Replacing a NIC card

[Mattrixx]

I have a D-Link NIC that`s listed under Device Manager as a Realtek RTL8139
Network Adapter. This card has a faulty internal retaining "stop", that
is... the Ethernet cable`s plug is not staying put inside the cards jack! I
know it is definitely the cards port, cause I have tried the cable on
another (free) NIC card, and it "retains" just fine.

My question is: will I necessarilly have to re-activate WindowsXP (Home) if
I just go ahead and replace the D-Link with say a Netgear ? I know Microsoft
considers the NIC
a more substantial hardware upgrade than any other peripheral.
Any other issues I might run into by replacing this NIC?

Thanks in advance to anyone who might care to answer my question

Matt

 

[Wayne Stallwood]

Replacing the network card on it's own should be fine and not force another
actvation.

 

[kony]

I have a D-Link NIC that`s listed under Device Manager as a Realtek RTL8139
Network Adapter. This card has a faulty internal retaining "stop", that
is... the Ethernet cable`s plug is not staying put inside the cards jack! I
know it is definitely the cards port, cause I have tried the cable on
another (free) NIC card, and it "retains" just fine.

Sometimes it can be a matter of the case's bracket divisons
(the metal strips running between each side) being
incompatible with the mounting position of the card, OR that
the motherboard isn't perfectly centered on the case
motherboard tray, or that the case simply wasn't
manufacturered in spec. The easiest first try is to loosen
the screw and shift the card up or down a little, if the
cable does stay in with the card completely removed from the
system.

 

[cat rancher]

I really like the Gigabit cards that I bought for about
40$, should be less now. Faster than my hard drives.

:I have a D-Link NIC that`s listed under Device Manager as a Realtek RTL8139
: Network Adapter. This card has a faulty internal retaining "stop", that
: is... the Ethernet cable`s plug is not staying put inside the cards jack!
I
: know it is definitely the cards port, cause I have tried the cable on
: another (free) NIC card, and it "retains" just fine.
:
: My question is: will I necessarilly have to re-activate WindowsXP (Home)
if
: I just go ahead and replace the D-Link with say a Netgear ? I know
Microsoft
: considers the NIC
: a more substantial hardware upgrade than any other peripheral.
: Any other issues I might run into by replacing this NIC?
:
: Thanks in advance to anyone who might care to answer my question
:
: Matt
:
:
:

 

[Pelysma]

:I have a D-Link NIC [snip]
:
: My question is: will I necessarilly have to re-activate WindowsXP (Home)

if I just go ahead and replace the D-Link with say a Netgear ? I know
Microsoft considers the NIC a more substantial hardware upgrade than any
other peripheral.

That's probably because the NIC has a globally unique number built in, its
MAC ID, making it really easy to identify. But it still only counts for
three of the ten "votes" in your machine's hash code. If you change only
the NIC, you won't have to reactivate. And even if you do, it's an
inconvenience and a formality. Odds are you'll be able to do it online with
a couple of mouse clicks.

: Any other issues I might run into by replacing this NIC?
:

It should be exceptionally easy to do. In the old ISA days, configuring a
new NIC was tricky, but now it's PCI plug and play. You may need to go
online for the latest drivers, but then you'll realize it's already working
or you couldn't go online with it.