disabling integrated NIC and using PCI-slot adapter

Question

The integrated NIC on my Dim 9100 is wacky. Not in a crazy fun way. In a 'don't work' way. I'm thinking about installing the refurbished motherboard Dell sent me. (Uhmm, why isn't it a brand new motherboard?) But now I'm thinking about just sticking a new ethernet card in a PCI slot. I've heard stories though that sometimes there's a conflict with this for some reason. So, do I just disable the integrated NIC in device manager?  Or do I also have to disable it in BIOS. (Someone please run down the steps to do that, if I need to.) Do I uninstall the driver? And if I do that, won't XP just reload it the next time I boot?

sirjv · Answer

I'm thinking about installing the refurbished motherboard Dell sent me. (Uhmm, why isn't it a brand new motherboard?)   - Is you computer with in 21 days? If not, they usually send refurb parts. It's better since they removed that from a working system and tested it completely. Unlike the new ones, once it's shipped, you won't know if something is wrong since it is still in a box.   About your integrated NIC. Just disable it in bios and install the PCI. Dim 9100 bios can be accessed by pressing F2 at the DELL logo. Then go to integrated devices and disable the NIC.

elmo lincoln · Answer

That went smoothly. Except I forgot I had a GeForce video card, tv tuner and a dial-up modem already in all three slots. Well, I didn't think the video card took up a PCI slot, actually. Anyway, removed the modem, popped in the new ethernet card, and I seem to be connected smoothly. I'm not too happy about Dell's help with all this. Described those woes in another thread. But I'm online. So, thanks.

Networking, Internet, & Bluetooth

disabling integrated NIC and using PCI-slot adapter

Was this post helpful?