How to replace a LAN card to a computer?

How to replace a LAN card to a computer?

Hi,

I have read the issue that you have replacing your LAN card on the computer and here are the steps on how to replace the network internet card or the LAN card.

Before replacing the LAN card of your computer, I will advise to check first the status of the LAN card on the network connections. If the LAN shows connected that means that the LAN card is working. We just need to check if the ip address on the LAN card is valid or not. Ip address (ipv4 for windows vista and 7) can be valid or invalid depending on where it’s coming. Here is a chart wherein you will see what is considered valid and invalid ip address.

How to check the ip address of the LAN:

1. Click Start button.
2. Click run (for Win XP) or look for start search or search programs and files (for Windows vista and Windows 7).
3. Type in the search bar: ncpa.cpl and then Hit Enter.
4. The network connections screen will load up.
5. Look for LAN or Local Area Connection and right-click it.
6. Select Status.
7. Click Support (for Windows XP) or Details (for Windows vista and 7).
8. Look and check the ip address.

0.0.0.0 – is a public IP address that indicates an auto-configuration address, which means that the host is not connected to a network. There may be a problem with the network interface card (NIC). It can also be that the NIC is not getting an ip from the modem, so what we need to do are the following:

1. Restart all devices including the modem, router and the computer.
2. After restarting all devices, check the ip address again if it changes.
3. If the ip did not change do the following:

• Click Start button.
• Click run (for Win XP) or look for start search or search programs and files (for windows Vista and windows 7).
• Type in the search bar: devmgmt.msc and then Hit Enter.
• Look for the network adapters at the bottom of the screen.
• Click the + sign beside network adapters.
• On the list of the adapters, look for the adapter that has NIC, Ethernet or network connections in it and then right-click it.
• Click uninstall and then click ok or uninstall again if a box ask you are you sure you want to uninstall the device.
• You will notice that the NIC adapter will disappear on the list.
• Right-click any of the adapters in there and select scan for hardware changes.
• The Ethernet adapter will appear again on the list.
• Check the LAN again and see if you have an ip address, if you already have a valid ip address so that means that you will be able to access the internet.

If in case that you still have 0.0.0.0 ip address that means that it's the NIC or the network card that is having issues so you may now continue replacing the NIC card.

10.0.0.0 – 10.255.255.255 – is a Private IP address that indicates a 10.x.x.x IP address that normally represents the assigned cable modem IP address. If you have this IP address so that means that it just needs to be renewed by restarting all devices or doing the above solution with the 0.0.0.0 ip address.

24.x.x.x, 64.x.x.x – 70.x.x.x, and 204.x.x.x – Public IP address that indicates valid and that you can go online with these ip addresses.

169.254.x.x – is a Private IP address that means that the host is not connected to a network (similar to 0.0.0.0) but it is because the host cannot connect to the DHCP because of a DHCP timeout (the host gave up trying to connect because it was taking too long). If you have this ip that means that the issue can also be related with your ISP or the NIC card. Follow the steps that we have with the 0.0.0.0 ip address again and if it's still not working contact your ISP first before replacing the card.

172.16.0.0 – 172.31.255.255 – is a Private IP address that represents a large private network. If you have this ip that means it’s a valid one and that you will be having a good connection.

192.168.0.0 – 192.168.255.255 – is a Private IP address that usually is for the router that you're using. These IPs that start with 192.x.x.x normally represent a home network (i. e., the subscriber has a router). If you have these ip's you should be connected to the internet if you have a router connected.

If you found out that the issue is with the NIC and that you need to replace it, here are the steps:

• Get all the tools or items needed for replacing the card such as the :
• Non-magnetic Phillips or screwdriver for taking out the screws.
• Anti-static wrist band helps prevent static electricity from damaging vital components of your computer.
• Computer’s user manual for the steps on how to open the tower or the location of the NIC.
• New Ethernet card and driver disks for the installation.
• PCMCIA Ethernet adapter.
• Driver disk for your adapter.

1. Be careful for sharp edges in the casing that can cut your fingers and/or hands and make sure that the computer is off.
2. Unplug all the cables connected to your tower.
3. Look for the screws holding the case cover.
4. Remove the screws attaching the cover to the frame.
5. If you will be having issues removing the case cover of the tower, check the user manual.
6. After opening up the tower make sure that the motherboard is facing up so you can see the motherboard from a bird's eye view. (The motherboard is the biggest board on the frame and it usually covers an entire side with other smaller boards sticking up from it.)
7. Locate the expansion slots in the motherboard. Expansion slots are long black strips or a short white strip that looks like Lego blocks. ISA slots are black while the PCI slots are white and the open slots are those that do not have other boards inserted.
8. Check which interface your card uses, if it's ISA, long and the gold contacts are large or PCI which is much shorter and smaller.
9. Check to see if the expansion slot opening next to the slot is covered, if it is then we need to remove the cover by unscrewing it. Check the user manual for some other information.
10. After the slot cover has been removed then we can now insert your card into the expansion slot on the motherboard.
11. Press firmly so the entire part of the card that has the gold contacts goes completely into the expansion slot on the motherboard. If it does not fit do not use any tool to make it fit because it will damage the card.
12. Screw the card into place with the screw you removed from the expansion slot cover or use a new screw.
13. Check if you have some screws that are not yet screwed and then replace the case and screw it back in the same place.
14. You can now reconnect the cables that you have disconnected earlier.
15. Turn on the computer.
16. Install the drivers using the disks that came with the NIC and check the details using the user manual.
17. Look for the section setting up and configure your computer for ResNet and for the settings you might need to access Reset.
18. You may now start installing the NIC and if you will be having issues with it try asking a local computer tech or your computer manufacturer.

Hopefully I have at least help you with the problem that you're having.