Refurb computer - no network

[elbrecht]

I got a $200 desktop from geeks.com.
TS-5S-DC1021-R -- HP De-Branded Slimline Pentium Dual-Core E6700 3.2GHz
HP De-Branded Slimline Pentium Dual-Core E6700 3.2GHz 2GB 750GB

Windows XP can’t find network on install. [I’ve installed it 4 times now & noticed the little error message on one install.]

My first attempt was a disk copy from my old desktop. That didn’t ‘take’ so I formatted and did a clean install from my set of XP disks. Then I did it again a few times with variations.

No network icons show up in the system tray.

Motherboard is a Foxconn 2A8C with onboard Ethernet..

I’ve tried the RJ45 cable on a laptop and it is working.
I tried a D-link wireless USB [WUA1340] which appears to install, shows up as fine in device manager—but when I try the troubleshooter, it just doesn’t respond. No hourglass, no error message. [I disabled the onboard Lan in bios- nothing either way.]

Thinking that D-link is pretty old, I picked up a new pci Ethernet card. No joy.

[while in the device manager I see that there are other devices not working- and the troubleshooter acts the same for them. This may or may not be connected to the network problem, but the ‘activate windows now’ icon in the system tray behaves the same. Click on it and it disappears, but nothing happens.]

I don’t see anything else in the bios to reset, but it seems like it has to be either BIOS or CMOS related.

I have lavalys.com’s Everest program for system reports if anything else would help.

I’d like to flash the bios—but am hesitant as I am not confident that I will pick the right one from the Foxconn site. I get nothing when I search for that particular MB—And when I use their drop down menus at http://www.foxconnsupport.com/download.aspx , when I get to chipset, I am lost. The report says; ‘unknown’ – This site http://www.findlaptopdriver.com/2a8c-foxconn-1-0-specs-12232011h37/ says ;
“* North Bridge – G41
* South Bridge – ICH7” – neither of which is an option on the Foxconn site.

This is the ipconfig report;
Microsoft Windows XP [Version 5.1.2600]
(C) Copyright 1985-2001 Microsoft Corp.

C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator>cd\

C:\>ipconfig /all

Windows IP Configuration

Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : winddad
Primary Dns Suffix . . . . . . . :
Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Broadcast
IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No

Ethernet adapter {BA465446-2E2A-48E3-AF54-769D4CBF1FC2}:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Realtek PCIe FE Family Controller -
Packet Scheduler Miniport
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 2C-27-D7-39-5B-49
Dhcp Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 0.0.0.0
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 0.0.0.0
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :
DHCP Server . . . . . . . . . . . : 0.0.0.0

Ethernet adapter {E2F468B9-D7A5-404C-88F4-FEB0AC945E5A}:

Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Realtek RTL8169/8110 Family Gigabit
Ethernet NIC - Packet Scheduler Miniport
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-0A-CD-1C-9E-2B
xxxxxxx

Any thoughts on what I should try next?

Thanks
Jim

 

[paulcheung]

I think you need to install the drivers for the network cards.

 

[elbrecht]

Did that on the 2 I tried. [ Device manager said they were working, but there was no indication that they were. When I tried the windows network troubleshooter it just exited the screen but didn't do anything.

Thanks,
Jim

 

[johnb35]

If you just bought it and its not working, then you need to send it back.

 

[elbrecht]

If you just bought it and its not working, then you need to send it back.

Where would be the fun in that?

I started out thinking it was likely operator error. Then, after investing some more time in it, it has become a challenge. [my March/April hobby, if you wll] *If* I can find the right setting or driver that needs to be tweaked or flashed, I'm way ahead of the game.

It was cheap. Toss the MB & the rest of the parts would come close to the $200 I've got invested, and I'm liable to learn something along the way.

That said-- It looks like it is time to give geeks.com a call and see if *they* have a good idea. I was hoping someone here might just have a quick- 'oh you need to go here and do this' before I picked up the phone.

Thanks,
Jim

 

[Currency]

Where did the drivers come from you installed?

Was installing drivers the other night for an Intel ethernet and it took several attempts, ended up on the HP C website for the drivers which finally worked.

Other than that, What John suggested, sending the board back would have been an option but your not willing.

So we can continue trying to help, or you can bite the bullet and purchase an add-on card which should be faster anyways.

 

[elbrecht]

Just a followup- I'm the OP.

I emailed geeks.com, who sent me the link for the HP drivers. The drivers only supported Windows 7.

So I ordered a Windows 7 CD & all is well.

Now I've got a home network with a win 7, a vista and an xp machine-- so I'm off to the network group to iron some kinks out.

Thanks for the suggestions.
Jim