Network card not detected

You will not get faster downloads if you connect through the ethernet port.  The cable modem has a maximum download speed of somewhere less than 3 Mbps.  The USB connection has a maximum speed of about 11 Mbps.  The ethernet connnection runs at 100 mbps.  So, as you can see, what limits the download speed is the cable modem, not the type of connection. 

As for getting your ethernet card to work, it would be helpful to know which model computer you have and whether or not the etherent card is an integrated card (built in to the motherboard) or if it is PCI card installed in one of the PCI slots.  Did it come with your computer or was it added afterward?  Does it show up in Device Manager?  Which version of Windows are you running?  If you can provide that information, we can probably help.

Steve

The 4550 should have come with an integrated network card.  Have you by any chance reinstalled Windows XP on this system?  If so, did you install the chipset drivers as the first drivers after the reinstallation of Windows?  In order for Windows to detect the device and install the proper drivers, the chipset drivers must be installed first.  Are there any problesm shown in device manager for any other devices?  Are you sure the network card is not listed in Device Manager - you need to click on the + sign next to Network Adapters in order to see it.

Steve

The Sufboard Cable Modem entry in Device Manager indicates you installed the software for the USB connection.  This is OK, but don't try to use the USB connection and the ethernet connection at the same time. 

The chipset drivers must be installed in order for Windows to recognize that you have an ethernet adapter integrated on the motherboard.  Therefore, you must install the chipset drivers before you can install the drivers for the ethernet adapter.

Steve

I too suffered the same problems.  Same background--Windows XP reinstalled following replacemenet of failed hard drive.  Device Drivers shows "yellow questionmarks" for Ethernet Controller, Multimedia Audio Controler, SM Bus Controller, and Video Controller (VGA compatible). 

My confusion here is are the "chipset drivers" and the ehternet controller drivers separate and distinct drivers?  Are the chipset drivers installed if the Ethernet Controller is detected yet is flagged with a yellow questionmark?  I tried installing/reinstalling the driver for the Ethernet Controller using every CD that indicated it has driver software but the system could not find the appropriate drivers. 

What's the next step, please . . . . . thanks . . . . .Joe

My confusion here is are the "chipset drivers" and the ehternet controller drivers separate and distinct drivers?   Yes, and if the chipset drivers are not installed before the other drivers, then it will be difficult if not impossible to install the drivers for the other devices. You can find all drivers for your system (you didn't tell us which model it is) by clicking on Product Support at the top of the Dell Forum Window, clicking on Downloads from the drop-down menu, then entering your service tag or model.

Steve

The chipset drivers are the drivers for the motherboard.  If the motherboard is not working properly because its drivers are not installed, then anything attached to the motherboard may not work either.  The motherboard may not be able to detect the devices properly, and without that, Windows may not be able to install the proper drivers.  If smbus congtroller is one of the flagged devices in Device Manager, it indicates that the chipset drivers are not installed.  The chipset drivers should be on the Dell resource CD, but can also be downloaded from

http://support.dell.com/support/downloads/type.aspx?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs&SystemID=DIM_P4_4600&category=27&os=WW1&osl=en&deviceid=3268&devlib=27

Once the chipset drivers are loaded, then try to install drivers for other devices, including the network card.  Once the chipset drivers are loaded then the drivers on the Resource CD should work.

Steve

Thanks for the prompt response, Steve.  You answered my first question (and maybe the others, but I'm not clear)

My confusion here is, are the "chipset drivers" and the ehternet controller drivers separate and distinct drivers?   You answered this one.

Are the chipset drivers installed if the Ethernet Controller is detected yet is flagged with a yellow questionmark?  This one is still unclear--how can I determine if the chipset drivers are installed? 

The computer on which I'm working is a Dimension 4600, purchased in August or 2003.  How can I determine which chipset drivers are appropriate--will the "latest" work?  (would service tag benefit answer to this question?)

Are the chipset drivers on the originally supplied CDs or do I need to download them?

I tried installing/reinstalling the driver for the Ethernet Controller using every CD that indicated it has driver software but the system could not find the appropriate drivers. Can you idendify the CD which would contain the Ethernet controller drivers (once I've loaded the chipset drivers)?

Thanks again

Thanks -- I think I got it this time -- and I'm glad I included the info about the SM bus being "yellow questionmarked" too as it seems to indicate that the chipset drivers are not "properly" installed.

I'll try from there .............

Joe