Need help with eternet card

How easy a choice it will be depends on the model computer you're trying to add the Ethernet card to. The issue is the type of expansion slots in the machine, and whether there are any empty ones.

The operating system's also a potential issue. What OS is it running?

If the machine's from Dell, can you post either the full Dell model or its service tag, and we can check. If it's not a Dell machine, you may need to open the machine's case and look at the available slots.

Jim

JIm,

Thanks for the response.

My system is a Dell Dimension XPS T500 with Win 98SE.  Service tag#B60MI.  I just purchased a Belkin Pci card, 32 bit.  Just installed it into an empty slot but didn't hook up the yellow cable it came with (it said that was an optional connection).  After it was installed, I turned on computer and was going to install the software, but my computer did not detect new hardware.  Went to website and they said to try to connect into different slot.  I did that and it still did not detect new hardware.  I am wondering if this card is even the right thing??????  Any suggestions?

According to the  specifications for the Dimension XPS T series expansion slots, there are four PCI expansion slots, and one combined PCI/ISA expansion slot. The PCI version listed is 2.1. So as long as the Belkin card's compatible with the 2.1 version of the PCI bus specification, it should work.

I wonder if the BIOS stored data needs to be reset in order for the card to be recognized. That's worth a try.  It's described here.

I assume the yellow cable is a Cat5 Ethernet cable with an RJ-45 connector on each end. You'll definitely need it, or another Ethernet cable, once the card's working and you're ready to connect the system to the rest of the network.

Jim

Jim,

Thanks so much for all your assistance.  I am not as knowledgeable about computers as you are but I'm trying to make sense out of it all.  The PCI card I installed says it's 2.2.  Could that be the problem?  The yellow cable I referred to is really a set of yellow wires that came with the card.  It said it was optional for WOL.  I'm not real clear on what that is either.  We did not connect those wires.  Is it possible my problem is the 2.2?  I called Belkin for help and they said they'd call back in 2-3 hrs.  Of course, that was 3 1/2 hrs ago!  Wouldn't you know, the technician said to get any ethernet card.  They're all the same!!

 

The PCI card I installed says it's 2.2. Could that be the problem?

I'm not sure whether 2.2 is backwards compatible with the 2.1 specification or not. I suspect it is, but perhaps Belkin will know...if they ever call back!

The yellow cable I referred to is really a set of yellow wires that came with the card. It said it was optional for WOL.

"WOL" stands for "Wake On LAN", and allows a specially formatted Ethernet packet to be sent to a machine that will cause the machine to start. The wires would connect to the motherboard of a machine that supports that feature. Even if your motherboard supports WOL, you don't need the feature. So leaving them off was the right thing to do.

Wouldn't you know, the technician said to get any ethernet card. They're all the same!!

Did you try resetting the BIOS data? If that doesn't resolve the problem, I'd be tempted to find another PCI Ethernet card from another vendor. I've had good luck with 3COM and Intel 10/100 Ethernet cards, but I haven't needed to buy any in several years.

Jim

Jim,

We will try with another ethernet card.  It doesn't look like we'll ever get in touch with Belkin.  After that, I'll try to figure out what the BIOS is all about.  Sounds a little confusing.  But I am willing to learn!

I really appreciate all your help!