Installed a PSU and video card, but now my ethernet doesn't work - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Baraka_Guru · 07-02-2011, 05:10 PM

So I got a couple of new toys for my birthday: a Corsair TX 650 and a Radeon HD 6850.

I got both of them to go in and got them up and running, but now my integrated ethernet seems to have gone dead.

I tried all the regular troubleshooting in Windows Vista.

I tried rebooting my modem and router.

I tried disconnecting and reconnecting the cables.

I double checked all the power connections from the PSU. (Two are connecting to my board.)

I checked Device Manager, but I can't seem to find the ethernet listed. As far as Windows is concerned, it can't seem to find it anymore. Under Windows Network Diagnostics, I get the error: "This computer does not have a network adapter installed and configured." When I go to Manage Network Connections, nothing shows up in the list; it's blank.

At the jack itself, the light no longer shines.

I don't know what else to do. I'm not very good at Windows backend stuff, so any walkthroughs or troubleshooting will be appreciated.

I suppose at this point I have two suspicions:

1) the installation of the new PSU somehow fried the ethernet adapter.

2) the power coming from the PSU to the ethernet isn't working.

There are two power cables connecting to the board. There is one on the far side that is a wide plug with various cables connecting to it, and another one near the back of the unit, close to the ethernet jack. This one is a smaller four-prong plug. I'm not sure what it's for, but I suspect it has something to do with the ethernet stuff. I could be wrong. Maybe it's for the processor. I don't know how motherboards typically work.

I chatted a bit with Martian about this, but I suppose now I want to open this up to more suggestions.

I think my worst-case scenario is dropping $15 on a PCI ethernet card to get the Internet going again.

Of course, I want to exhaust all my options first.

Thanks.

LordEden · 07-02-2011, 06:32 PM

Well, you have killed 90% of the questions we would ask.... Good job, that's awesomesauce.

Wide plug to the motherboard is the main power source and the little one runs all the onboard devices (soundcard, onboard video, ethernet, ect).

Is there another 4-pin kind of plug that you can switch out and see if the plug is bad?
Does everything else on the motherboard work (sound and usb ports)?

There might be a setting in BIOS that could have been reset. Depending on your BIOS version, it might be laid out in a organised manner or it could be a older version that sucks to navigate. Within BIOS, Martian maybe able to help you out a bit more being closer to you.

If it was my computer, I'd replace the old PS and see if the Ethernet port works. Try to go back to your original hardware configuration so you can narrow down what the problem is. If it doesn't work with your old PS and no video card, then you might have lost the Ethernet adapter. If it does work with the old hardware, add the video card and see if the works. See if it's one or the other that is fucking with the Ethernet port. Could be an IRQ conflict or something else software related.

I'd try going back to orginal hardware specs and trouble shoot from there.

Also, if your port is dead, you are on your way to replacing a motherboard. Most of the time, when I see a port (ethernet, video, usb) on a motherboard go dead, the rest of the motherboard will slowly die. A PCI card will do you for a bit, but I'd be on the lookout for other parts going bad.

Baraka_Guru · 07-02-2011, 06:42 PM

Thanks, Eden. That helps a lot. Though, I admit I suck at the whole understanding of BIOS and IRQ and shit.

I had hoped to get a couple more years out of this motherboard, but if it's gonna go, then I guess I have no choice.

I have tried switching between two plug options for the four-prong one, but to no avail. I will try it once more just to be sure I had them sitting in there properly.

Failing that, maybe I will swap the PSU to see if I can get it to work. Though I don't see the point, since it's not suitable for this video card. It's only 350W. Maybe I won't even bother and just go with a separate network card for the $15.

I should probably but Martian a bit more first. I want to rule out this BIOS thing or any other system/software possibility. (Though my intuition and experience suggests to me it's a hardware thing.)

Yeah, and I double-checked Device Manager. I don't have a Network Adapters category listed, which is what I'm pretty sure is a part of the problem.

Martian · 07-02-2011, 06:55 PM

Maybe we can work out a time that I can come poke at it in person. If you're here next weekend you can bring it by, or else I'll come over there. Honestly, I'm not particularly hopeful, but there's a remote chance that a BIOS setting got flipped -- could be the CMOS battery is flat, and so when you disconnected it everything got screwed.

Baraka_Guru · 07-02-2011, 06:58 PM

Yeah, to be honest, I don't know what a BIOS or CMOS is.

I installed AIDA64 before I upgraded. I'm now looking at it. It says that my system BIOS is more than two years old and to update if necessary. I've never updated anything other than Windows and video card drivers.

