Internet Connection gone on the blink

Belly · 11 Jun 2014 at 12:36

Hi There...

Yesterday afternoon my connection was working OK, then in evening (fresh boot up) it went on the blink.

I'm using Virgin with their superhub connected by ethernet cable.

There had been a problem with Virgin and their site was down until 2300 hrs. I tried to connect after that but couldn't. I phoned Virgin they said to try in the morning. I still can't connect. I have phoned them!

My Desktop computer will NOT connect. It does NOT have a wireless card hence the reason for using ethernet.

When I check > Control Panel > Network Connections the page is blank.

My laptop (what I'm using now with ethernet) does show network connections two lines of type.

The guy from Virgin got me to change ethernet cables etc. His diagnosis is that the Network Adaptor might be at fault.

A google search suggested a missing driver. I've looked in Device Manager and I can't see an Ethernet Device.

Taking the side panel off the computer suggests to me that the adaptor is attached to the Asus P5k SE/EPU mother board (one piece?) and if the adaptor is knackered I'd have to replace the whole motherboard. Would that be correct?

There has to be a problem with the desktop either software - no driver, or perhaps hardware with the adaptor?

Has anyone else had such problems and could someone please give me some advise?

Steveocee · 11 Jun 2014 at 12:58

My older Asus P5N's ethernet went on the blink and did the same as this. You don't need to replace the whole board, just buy one of the cheapy TP-Link gigabit adapters and it'll come up as new (r buy a wireless adapter).

Duke · 11 Jun 2014 at 13:30

As above, just need to buy a network card, e.g PCI-e gigabit one would be best and don't cost much.

Belly · 11 Jun 2014 at 13:42

Excellent! Thanx to both of you.

I'll order the 3269 which has drivers included.

I'm still NOT convinced that Virgin didn't have some part in the problem as the only time I've had difficulties was following one of their "close downs".

Unfortunately I can't find the ethernet hardware on the system and the drivers (back-up) supplied with the computer are jumbled up, so I can't see the wood for the trees.

Certainly a separate adaptor is the way forward.

Thanx again - my wallet can sigh with relief!

Steveocee · 11 Jun 2014 at 14:24

In my experience, if you call Virgin and tell them theres a problem, even if there isn't they acknowledge one. If you're running W7> you shouldn't need to worry about installing drivers as the Windows ones will usually suffice.

Duke · 11 Jun 2014 at 18:40

Probably worth disabling the onboard network card in the BIOS if you know how. It should be listed under onboard devices.

Belly · 12 Jun 2014 at 16:29

Thanx Duke - I haven't got a clue how to disable the card in the BIOS, could you please give a quick idiot's guide, I'd really appreciate it.

I know on my previous computer I had to alter it to boot from the CD drive but that was more than ten years ago.

Thanx

Belly · 12 Jun 2014 at 17:26

It's interesting to note that there was a thunderstorm during the period when I had the computer turned off. There was one very load thunderclap which actually woke me up from a slumber.

The wife spoke to a lady at work who lives near us and she stated that the thunderclap hit one of the local shops (about 250 metres from us, much less from where the lady lives). The lady said that their Virgin Cable Socket on the inside wall was sizzling and they lost all Virgin facilities: broadband, phone and TV....

We didn't loose our phone connection and we get out TV from Sky.

I still have a sneaking suspicion that it was Virgin's equipment which caused the problem.

I've never heard it suggested that the ethernet cable be disconnected from computer.

I suppose it is for consideration that an electric charge could travel back along the cable and knacker someones equipment?