Ethernet Card Setup Question...

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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!

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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)

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[Raptor]

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.

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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...

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[Raptor]

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 Use (often) outdated drivers that come on either Diskette or CD-ROM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.

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I see.... But you don't think I need the cable to be inserted when I set it up, right?

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[Raptor]

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.

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Thanks!  

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[Raptor]

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..

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I'll try without the cable first... If I nned it, then I'll let you all know what happens... Thanks again!

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[Flame]

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!

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[Raptor]

No problem, Flame.

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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    )

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