Installing 2 NIC cards - How To

[trismegistus]

Hi

I have a new PC into which I installed 2 Network Cards. One is an Intel 10/100 Ethernet, the other is a Belkin Wireless Ethernet NIC.

I am running windows 2000 pro, the Intel card is fine and it can see the Belkin card, but reports it (Belkin) as having a problem.

Can anybody walk me through the process of getting both NIC cards active at the same time, if this is the problem. I have the drivers installed for the Belkin card, and plenty of interrupts available too, but it won't come alive.

Any other possible tips, explanations more than welcome.

 

[MontrealSoft]

To help you, we need to know what is the device status in device manager...

Go to Device Manger (right click on my computer, properties, hardware, device manager)

Find your network card on Network adapter, and double click on it.

Tell us what is in Device status.

Martin MontrealSoft.com

http://www.montrealsoft.com

 

[trismegistus]

Hi

The status in Device Manager is:

This device is not functioning as it has a problem.

The error code is 10. Thats the best i can do for now as i am at work.

 

[MontrealSoft]

The most common cause of this error message is a bad or
incompatible device driver. Check to find the lastest driver for your network card. Use the manufacturer's driver if possible.

MontrealSoft.com

http://www.montrealsoft.com

 

[trismegistus]

I'm using the drivers from Belkin that came with the card. The card is in the System Dialog, but it has this code 10 problem.

I did however notice it isn't on the HCL and no updated drivers are available from Belkin, so back to the shop it goes...

 

[MontrealSoft]

If you change, try to go with D-Link or 3com...
MontrealSoft.com

http://www.montrealsoft.com

 

[terryISO]

Yes. The D-Link wireless card is excellent. I have a couple of W2K PCs here with two network cards (Realtek 100M LAN and D-Link Wireless. They all worked first go.

Also, The D-Link cards seem to have a much better range than any of the other wireless cards I have here.

Sitecom and SMC wireless cards work OK in my twin card systems, but the range is not so good, signal strength reading and throughput are lower.

 

[trismegistus]

It just gets better with Belkin. I rang their technical assistance and was told to move the card to another slot. If this fails I should return my PC to the manufacturer and get them to upgrade the CMOS.

Now, this is odd advice, because when I pick up a box that says

"sets up easily under windows 2000"

and

"installs with plug and play convenience"

I don't interpret this as "sets up easily, just requires a return to base and CMOS upgrade, with you paying for the pick-up, delivery and service"

The final and possibly most amusing bit is yet to come. We distribute Belkin products in the UK, and so get visits from Belkin representatives all the time. I had a similar problem with a Cisco product a while ago (not wireless), and did I enjoy asking their representative how they expected me to talk up a product that simply doesn't do what it says on the box.

 

[bcastner]

You might try:

1. Under Device Manager uninstall both cards.
2. Remove the Intel board from the machine
3. Configure as if new the Belkin adapter.
4. No put the Intel back in, but in a different slot than before.
5. Reconfigure the Intel as if new.

Also, check that in BIOS you have bus mastering enabled for the slot the Belkin is in, if such an option is available.