Network Card Problem

[TonyMan]

:confused: My son just installed a new network card, actually in hopes of solving a problem. All of a sudden he had no connectivity to the home network. He now has a D-Link DFE-530TX+. I was looking at what the problem could be, think I found it, but don't understand how to fix it.

I looked at WINIPCFG and it looked strange. Instead of IP address it says "IP Autoconfiguration address", and has an address of 169.254.62.131. This is obviously not an address the DHCP in the router would give out. I don't understand where this address came from, why it is auto configuration, and how do I get rid of it. I looked in Network Neighborhood and the PC is set up like all the others at home and is set to obtain an IP address automatically.

Any ideas welcome.

[Scorpio69]

If you are sure EVERYTHING in your network properties is the same, go back to WINIPCFG, select RELEASE, then RENEW. See if that doesn't fix it.

[TonyMan]

Tried that, no change. Also tried another cable, a different router port, and moved the NIC into a different slot. I don't see evidence of teh card being connected by the router LEDs also. Really strange.

[cadetstimpy]

Is there a link light? If not then check/replace cable. Software won't work until there's a good solid link light.

[jkrohn]

I just set up a home network and had a terrible time getting the D-link cards to link up with the router. Eventually by switching slots and reinstalling a few times on one i got it to work, and on teh other i just flat out took it back. Once I got a new card it worked like a charm.

[DVNT1]

like cadetstimpy said, focus on the cable link problem first. Some NICs fail by not auto-detecting the network speed. Of course it is more likely to be the cabling. even without a driver, all PCI NICs I use always display a link light right after power on.

[TonyMan]

I hear that, we've tried two different cables that were in place to different rooms. On one we reterminated new connectors, no luck. Gonna get a store made cable & try that.

Thanks

[TonyMan]

Well it was the cables. Just put a new one in & it worked. Kinda confused by the whole situation. In thinking back, I took a power hit that killed my router & DSL modem. I just can't believe it somehow took the cables also!

Anyway, it works & we're ditching the old cables. Thanks to everyone for the help.;)