Network card installation, for the Hardware illiterate

[Ripsnort]

Hiyas, hardware is not my best subject, however, I purchased a network card 10/100 and before I install it, anything I need to know?  Advanced thanks!

[Westy]

 Some late model 3COM cards need you to do a software pre-install, hardware compatabilty setup on your PC. Then you do a  shut down, install card and let Windows detect, etc..etc..etc..
 
 Otherwise usually very simple and error free. As long as you have all the info you need to fill in your network settings before hand. It's easier to fill it in when prompte,d than come back later and edit the whole sheebang.

  -Westy



[This message has been edited by Westy (edited 09-25-2000).]

[Eagler]

Rip
Watch ur IRQ's. I had a conflict when I put my NIC in the wrong slot as it shared with my ATA 66 controller on my Abit board. If it's just an exchange for an existing one, this shouldn't be an issue.
Good Luck
Eagler

[Ripsnort]

Thanks gus,
Eagler, watch the IRQ's?  Hmm, more illiterate than I thought!  I spend way too much time debugging CAD/CAM software  

[bloom25]

You shouldn't have a problem Rip.  The only thing that I would advise is to avoid using PCI slot 1.  (It's the one nearest the AGP video card slot.)  On most boards this slot is set up to share an interupt (IRQ) with the AGP slot, so unless you are adding a second video card you won't want to use it.  (Unless you are feeling brave or have no other choice.)



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bloom25
THUNDERBIRDS

[qts]

Your query is a little vague!

Is it a PCI card or ISA? UTP, BNC, or FDDI? Which OS do you run - W95, W98, or W2000? Which brand is the card?

Assuming PCI, UTP, W95/98, and 3Com or Intel...

First off, copy the drivers from the floppy or CD to somewhere on the HDD. Not only will this make reinstalls easier, it lets you know that you don't have duff media!

Second, open up the machine and put the card in a free slot. PCI allows IRQ sharing but not all cards support it - especially if it's sharing with the AGP slot. Check your motherboard manual for the best slot.

When you restart Windows it should detect the card and ask for the drivers. Point Windows to where you copied the drivers.

Robert is NOT now your mother's brother.

Go into Start, Settings, Control Panel, Network and add in network clients, protocols, and services as necessary. When adding File and Print Sharing, make sure that it is turned OFF for your Internet connection.

If you use TCP/IP you will need to set up an IP address, a host name, and a subnet mask.

If you use IPX be sure to explicitly set the frame type - Auto does not always work properly.

There are some other issues (DHCP, duplexing...), but they are unlikely to be of interest to the home networker. Feel free to ask, though.

If you're going to participate in LAN meets, then be sure to turn Browse Mastering off.

Now you're set.