Dead NIC's

[Per Hansson]

Hi, I've got a bunch of dead NIC's
One in a mini-itx system, integrated on the mobo, it was hit by lightning, no visible damage, no link detected

Next a small HP thin client, t5000 series, no link detected (also integrated on mobo)

A Intel Pro 100 NIC, same deal, no link detected

All these install the drivers fine and as far as Windows and Linux is concerned work just fine, they just can't bring up a link...
Where would I start to troubleshoot this?
Reason I ask is that I see allot of these in the field and would love to be able to fix them, especially the smaller systems that don't have room for PCI expansion cards...

[retiredcaps]

Re: Dead NIC's

Hook up wireshark and see if there are any ethernet packets coming from the devices. If they are working, you will see ethernet packets.

http://www.wireshark.org/

Check to make sure your computer bios is up to date. Sometimes a firmware upgrade may help?

Try disabling the network port in bios, save, cold boot (shut down via power switch), reboot, and re-enable network port in bios and reboot.

Some computers can also do a network boot. If you enable that, you should see ethernet packets on wireshark.

Where would I start to troubleshoot this?
Reason I ask is that I see allot of these in the field and would love to be able to fix them, especially the smaller systems that don't have room for PCI expansion cards...

[stj]

Re: Dead NIC's

i would start by removing and metering the windings on the transformer.
if you cant see one then it's hidden in the back of the rj45 connector.

next, search a datasheet for the network chip - they usually have partial schematics of how you connect the socket through the transformer to the chip.

[seanc]

Re: Dead NIC's

I have a dead one in a Shuttle.
Replacing the Realtek chip and swapping crystals didn't help, must be the port which I can't get off of the board.

[PCBONEZ]

Re: Dead NIC's

Look for blown SMD fuse near jack.

[Per Hansson]

Re: Dead NIC's

I looked at the price on those NIC ports, usually they are combined with 2x USB ports (all boards I have with failed NIC's are)

The price on those at Elfa Sweden was ca $13
That's a big no thank you!
Can probably find used complete boards cheaper than that!

PCBONEZ; I shall look for fuses, but I'll probably need to post a pic for help with identification

[seanc]

Re: Dead NIC's

I'll pull my port off the board I pulled the chip from, if I can.

As far as I know, no SMD fuses on mine.
The network card reboots all of the time.

[brethin]

Re: Dead NIC's

Look for blown SMD fuse near jack.

99% of all onboard nics have a SMD fuse.

Same for the PS/2, USB, Firewire etc.

They may be hard to find, real tiny but they are there somewhere.

This is even more true on laptop than desktop boards.

[NxB]

Re: Dead NIC's

There is nothing in the connector to break.

[seanc]

Re: Dead NIC's

Where's the transformer stj mentions then? Or is he talking about something else?

[NxB]

Re: Dead NIC's

It should be near it.

[kikkoman]

Re: Dead NIC's

sometimes they're integrated in the jack. but on the Intel Pro, they're external.