Wierd Network Problem

[xane]

Ok, either this is wierd or I am missing something, so help me out.

I used to have a simple Netgear Hub (FE104), 100baseT only, all four PCs connected fine, two using Netgear FA310TX (10/100baseT) NICs, the other two using 3com NICs.

I "upgraded" to a Netgear Switch (FS105), which is autosensing switchable between 10baseT and 100baseT, one of the Netgear NICs refuses to connect to it.

By "not connect" I mean no lights, at either end, so I don't think this is actually a Windows driver problem because you should have a connection once the PC is turned on, in fact I ran the DOS diagnostics program for the NIC and it reports no connection.

Now, I can connect my FE104 Hub to the FS105 Switch, using an uplink cable, and then connect the faulty FA310 NIC into the Hub and it all works fine, full network access, but the NIC refuses to work when replugged into the Switch !

The other FA310 NIC I have works fine in both Hub and Switch, as do the 3com NICs.

Now I've swapped and changed connectors to no avail, but before I start swapping NICs between machines or ripping out my CAT5 cables, I'd like some suggestions.

Netgear are not reknowned for their reliability, I do know they sent a batch of FA311 NICs out with the wrong identifier so they got reported as an FA312 (which has a different chipset), so I am wondering if anyone knows of Netgear problems like this.

I _have_ search their site BTW.

 

[Testin da Cable]

hmmm try setting the card to 100base/T with their diag disk.
[by saying that I'm supposing that the card is on "autoneg"]

tdc doesn't approve of autosensing/autonegotiate stuff

 

[Will]

Not something stupid like one port is dead? I assume you have tried two, but I have to ask.

 

[sabrex]

possibly one of several possibilities.

1.on the hub 1 is an uplink and if its not on you get "no lights" check it.
2.if you check at your rear you should see a light on the Nic if not its disabled in devman or has a more severe prob.

 

[S-Gray]

OK silly answer, have you plugged it in?