Please help me with my NIC

[gamerater]

My comp came with a NIC and ive updated to the most recent driver and it doesnt work. Theres CAT5 ethernet wire that is connected to it but the lights wont turn on plz help. I have a cable modem and i want it to use my NIC instead of my USB slot

[Warlord2]

if you can, try a nother nic

Ive had 2 died on me when the light wasnt working

I think even if the drivers are installed you should still get a light when you plug in the cat5

[Christoph]

Did you terminate the cable yourself? If so, you might not have done it properly. The NIC lights should go on if it's plugged in (w/ or w/o drivers) to a cable attached to another comp.

[pcgirl]

Yeah, I'd make sure the cable is working properly. I've found it helpful to invest in a network cable tester...

[Christoph]

Originally posted by pcgirl
Yeah, I'd make sure the cable is working properly. I've found it helpful to invest in a network cable tester...

If you've just got a home network between 2-4 comps, recheck the cables before you get a tester (unless you can borrow one or have one lying around). I remember spending most of a week trying to figure out what the problem with my home network was when all I needed to do was reterminate the cables properly. I'm glad I didn't have a 2x4 around when I finally figured it out.

[gamerater]

i dont have a home network i just want it to use my cable modem

[Christoph]

As long as there's a CAT5 jack in the back of the modem and a properly terminated cable running from the comp to the modem, you chould have no problems.
With the computer on, try unplugging the modem and plugging it back in. Make sure your TCP/IP settings are configured like your ISP says. Hope that helps a little.

[Rick G]

I think you need a crossover cable for a direct connection to the cable modem. Make sure you have the right type of cable.

[Christoph]

Originally posted by Rick G
I think you need a crossover cable for a direct connection to the cable modem. Make sure you have the right type of cable.

Nope.
When I need to troubleshoot my internet connection, I plug my NIC directly into the modem instead of through the router, and it works fine with a normal cat5 cable.

[Rick G]

I stand corrected. "WAN" ports from routers or hubs do the crossover meaning you only need a patch cable.