Slow Networking 4600C Computers

Question

I was wondering if anyone has had extremely slow response using the Broadcom 4401 internal NICs on Dell Dimension 4600C. I have had periodic slow response over the last 18 months but liveable, I assumed network load caused it. 10 days ago, most of my 4600C became so slow as to be unusable on the network, they seem to work if you wait long enough. I have tried Broadcom's diagnostics and they pass fine but response still doesn't cut it. Today I tried turning off the internal NIC and replacing it with an external USB NIC, response was restored so I am thinking I have a bunch of bad NICs.   Is this common for this machine? I am sure that Dell is not going to want to replace some 50 motherboards to fix this network problem..Has anyone seen similiar problems??

jmwills · Answer

Forget the diagnostic test, did you have the most current XP driver installed?

Mike Johnson · Answer

I believe that I have resolved it to the 4401 network card/chip on the motherboard. I can put in another NIC with all other things being equal and that fixes it. Now I am working on convincing Dell. They did send me a new motherboard but it exhibited the same problems. Sloooooow response, add USB or PCI NIC, problem goes away...

I think the problem may exist in various degrees all thru this product line..who knows.

Networking, Internet, & Bluetooth

Was this post helpful?