[melissalynne7]

This morning I turned on my computer and once Windows loaded I got a message saying it had found new hardwarem which was the ethernet controller (I haven't added any hardware recently). I went through the regular routine of searching for a driver and it said it could not find software. So I went to the internet and it was not working. In device manager I saw the yellow exclamation mark next to ethernet controller.
Thinking my Ethernet card was bad I bought a new one tried to install the driver...same problem. I tried a different PCI slot...same problem.
I updated my NVidia GEForce 7600 GS drivers, my VIA chipset. I'm not sure what else to do.
My specs are:
Windows XP Pro
Intel Pentium 4 2.00Ghz
VIA Motherboard
Award P4X266-8233 Bios
1 GB Ram
Nexxtech 10/100 Ethernet PCI card

Please help, I'm running out of ideas.

 

[idowindows]

"tried to install the driver" - did you succeed?

 

[melissalynne7]

no, even after I specified the location it told me it could not find the software on my computer. I then copied the driver from the cd onto my HD and still the same message.

 

[winbob]

Melissa,

Are you SURE that you provided the correct PATH to the Driver file on the CD? Likewise when you copied it to the HD, did you provide the correct PATH?

 

[melissalynne7]

Yes I provided the correct path, I have tried it several times and each time it tells me that it cannot find the software.

With everything I have tried I am wondering if I will have to update my BIOS...any thoughts?

 

[winbob]

I see no reason too believe that a BIOS update is going to solve your problem....and I for one would not do it just to do it!!!

Does your MOBO have an onboard NIC that you can try??

Also, did the NEW card get recognized CORRECTLY when you installed it and booted?

I'm still suspicious about the new card's driver software not being found. That doesn't make sense to me.

 

[melissalynne7]

I'm not sure about my motherboard. The new card was not recognized when I booted up and I switched PCI slots and still it wasn't recognized. I just get the message that it found new hardware, the ethernet controller, and when I try to install drivers it tells me that it cannot find the software.

How do I find out if my motherboard has a built in NIC?
The link below has the specification of my MOBO...

http://www.soyo.com.tw/products/proddesc.php?id=109

 

[stevecook]

You could try removing the card from the slot, uninstalling all your ethernet controller stuff from device manager - then reboot with no card in - then shut down, fit the new card and try reinstalling from scratch.

 

[Rich-M]

Board definitely has a 10/100 ethernet card built in...try that but check the bios to be certain it is enabled first.

 

[idowindows]

Here's the link to all the drivers avail for that mobo (http://www.soyo.com.tw/downloads/selectresults.php?language=&col1=Motherboard&col2=109&col3=Driver) which is now discontinued..

I found the NIC vendor's site (Nexxtech) for drivers and it was rather dissapointing they didn't YET offer all drivers to their products (http://www.nexxtech.com/nexxtech_usa.html)

I'm not sure, as WinBob asked, that the proper path is being selected....