Ethernet Controller

[garystan]

Hi everybody :
My System : Windows 7 Professional 32-bit, 500 Gb Hard Drive, 3GB RAM.
GIGABYTE GA-z77-ds3h Mootherboard
Recently, my NVidia video died. I (safely) removed it. Then I had video on my monitor. But, I lost internet connection. I tried using the GIGABYTE Motherboard disk to re-install the Ethernet drivers. At first, I got the error message stating that it couldn't find the Ethernet Controller. So, I did a total re-install of Windows 7. But, I couldn't FORMAT the Hard Drive. So, apparently, this re-install just overwrote the previous install. Still the internet icon was red. I found (on the GIGABY.TE disk) the RealTek drivers. Apparentlly, I found the correct driver......but it referenced that a cable was unplugged. NOYE: When I tried to format the Hard Drive, I got the error message that I couldn't FORMAT the Hard Drive because it was in use. I went into MANAGEMENT but the FORMAT option was greyed out. In the Device Manager I had to select SHOW HIDDEN ITEMS (I forget the exact wording), and NETWORKING DID show . But, I couldn't install the Ethernet Drivers. In BIOS the LAN (switch) was ENABLED. Until I'm able to get my PC to the Geek Squad, I'm trying to figure this out. Advice ? garystan

 

[TerryNet]

Probably the ethernet died. Try using a USB ethernet adapter.

 

[TerryNet]

I should have added above that buying a USB ethernet adapter is less inconvenient than taking a desktop computer anywhere. And unless you are paying Best Buy a ton of money for some "warranty" contract the adapter will be considerably less expensive than any repair bill, even if some repair is possible.

 

[garystan]

I should have added above that buying a USB ethernet adapter is less inconvenient than taking a desktop computer anywhere. And unless you are paying Best Buy a ton of money for some "warranty" contract the adapter will be considerably less expensive than any repair bill, even if some repair is possible.

TerryNet :
Thanks for your reply. Greatly appreciated .
This USB Ethernet Adapter will "over-ride" the Ethernet chip on my Motherboard, correct ? In other words, the same way a video card will be used instead of the "onboard" video, right ? I'll be using the USB Ethernet adapter on my Desktop.
garystan

 

[TerryNet]

Disable the integrated ethernet in BIOS or Device Manager to assure it doesn't cause any problem.

 

[garystan]

Hi everybody :
I have another question about USB Ethernet Adapters. Even though the Ethernet Controller on my Gigabyte GA-Z77-DS3H Motherboard is "dead", I can still connect to the internet using a USB Ethernet Adapter, correct ? My System : Windows 7 Pro 32-bit, 500 Gb Hard Drive, 3 Gb RAM. garystan

 

[managed]

Yes a Usb Ethernet adapter should work fine.

You could fit an internal Ethernet Network card instead but that means opening the case.

 

[managed]

The internal card could be faster than a Usb adapter. What download speed are/were you getting ?

 

[garystan]

managed :
Sorry about being so repetitive. So.....the internal card would "over-ride the Ethernet Controller ( the same way a video card would over-ride the onboard video) Even though the Ethernet Controller IS dead, correct ? garystan

 

[TerryNet]

Just disable the integrated adapter in the BIOS or Device Manager and don't worry about any interference.

 

[managed]

Just disable the integrated adapter in the BIOS or Device Manager and don't worry about any interference.

Yes do as Terry said and your computer won't know the integrated adapter exists.

Do you know what speed your internet is ?

 

[garystan]

managed :
Unfortunately, I don't know what my speed is. Sorry. garystan

 

[managed]

That's ok. I remembered I actually have a Usb Ethernet adapter so I tried it and the connection was quite slow. Mind you it was a very cheap one ! That's why I mentioned an internal card might be faster.

 

[TerryNet]

I once had a USB 1.1 (12 Mbps) to Ethernet 10 Mbps adapter. Call it slow, but I still got my full 2 Mbps internet speed.

I now have a USB 3.0 (5 Gbps?) to Ethernet 10/100/1000 Mbps) adapter. Handles my 60 - 80 Mbps current internet speed.

My point: not all USB ethernet adapters have the same specs.

 

[garystan]

Hi everybody :
I'm still having this problem. I just purchased an Insignia USB Ethernet Adapter. Installed the drivers. Did al the connections. And I just have limited internet access. Apparently, USB Ethernet Adapters don't work I'm going to try an Ethernet Adapter Card. Hopefully, that'll work. P.S. I don't know how to configure a USB Adapter. garystan