Network Interface Card repair

The Network Interface Card (NIC) allows you to connect to other computers either locally or over the World Wide Web (internet).
 
Network Interface Card repair Instructions:

Before we get to involved with trying to fix a network problem this site can not give you all the steps you will need to fix a network problem, it is just too complex. I can how ever help you troubleshoot it for the most common problems, if these steps fail you will have to call a local tech to assist you. By using this guide you may save yourself some money by fixing it yourself.

These cards are a go no-go type of component. They either work or they don't. However most problems with network card are caused by configuration failure.

Note: Actual hardware failure on a NIC is extremely rare, in the 10 years as a Data Center Systems Admin (the data center I worked in had 4000 servers - most with two NICs some with over four) I never saw a hardware failure of a NIC.

By configuration failure I mean that the card is getting the wrong information to allow it to do it's job.

Observe ESD!

Reseat the card, checked the cable is connected at both ends. The NIC has two LEDs, one green and one amber. The green LED should be on steady and the amber should be blinking.

If the LEDs are on and you still having problems connecting then the next step is to trouble shoot the configuration.

Note: I had a question in the [old] Q and A about a NIC that one of the LED's was steady "red", after researching the question some NIC manufactures do have a "fail on fault" indication for the hardware and that is one of the LED's will flash or be steady red in color. If you have a LED that displays red then it has failed. Do your Network Interface Card repair by replacing the card before it causes more problems with the motherboard. If it is an embedded device plan on replacing the motherboard as soon as possible.

Network Interface Card repair Steps:

A) Go to start, then accessories, then command prompt. Type in - ipconfig
You should get a listing like this:

Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:
 

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C) If the card is green and the properties display "This device is working properly." you may have a configuration problem.

D) Go to My Network Places, right click, select properties from menu. Network properties opens, do you see the "Local area Connections" or just "New Connection"? Right click on the "Local area Connections", select properties from menu.

E) DHCP Settings: When you look at the properties page you should see at a minimum four items that are checked. The main item of concern in the box labeled "This connection uses the following items:"

The one you want to check is labeled "Internet Protocol". High light it and go to the properties button. When it opens the area we are looking for is "Obtain an IP address automatically" the radio button should be checked, the boxes below should be grayed out. Close the TCP/IP Protocol page.

F) Static IP Settings: The main item of concern in the box labeled "This connection uses the following items:"

The one you want to check is labeled "Internet Protocol". Highlight it and go to the properties button.

When it opens the area we are looking for is the IP, Subnet Mask, and Gateway. Normally these would not be set unless you have a Local Area Network setup with a DNS server.

Save your settings for your network interface card repair.

If this is the case you need to know what the ip, subnet mask, gateway, DNS, and Wins addresses are for you LAN. If you hired someone to setup your LAN they should have gave you a configuration document, if not you may have to call them to get the information. If any of these parameters have changed, you will not be able to connect.

Your last step before calling a tech is to check the Speed and Duplex settings, they are under the Advanced tab of the NIC properties.

Normally you would have the speed and duplex set to Autonegotiate, however if you are connecting to a cable / DSL modem then these settings have to be set manually to 100 / Full that is 100 MBPS speed and Full duplex.

Save your settings then run the ipconfig again as listed above.

Network Card no connectivity