is it me being stupid ? or technical support !

Question

hi all, ok, deep breath :) inspiron 1300... problem... each time the laptop is booted the onboard NIC (broadcom 440) only shows up occasionally in Device Manager... when it doesn't show up it doesn't work (no internet)... when it DOES show up it DOES work but only for about 10-20 mins then the pc locks up - but when the NIC DOESN'T show up in Device Manager OR if i disable the (onboard) NIC in the BIOS the pc runs fine indefinitely...   next step... to eliminate a windows problem... if i run the onboard Dell Hardware Diagnostics (F12 at bootup) and go to Custom Test, there is an option to test the Network Interface... this option only appears there sometimes in the same way that it only appears in Device Manager sometimes - if it is there and i run the diagnostic for it it will Pass Ok until the pc has been running for approx 10-20 mins after which time the pc will just lock up if you try to run the test - it will also often lock up if you tap the laptop lightly whilst running the test -   now am i being stupid or is this clearly a motherboard hardware problem (NIC is onboard)? i've spent over 2hrs getting nowhere with warranty technical support giving me ridiculous solutions- they now won't go any further unless i completely format the hard-drive (which i really don't want to do) in case there is a problem with the windows setup and 'simulaneously an error or corruption in the Dell Diagnostics software coincidentally showing the same problem' as they think from what i have described it is unlikely to be a hardware problem   any suggestions? many thanks in advance! andy

volcano11 · Answer

This looks like a hardware problem to me!   Steve

mombodog · Answer

'- it will also often lock up if you tap the laptop lightly whilst running the test -   in case there is a problem with the windows setup and 'simulaneously an error or corruption in the Dell Diagnostics software coincidentally showing the same problem' as they think from what i have described it is unlikely to be a hardware problem'     They are nuts, its hardware. corruption in two different softwares causing the exact same problem. You are more likely to win the Lottery 3 times in a row.     This is the same tap test used for Automobile computers for the last 25 years, to determine hardware problems.       Message Edited by mombodog on 12-20-200609:41 PM

jmwills · Answer

It could be nothing more than a corrupt driver for that NIC too.  Unistall the NIC, reboot and let the system find the driver, or better yet, force the new driver on the card after the reboot.

andy20002000 · Answer

'It could be nothing more than a corrupt driver for that NIC too.  Unistall the NIC, reboot and let the system find the driver, or better yet, force the new driver on the card after the reboot.'   hi there, it can't be just a corrupt driver or it wouldn't be failing in the dell hardware diagnostic - windows is not even loaded when this is running - also a corrupt driver cannot cause the laptop to lock up when you tap it with your finger- got a bit firther with technical today - they are sending someone out to replace the motherboard tomorrow ! hurray! thanks all, andy

Networking, Internet, & Bluetooth

is it me being stupid ? or technical support !

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