Hektore · 07-02-2011, 07:12 PM

BIOS updates are no fun and should generally be avoided where possible. I would examine other possibilities first.

Martian · 07-02-2011, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Baraka_Guru

Yeah, to be honest, I don't know what a BIOS or CMOS is.

I'd explain if I thought you cared.

There's nothing wrong with flashing your BIOS, though it's certainly not a job for an amateur. It's not terribly likely to help in this situation, but we'll keep it in the back pocket.

I can swing by tomorrow or after work one day next week, but honestly I'd prefer not to -- you're a bit out of my way. Can you survive without networking on that machine until next weekend?

Baraka_Guru · 07-02-2011, 07:24 PM

Well, regardless of what happens, this is my last hurrah. I'm going to get the most out of this hardware before calling it quits with PC gaming.

Ultimately, I never really understood why I spend the money on it. This current PC of mine I bought purely for gaming. I almost didn't go through with it. I don't think I will be replacing it once it goes or gets too old. It may be especially the case now that I have a PS3.

I guess this is why I want the motherboard to be okay.

---------- Post added at 11:24 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:20 PM ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by Martian

I'd explain if I thought you cared.

There's nothing wrong with flashing your BIOS, though it's certainly not a job for an amateur. It's not terribly likely to help in this situation, but we'll keep it in the back pocket.

Considering what's happened, I doubt it has to do with the BIOS. But who knows? Like I said, I don't really know what it is or what it does. Though I'm a bit familiar with hardware conflicts and system buggery.

Quote:

I can swing by tomorrow or after work one day next week, but honestly I'd prefer not to -- you're a bit out of my way. Can you survive without networking on that machine until next weekend?

Don't go out of your way just for this. Although I was really looking forward to playing Age of Conan at setting higher than "low," I can wait. I still have Dragon Age, the Witcher, and L4D2 single player mode, not to mention about six titles I'm working on, on the PS3.

If you'd come over next weekend, that would be great. We can do our guitar thing once you take a few minutes to run through some troubleshooting.

Baraka_Guru · 07-03-2011, 09:42 AM

UPDATE:

I caved in and bought a USB wireless adapter. I'm posting this from my desktop PC now.

If the rest of my motherboard goes, I hope it happens around Christmastime.

Thanks for your help, regardless.

I'm now off to play Age of Conan.

Martian · 07-03-2011, 10:58 AM

If it's any comfort, the onboard NIC on my media centre went about a year ago, and it's still going strong. Sometimes it really is just one bad component.

Baraka_Guru · 07-03-2011, 12:52 PM

That's my hope.

Everything is now up and running. Age of Conan looks good, plus now I can play L4D2 both online and with rain effects.

07-02-2011, 05:10 PM	#1 (permalink)
Baraka_Guru warrior bodhisattva Super Moderator Location: East-central Canada	Installed a PSU and video card, but now my ethernet doesn't work So I got a couple of new toys for my birthday: a Corsair TX 650 and a Radeon HD 6850. I got both of them to go in and got them up and running, but now my integrated ethernet seems to have gone dead. I tried all the regular troubleshooting in Windows Vista. I tried rebooting my modem and router. I tried disconnecting and reconnecting the cables. I double checked all the power connections from the PSU. (Two are connecting to my board.) I checked Device Manager, but I can't seem to find the ethernet listed. As far as Windows is concerned, it can't seem to find it anymore. Under Windows Network Diagnostics, I get the error: "This computer does not have a network adapter installed and configured." When I go to Manage Network Connections, nothing shows up in the list; it's blank. At the jack itself, the light no longer shines. I don't know what else to do. I'm not very good at Windows backend stuff, so any walkthroughs or troubleshooting will be appreciated. I suppose at this point I have two suspicions: 1) the installation of the new PSU somehow fried the ethernet adapter. 2) the power coming from the PSU to the ethernet isn't working. There are two power cables connecting to the board. There is one on the far side that is a wide plug with various cables connecting to it, and another one near the back of the unit, close to the ethernet jack. This one is a smaller four-prong plug. I'm not sure what it's for, but I suspect it has something to do with the ethernet stuff. I could be wrong. Maybe it's for the processor. I don't know how motherboards typically work. I chatted a bit with Martian about this, but I suppose now I want to open this up to more suggestions. I think my worst-case scenario is dropping $15 on a PCI ethernet card to get the Internet going again. Of course, I want to exhaust all my options first. Thanks. __________________ Knowing that death is certain and that the time of death is uncertain, what's the most important thing? —Bhikkhuni Pema Chödrön Humankind cannot bear very much reality. —From "Burnt Norton," Four Quartets (1936), T. S. Eliot Last edited by Baraka_Guru; 07-02-2011 at 05:26 PM..

