Why NIC keeps dying in WindowsXP? Keep repairing.

[Liam]

I'm running WindowsXP Pro (with all the current patches) behind a
Linksys router on a cable connection.
About every 30 minutes, more often when I'm doing something bandwidth
intensive (downloading video or streaming music for example,) the
connection drops. I can't even ping anything.
I have to go to network connections and "repair" the connection to get
back online.
(It's a built-in the mobo Realtek RTL8139/810x NIC. I've tried using
the drivers that came with the mobo, the latest Microsoft signed
drivers from auto-update, and the latest drivers from RealTek... the
connection death happens regardless.)

Thing is, I know it must be related to Windows because I can boot up in
Linux (Fedora Core 4) and nevel loose connectivity.

In both OS's I have it set to a static IP, gateway, subnet, DNS, etc.
But I've also tried DHCP. No change.

I guess I could go out and buy a PCI NIC, but I'd rather not spend the
money if it's a setting issue, which I'm tempted to believe since it
only happens in Windows.

Is there any recommendations of what I can take a look at, what options
or settings I can play with, to try to keep the NIC from having to be
"repaired" every 20 to 30 minutes?

Thanks!
-Liam

 

[David Vair]

Have you check the error log for any messages ?

 

[ANONYMOUS]

Have you checked the Windows hardware compatibility list if it is on
it. The list is here:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;314062

hth

 

[Liam]

Have you checked the Windows hardware compatibility list if it is on
it. The list is here:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;314062

hth

Yep:
Microsoft Windows Hardware Compatibility Publisher

 

[Brett Caton]

When I've contacted MS tech support, they say there is no HCL now;
http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/hcl/default.mspx says "
Products Designed for Microsoft Windows – Windows Catalog and HCL
Updated: March 28, 2006


Windows Marketplace and the Windows Catalogs are the comprehensive
listings for Windows XP, Windows Server 2003, and Windows 2000. The HCLs
are no longer maintained as a comprehensive reference."

MS tech Support told me "How to determine if a part is compatible in
the future To do this, when you purchase any new hardware it should come
with a logo stating that it is compatible with Windows XP"

I don't think I've ever seen a nic with that logo, or a mainboard, etc.

I've noticed similar problems with my DVD drive. I can't copy files or
install games if I use XP. (Yes, i have the latest drivers, firmwares
etc). Under Ubuntu (linux distro), no problems. I used to have win ME
and it worked fine too. I just wonder what's different in XP SP2 that
there seems to be a lot of compatibility problems. DRM???

 

[Thomas Wendell]

I don't know, but try??

In devicemanager, Rclick on the NIC, properties, PowerManagement tab,
uncheck "Allow windows to power down.."
(read my sig)


--
Tumppi
=================================
Most learned on these newsgroups
Helsinki, FINLAND
(translations from/to FI not always accurate
=================================

 

[Liam]

Drat. That sounded like a good idea, but no go. It still keeps stalling
out and I have to "repair" the connection.
The Event Viewer has absolutely no messages for around the time the
connection fails and I have to restart it. =/
Thanks for replying!
-Liam

 

[Yves Leclerc]

You could try replacing the cable between the network NIC and the network
port. You might have a "bad" cable that Linux may tolerate