nVidia nic problems

[derekblankmccoy]

Hello. This problem has happened to me before, and the only way its been fixed before its by waiting a couple of days.

I'm connected to a DSL line using a Netgear DG814 Router with 2 other PCs in the network. Im using the integrated nic on my MSI K7N2 Delta 2 (nForce 2 Ultra 400)
Basically, my connection cuts out randomly every 3 or 4 months, my ip changes to
169.254.118.175 and my subnet mask to 255.255, so its like it thinks its in a class B network.

At the moment, I had to install another nic, but I need the slot for my tv tuner, and its not fixing the problem.

Any help is appreciated
cheers.

 

[Bluestealth]

Try setting a static IP on the adapter... if that doesnt work I am not sure what to try... I got my brothers to work like this but later had to install a linksys adapter because it started getting CRC errors. You might need to get a usb adapter if no slots are free and the problem persists. Don't know about using them though or if there are any good usb ethernet adapters out there.
I am thinking of getting an NForce chipset for my next board but I have heard SUCH bad things about the onboard adapters...

 

[RebateMonger]

Originally posted by: derekblankmccoy
Basically, my connection cuts out randomly every 3 or 4 months, my ip changes to
169.254.118.175 and my subnet mask to 255.255, so its like it thinks its in a class B network.

Well, actually it's an APIPA (Automatc Private IP Address) range. It's assigned by Windows if there's NO other source of an IP address. In your case, it's presumably because your PC has either lost its connection to the DHCP server (the router), or the router is failing. Your post implies that ONLY a single PC has this recurring problem.

I've seen many cases where a single router port failed. Also, cables can fail. As can entire routers. As can NICS (but very, very, seldom).

If you want a quick fix, buy a new router and replace the cable going to that PC.

If you want to spend time troubleshooting, I'd re-flash the Router's Firmware (even if it's the latest version, STILL re-flash it). If you STILL have problems, try replacing the network cable. If you STILL have problems, connect the network cable to a different Router port. If you STILL have problems, it's probably the NIC in your PC. But I THINK you said you already tried that.

 

[derekblankmccoy]

Well, I put a PCI nic and it working fine, so its the integrated nVidia adapter. Is there a consistent problem with nVidia network adapters?

 

[JackMDS]

When they came out last year there was some problems with them. It seemed to disappear after the first few months with the later production Mobos.

Might be that you Mobo is an old production.

:sun:

 

[RebateMonger]

There have also been some reported problems with the LATEST Nvidia network adapter drivers. The EARLIER drivers don't have the same problem. I hate it when THAT happens.

 

[Pr0d1gy]

Mine has these kinds of problems too. The network just quits working from time to time, it's wierd. Mine would quit working despite the fact I was running a direct connection. There are some steps you can take to prevent it from happening though. Alas, it is late and I am falling asleep at my keyboard, but I will report back tomorrow with a full walkthrough on how to set this up.

 

[Pr0d1gy]

OK here goes, sorry about the wait:

Here are some solutions I have used & I would do it in this order (it is a good idea to reset your modem at some point in the process as well but I forgot to add it):

1) Manual XP Netwrok repair. Go to Start>Control Panel> Network & Internet> right click on the Ethernet connection & click REPAIR. I usually run AsAware or SpyBot before doing this just to be safe.

2) Make sure your settings are correct. (If you use Internet Explorer) Right click on your Internet icon on your Desktop. Click Internet Properties. Go to the tab on the far right & reset to your defaults, then go reset your web settings in the tab 2 slots over to the left (I'm using Firefox now so I forget the names of the tabs). Also go into LAN Settings in the Connections tab and make sure none of the 3 boxes have been checked. Now try the repair again.

3) Check Hardware Manager. Go to Start> right click My Computer> click Properties> click Hardware> click Device Manager> click View> Click Resources by type> Click the 3rd plus mark (IRQ) and see if your network card is sharing it's IRQ number with another piece of hardware. If it is, right click the other item & click uninstall. This will uninstall the device & ask to reboot the computer, click yes to reboot here. When the computer reboots the unistalled device will be reinstalled and you will be asked to reboot. It is not necessary to do so & I usually don't. Do the repair now.

*While in Hardware Manager it is a good idea to click on Network Adapters. Right click nVidia nForce Networking Controller> click Properties> click Power Management> uncheck any boxes with check marks in them. Now click the Advanced tab & change Checksum offload from enabled to disabled.

 

[nycgeoff]

Just wanted to add aother potential fix - I'm running XP64 on an nforce mobo, updated the drivers yesterday to 6.69, and today I couldn't get a DHCP lease from my onboard NIC. Other computers worked fine.

Rolling back to the 6.25 ethernet drivers fixed the problem.

Serves me right for updating drivers that weren't broken.