Lost network connection

  • Thread starter Thread starter lenny
  • Start date Start date
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lenny

Hi,
I turned my computer (Dell Dimension 4500S) off and changed some memory from
124MB to 512MB. When I turned the computer back on during the start up I got
a message saying that the system clock needed checking (everything had
reverted back to defaults). I carried on through the start up and everything
is on the system fine except there is no sign of any network connections.
This system has an onboard LAN card but it seems to have gone also from the
Device Manager.

How can I get my network connection back up and running please?

XP Home with SP1 and all the updates except SP2 (Another story)

Cheers
Lenny
 
Hi Lenny,
Go to the Bios and make the appropriate changes to the Date and Time and
make the sysytem see or recognize the added memory, and the LAN Card,or
unplug the card then plug again to make the system recognize it,then set the
old setting for the card to gain connection to the LAN or the network,because
your setting have been cached on the old memory card and when you change the
cards you wiped away your cached setting.
Good luck and please write back which you experience.
 
If you are sure it is an onboard LAN port, then you need to install the
drivers for it. Usually, your motherboard comes with a CD that has all the
drivers for its onboard components. If you cannot locate this CD or if you
do not have one, then you will need to find out your motherboard brand and
version to search for it online. Go to their manufacturer website to
accomplish this.
 
Hi,
I turned my computer (Dell Dimension 4500S) off and changed some
memory from 124MB to 512MB. When I turned the computer back on
during the start up I got a message saying that the system clock
needed checking (everything had reverted back to defaults). I
carried on through the start up and everything is on the system
fine except there is no sign of any network connections. This
system has an onboard LAN card but it seems to have gone also from
the Device Manager.

How can I get my network connection back up and running please?

XP Home with SP1 and all the updates except SP2 (Another story)

Cheers
Lenny
Click to expand...

Have you checked your BIOS settings?
Reboot your computer and hit the key it uses to enter the BIOS
configuration screen and make sure that the on-board ethernet
capability is enabled.

HTH,
John
 
Hi,
I turned my computer (Dell Dimension 4500S) off and changed some memory from
124MB to 512MB. When I turned the computer back on during the start up I got
a message saying that the system clock needed checking (everything had
reverted back to defaults). I carried on through the start up and everything
is on the system fine except there is no sign of any network connections.
This system has an onboard LAN card but it seems to have gone also from the
Device Manager.

How can I get my network connection back up and running please?

XP Home with SP1 and all the updates except SP2 (Another story)

Cheers
Lenny
Click to expand...
That message suggests that the battery on the motherboard has expired. Replace it, as it keeps
your BIOS settings intact while the computer is turned off. It's about the size of a quarter.

As for the LAN, it is probable disabled by default. Look in the BIOS an option to enable it.
 
thanks for all the comments. I downloaded the drivers for the card and then
opened the case again, just in case, and discovered that the card that the
ethernet card was plugged into had become loose. I took it out and slotted
it back in and the network worked again.

Is it OK to take the battery out with the computer plugged in (not turned
on) or is it best to unplug it completly? Of course I understand that 'best
pratice' is to unplug completely but does it make any difference to any
settings?

Thanks again for all the comments
Cheers
Lenny
 
thanks for all the comments. I downloaded the drivers for the card and then
opened the case again, just in case, and discovered that the card that the
ethernet card was plugged into had become loose. I took it out and slotted
it back in and the network worked again.

Is it OK to take the battery out with the computer plugged in (not turned
on) or is it best to unplug it completly? Of course I understand that 'best
pratice' is to unplug completely but does it make any difference to any
settings?

Thanks again for all the comments
Cheers
Lenny
Click to expand...

Unplug from the wall outlet. The motherboard could short out If you dropped the battery into it
while it was powered up. You won't lose the settings if you get it changed within a few
minutes.
 
Unplug from the wall outlet. The motherboard could short out If you
dropped the battery into it while it was powered up.
Click to expand...


Good advice. I agree.

You won't lose
the settings if you get it changed within a few minutes.
Click to expand...


But I disagree here. In theory, you should have at least 15 minutes, but I
think it makes no sense to rely on it. One should always have a hard copy of
the BIOS settings just in case.
 
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