Broadcom 440x problems - will not runat 100mb

Question

Hi, we have a number of dimension 2400's with the integrated 440x broadcom controller running windows XP service pack 2 and a static IP address to a Netgear 10/100 switch.   They're are all on the latest version of the broadcom drivers and I've tried re-installing them already.   3 of them will not connect to the Netgear switch at 100mb  properly.   2 simply won't 'link up' and the 100mb link light keeps flashing on and off - but they will run at 10mbs!!.   1 connects at 100mb but runs even slower than an old 2400 baud modem and even though it works at 10MB it's still nowhere near as quick as the other 10MB machines.   I've checked all the cables with a tester and they're absolutely all perfect straight through cat 5 network cables.   I can't figure it out - anyone got a handle on this ?   Thanks.

BigBrother · Answer

surferman2, How long are the cat5 cables between the computers and the switch?  Do they run parallel or near to any power cords or flourescent lamps? Steve

surferman2 · Answer

Differing lengths but none more than about 5-10 metres. 1 crosses over some power at a right angle but the other two are no where near power...

inSOMNiak · Answer

Have you tried using this switch before?   If not, you could try using a different switch or hub.  This could help you determine if the problem is being caused by a faulty switch.   Also, did you try upgrading the Netgear firmware (if there are any)?

Greg C · Answer

I am having the same problem on a newly delivered 8400 with Broadcom Gigabit Ethernet.  I am connected to one of the Ethernet ports on a Linksys wireless router.  When it is set to automatically select the speed it sets it at 10Mb half duplex.  It will also work when I force it to 10Mb full duplex.  When I try to set it for 100Mb half or full duplex it reports that the network cable is disconnected.  I know the router is working properly because other computers can connect at 100Mb and I have tested the cable on other computers.  Any suggestion before it try tech support.

blallmon · Answer

I also have an 8400 with Broadcom Gigabit Ethernet that is having problems connecting to the network. I have a database program that runs on a server in the office. The 8400 Client Software for the Database in my office cannot stay connected to the server. I first thought it was the OnBoard Broadcom Ethernet so I installed an Intel Gigabit Ethernet NIC to see if the problem would be eliminated - It wasn't - problem persisted. The Intel NIC has a cable test feature in it's software which states a cable failure? I then moved the 8400 Problem computer to another location and tried a different ethernet port/cable (This port was being successfully used by another identical 8400 without problems) - same response - Database Software still cannot stay connected. Since the 8400 fails on the second port also and the other identical computer works fine - I am a little stumped.

I uninstalled the drivers the NIC's and reinstalled with no luck. I am currently doing a fresh install of Windows XP PRO to see if that corrects the problem.

Any other suggestions?

surferman2 · Answer

The switch works on some computers at 100MB - so I've tried them on different ports but it makes no difference...   From what I've seen this is a fairly common problem..I think most broadcom 440x problems in this forum and on the web seem to be related somehow.

BigBrother · Answer

surferman2,

Run the broadcom diags on your NIC card:

http://search.dell.com/results.aspx?cat=sup&subcat=dyd&c=us&l=en&s=dhs&cs=19&k=R78500.EXE

Then try to load the latest driver from Dell which can be found at this link:

http://search.dell.com/results.aspx?cat=sup&subcat=dyd&c=us&l=en&s=dhs&cs=19&k=R78655.EXE

See if installing the latest driver makes any difference. The diags can help you identify potential problems with the NIC, too.

Steve

surferman2 · Answer

Thanks for replying everyone. I'm on the latest drivers and the diagnostics reveal no issues on my card or cable.   It's a mystery!!

blallmon · Answer

I finished reinstalling the System Software this weekend on my troubled 8400 with Gigabit as described in the previous message. All problems have been eliminated!!! All network connections work great.

Jeremy Nichols · Answer

My Dimension 2350's Broadcom 440x integrated network controller stopped working after I installed a Hauppauge WinTV-PVR 150 "personal video recorder." The TV thing worked fine but my computer would no longer access my home network. The other computers (a Dimension 2400 and an old Lattitude XPi laptop running Win98) could see each other but not the 2350 (this was especially bad since the Internet connection and both printers connect through the 2350).

I de-installed the Hauppauge software and removed the card; no help. Next, I downloaded and installed the latest (v.3.03) version of the Broadcom advanced control suite. When I ran the diagnostics, the internal memory test failed. This sounds like a hardware failure. Anyone disagree? Is it worth sending to Dell to repair, are there any other options, should I throw the thing away and get a new machine? All of the slots are in use so I can't substitute a pci network card.

Networking, Internet, & Bluetooth

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