% right. All I know is that it worked and now I have to step back and remember that move when I run into a similiar problem in the future.

Hope this works for you!!!