Getting the internal NIC card to work

Question

I have a Dell Inspiron 8100 and I've lost the NIC card that plugs into the side, so I'm trying to get the one that's built in to the side near the right speaker to work. I went to the dell web site and looked for drivers for it and couldn't find any. Does anyone know what I have to do/download to get this thing to work?

Thanks

Ed C · Answer

It seems the 8100 uses a MiniPCI combo card for modem anb NIC. Look in the communication driver section of the download area. Also you might not have a MiniPCI combo card but only a MiniPCI modem. Some models were shipped with out the modem/NIC combo card. If you have the combo card why were you using the PC slot card NIC in the first place.

registered2post · Answer

tentonine : I installed the 3com drivers and that gave me a conflict error in the device manager and still no lights on the LAN jack on the side there, so uninstalled it and tried the Actiontec ones. This didn't come with any driver though, it just had a diagnostic program that didn't work anyway.

Ed C: I don't know why. The computer came with it, so I just plugged it in and that always worked. Now I want to use a USB 2.0 card to go in that slot (it takes up both slots) that connects to an external hard drive and be able to go on the internet.

Thanks for the help so far!

johnallg · Answer

Look here under the bottom cover and verify you have two cables going to the mini-PCI card - if only a 2-wire harness, then you have a modem-only card and thus that is why the notebook came with a PCMCIA NIC.

Ed C · Answer

Did you buy this notebook new or from Dell Auction, Dell on Ebay. The combo card is probably bad or only a modem. You can just buy a new combo card or a USB>Ethernet adapter or another PCMCIA slot card.

registered2post · Answer

EdC: I bought the laptop new from Dell about 2 years ago. I would really rather get this internal NIC card to work since I want to get my use out of the USB card I already have. I'm a poor college student so I'm short on cash. At any rate, do you know where I can get some information on this USB > Ethernet adapter you posted or getting anoter PCMCIA slot card?

johnallg: Well since I'm computer retarded and don't have a screw driver to fool around with taking apart the computer and I want to at least try everything to get this NIC card to work. It seems silly to put a jack that doesn't work on a computer.

Thanks again to those who posted.

Message Edited by registered2post on 04-19-2004 03:42 PM

Ed C · Answer

What John is suggesting is to LOOK and see IF you have a Network Interface Card. If there isn't one in the notebook you will never get it working. That's like trying to start a car that has NO engine.

It's only 2, maybe 3, screws that holds a small cover in place. Take the screws out and lift the cover.

johnallg · Answer

On my 4000 I can use a dime the slot in the screw is so wide.  If you don't look, you'll never know and most possible waste time.  The other option to you is if you bought the notebook in the US, log into the premiersupport.dell.com website, enter your Service Tag number, then look at the list of what your notebook was built with and see if it is the modem or the modem/NIC combo.

themetalman · Answer

John is right about looking at the cables.  If your notbook came with an external nic card then you probably just have a modem.  Dell will install both jacks even if there is just a modem installed, just the modem will be connected.  the cable for the nic will be laying loose.

johnallg · Answer

Ok then most 1300/Netgear problems were solved with the latest firmware update for the Netgear router, which is beyond your control.

Networking, Internet, & Bluetooth

Getting the internal NIC card to work

Was this post helpful?