AboutRider Expertise With 20 years experience I can answer almost any question about Intel computers ror build, restore, backup, configure, OS problems, Hardware issures. Setup of hardware components, repair, remove and replace. Trouble shooting hardware/driver issues.
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Experience I have been a hardware/os tech for over 20 years, I also own a web site for the do it yourselfer with over 170 articles.
Education/Credentials AAS Electronics Engineering Technology, MCSE, A , HP/IBM/Compaq hardware repair ceritfications
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Expert: Rider Date: 12/28/2007 Subject: Internet Adapter
Question I am running a Windows PC on XP home and have problems with the Internet adaptor on my ASUS motherboard that seems to be failing.
I tried installing A Gigabit Network Adaptor by Creative I/O and the install failed, locked up my PC and wouldn't allow a normal Windows boot. I rebooted in safe mode and disabled the drivers for the new adapter.
To try and minimize the number of bad tries I have a simple question: Should I disable the onboard LAN adaptor before installing the new one. Is that what may be causing the lockup?
Thanks in advance.
Lew
Answer Yes, you need to disable the embedded NIC (Network Interface Card).
First go into the BIOS and disable it there, then start the OS and uninstall the adapter from the Device Menu.
Then install your new NIC, you don't need to go into the BIOS setup but I always do when adding new hardware, just open the first page, then exit and save.
Then start the OS, have the install cd ready, you will need the drivers.