07-02-2011, 06:42 PM	#3 (permalink)
Baraka_Guru warrior bodhisattva Super Moderator Location: East-central Canada	Thanks, Eden. That helps a lot. Though, I admit I suck at the whole understanding of BIOS and IRQ and shit. I had hoped to get a couple more years out of this motherboard, but if it's gonna go, then I guess I have no choice. I have tried switching between two plug options for the four-prong one, but to no avail. I will try it once more just to be sure I had them sitting in there properly. Failing that, maybe I will swap the PSU to see if I can get it to work. Though I don't see the point, since it's not suitable for this video card. It's only 350W. Maybe I won't even bother and just go with a separate network card for the $15. I should probably but Martian a bit more first. I want to rule out this BIOS thing or any other system/software possibility. (Though my intuition and experience suggests to me it's a hardware thing.) Yeah, and I double-checked Device Manager. I don't have a Network Adapters category listed, which is what I'm pretty sure is a part of the problem. __________________ Knowing that death is certain and that the time of death is uncertain, what's the most important thing? —Bhikkhuni Pema Chödrön Humankind cannot bear very much reality. —From "Burnt Norton," Four Quartets (1936), T. S. Eliot Last edited by Baraka_Guru; 07-02-2011 at 06:48 PM..

07-02-2011, 06:55 PM	#4 (permalink)
Martian Young Crumudgeon Location: Canada	Maybe we can work out a time that I can come poke at it in person. If you're here next weekend you can bring it by, or else I'll come over there. Honestly, I'm not particularly hopeful, but there's a remote chance that a BIOS setting got flipped -- could be the CMOS battery is flat, and so when you disconnected it everything got screwed. __________________ I wake up in the morning more tired than before I slept I get through cryin' and I'm sadder than before I wept I get through thinkin' now, and the thoughts have left my head I get through speakin' and I can't remember, not a word that I said - Ben Harper, Show Me A Little Shame

07-02-2011, 06:58 PM	#5 (permalink)
Baraka_Guru warrior bodhisattva Super Moderator Location: East-central Canada	Yeah, to be honest, I don't know what a BIOS or CMOS is. I installed AIDA64 before I upgraded. I'm now looking at it. It says that my system BIOS is more than two years old and to update if necessary. I've never updated anything other than Windows and video card drivers. __________________ Knowing that death is certain and that the time of death is uncertain, what's the most important thing? —Bhikkhuni Pema Chödrön Humankind cannot bear very much reality. —From "Burnt Norton," Four Quartets (1936), T. S. Eliot

07-02-2011, 07:12 PM	#6 (permalink)
Hektore Junkie Location: Greater Harrisburg Area	BIOS updates are no fun and should generally be avoided where possible. I would examine other possibilities first. __________________ The advantage law is the best law in rugby, because it lets you ignore all the others for the good of the game.

07-03-2011, 09:42 AM	#9 (permalink)
Baraka_Guru warrior bodhisattva Super Moderator Location: East-central Canada	UPDATE: I caved in and bought a USB wireless adapter. I'm posting this from my desktop PC now. If the rest of my motherboard goes, I hope it happens around Christmastime. Thanks for your help, regardless. I'm now off to play Age of Conan. __________________ Knowing that death is certain and that the time of death is uncertain, what's the most important thing? —Bhikkhuni Pema Chödrön Humankind cannot bear very much reality. —From "Burnt Norton," Four Quartets (1936), T. S. Eliot

07-03-2011, 10:58 AM	#10 (permalink)
Martian Young Crumudgeon Location: Canada	If it's any comfort, the onboard NIC on my media centre went about a year ago, and it's still going strong. Sometimes it really is just one bad component. __________________ I wake up in the morning more tired than before I slept I get through cryin' and I'm sadder than before I wept I get through thinkin' now, and the thoughts have left my head I get through speakin' and I can't remember, not a word that I said - Ben Harper, Show Me A Little Shame

07-03-2011, 12:52 PM	#11 (permalink)
Baraka_Guru warrior bodhisattva Super Moderator Location: East-central Canada	That's my hope. Everything is now up and running. Age of Conan looks good, plus now I can play L4D2 both online and with rain effects. __________________ Knowing that death is certain and that the time of death is uncertain, what's the most important thing? —Bhikkhuni Pema Chödrön Humankind cannot bear very much reality. —From "Burnt Norton," Four Quartets (1936), T. S. Eliot