Home networking . . . Can't OVERCLOCK!!

[Boy914]

Hi.

My roommate and I are sharing a Cable connection using a Netgear RP114 router that we got for $80 after MIR. He is on the first port on a 6 foot cable, and I have been trying all of the other ports using a 50 foot cable.

The problem is, it takes me an average of 3 cold boots for me to get connected to the router. When it doesn't connect, the port lights either turn on and then off, or don't turn on at all. This is a brand new computer (Epox 8K7A+, 1.2 GHz AXIA, 256MB DDR, on-board sound), and when I try to raise the FSB just a tad, I can't connect at all.

Here are my guesses:
-My network card is 3 years old, and was cheap when I got it. It's time to get a new one. <- HOWEVER, once I connect, everything works fine, and my speeds are outstanding.
-There is a device conflict. <- I've moved the card to every free PCI slot on my board (there are 4 free), and I get the same thing on every one.
-There is a problem associated with using a 50 ft. cable. <- This seems weak, but I haven't been able to test it yet, so it could be the case. I did replace the cable once, so I'm pretty sure it's not defective.

I asked Netgear tech support, and all they suggested was new firmware, which was of course the first thing I tried.

So, which of these theories sound most plausible? Any other ideas?

Thanks!
Rick

[Thelemac]

You network cable actually might be bad. Or you card is old. Probably one of the two there.

[Pinky]

I can't remember how far that cabling can go before the signal degrades.

[Thelemac]

Originally posted by Pinky
I can't remember how far that cabling can go before the signal degrades.

You get 100 M or 312 Ft. 5 M between hubs.

[Boy914]

So, any other ideas?

[rugby]

Well, being someone who installs cat-5 cable daily I would check the physical connectivity being the cable and the nic. Try wiggling the cable in both the switch and the nic and see what happens with the lights.

[Wa11y]

Try swapping the NIC if you can. Some PCI cards don't like having a higher FSB, and don't work right.

[eobard]

Here's a fast and free idea, swap network cables on the two machines. I agree that the cable is not too likely to be the problem but if you put the cables on the opposite machines and then yours works but the other one doesn't then you know the cable is the problem.

Good luck.

[lennytiger]

get a new NIC

[Boy914]

Ok. I did some testing and I'm pretty sure my NIC is ready to go. Anyone have a suggestion on what to buy? I have PC2400 ram, so I need something that can go up to 150FSB (or at least 145)

Thanks!

[lennytiger]

Crucial RAM is good although I'm not sure thats your prob.

Try clocking your comp to it actual speed see what happens then

[Thelemac]

It's just going to depend on your NIC...they're all different. Most of the new ones are pretty good for fast speeds. :)

[lennytiger]

buy two of exactly the same nics and stick them in your pcs then try make sure they are PCI 10/100 ones...

[Boy914]

Ok, any brand suggestions? Come on, guys, I'm far too lazy to do any actual research. SPOON FEED ME!!!!

Seriously, thanks.
Rick

[Thelemac]

Originally posted by Boy914
Ok, any brand suggestions? Come on, guys, I'm far too lazy to do any actual research. SPOON FEED ME!!!!

Seriously, thanks.
Rick

I usually go with Dlink or Netgear. 3com is good, too, though way overpriced.

[Chezanova]

Dlink, AOpen.. affordable.. does its job.

one thing you might wanna watch for is data corruption.

sometimes installing NIC over and over and getting the same error can corrupt further installations. try removing NIC.. removing protocols( TCP/IP, what-have-you's ),Clients(Microsoft client for networks, etc). reboot

shutdown , install NIC.. if windows picks it up and installs it without any problem, then you're good to go. if not, then proceed with caution.. back your crucial datas and files first.

my bad experience with the latter killed my drive partition. and i didn't back anything up... good thing I had Norton Rescue..

Windows PNP.. grrrrr:mad:

[pii100]

netgear fa311 a good 10/100 nic that has good drivers also its about 10 dollars and you get good phone support free 24/7(i belive)