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Hardware => Hardware => Topic started by: Flame on May 29, 2005, 09:35:22 AM

Title: Ethernet Card Setup Question...
Post by: Flame on May 29, 2005, 09:35:22 AM
Hey! I just bougth a Linksys Etherfast 10/100 PCI Network Adapter, and I am getting ready to install it... I looked at the manual, and understand all but one thing... After you insert the card into the PCI slot, and close the case, it wants you to plug the Ethernet cable into the card... Is this necessary for setup? Sorry if this is hard to follow!

[glb]Flame[/glb]
Title: Re: Ethernet Card Setup Question...
Post by: Flame on May 29, 2005, 09:38:46 AM
This might be easier... This comes straight from the manual...

E. Replace your PC's cover
F. Connect one end of a Ethernet cable to your PC at the 10/100 LAN Card's RJ-45 port.
G. Plug the other end of the cable into an open port on your hub, switch, DSL Modem, cable modem, or router.

My question is, do I need to plug the modem into the Ethernet port for it to setup the card? (I am not looking to use my modem off Ethernet, but USB just for now... I will be using Ethernet for the future router)

[glb]Flame[/glb]
Title: Re: Ethernet Card Setup Question...
Post by: Raptor on May 29, 2005, 10:41:05 AM
Assuming you are using Windows XP:

It will detect and install the NIC regardless of wheter there is a network cable present or not.

Pre-Windows XP OS will most likely only detect and not install the Network Interface Card.
Title: Re: Ethernet Card Setup Question...
Post by: Flame on May 29, 2005, 10:47:02 AM
Yes, I am uning Windows XP Home. So you think I can waive the cable hook-up for now? Also, I thought this was Plug-and-Play, but it came with a CD, and the driections say to insatll drivers from the CD...

[glb]Flame[/glb]
Title: Re: Ethernet Card Setup Question...
Post by: Raptor on May 29, 2005, 11:50:31 AM
There are several options you have when installing drivers:

1. Use (often) outdated drivers that come on either Diskette or CD-ROM
2. Obtain the latest drivers from the manufacturer their page.
3. Allow Windows to auto-detect and auto-install the hardware component.
-- These often seem to be WDM drivers.
4. Allow Windows Update to detect the hardware component and suggest drivers.

I prefer option #2 whenever possible.
Title: Re: Ethernet Card Setup Question...
Post by: Flame on May 29, 2005, 04:09:33 PM
I see.... But you don't think I need the cable to be inserted when I set it up, right?

[glb]Flame[/glb]
Title: Re: Ethernet Card Setup Question...
Post by: Raptor on May 30, 2005, 09:15:40 AM
The Ethernet cable does not need to be connected when installing Network Interface Card drivers.

It does not even have to be connected when configuring Windows for your network.
Title: Re: Ethernet Card Setup Question...
Post by: Flame on May 30, 2005, 09:29:22 AM
Thanks!  ;D

[glb]Flame[/glb]
Title: Re: Ethernet Card Setup Question...
Post by: Raptor on May 30, 2005, 09:33:58 AM
No problem.

However, it would be interesting to know wheter it makes a difference or not when you leave the Ethernet cable connected during installation..
Title: Re: Ethernet Card Setup Question...
Post by: Flame on May 30, 2005, 09:35:13 AM
I'll try without the cable first... If I nned it, then I'll let you all know what happens... Thanks again!

[glb]Flame[/glb]
Title: Re: Ethernet Card Setup Question...
Post by: Flame on May 30, 2005, 07:58:50 PM
Ok. Raptor... Becuase you were curious... lol  ;)  No, I did not need to insert the cord for installation... All I had to do was insert the card, let the XP Setup Wizard detect it (plug-and-Play), and then update the drivers from the CD that Linksys gave me... That's it! Thanks for the help!

[glb]Flame[/glb]
Title: Re: Ethernet Card Setup Question...
Post by: Raptor on May 31, 2005, 06:21:13 AM
No problem, Flame.
Title: Re: Ethernet Card Setup Question...
Post by: Flame on May 31, 2005, 07:59:10 AM
Just for the other computer users out there who might be wondering... This Linksys Etherfast Ethernet Adpater works like a dream! If you're looking for a great Ethernet card, buy this one! (The model of the card is a  LNE100TX    )

[glb]Flame[/glb]