bsowles,

 

So, you have a PCI network card installed in your system.  What model is your computer?  It may have an onboard NIC also. 

 

Steve

I'm on a cable modem. Under network adaptors it says "Linksys NC 100 Fast Ethernet Apaptor"

It'd a Dimension 2400. BTW...thanks for your replies!

bsowles,

 

What items are listed under the category of Network Adapters?  Perhaps you have two network cards in your computer?  Or do you connect to the internet using a phone line?

 

Steve

bsowles,

 

Your computer does have an onboard network card.  It is a Broadcom 4401.  The driver for this onboard NIC is on the Resource CD that came with your computer and is available for download from this link:

 

http://search.dell.com/results.aspx?cat=sup&subcat=dyd&c=us&l=en&s=gen&k=R64645.EXE

 

I suspect that when the cable guy installed your cable modem and set up your computer, he installed the Linksys network card into your system and disabled the onboard NIC in Device Manager.  There is no need to re-enable the onboard NIC and install the driver for it at this point.  However, if the Linksys network card should fail, you do not need to go out and purchase a new one, simply remove it and enable the onboard NIC.  Connect the cable from your cable modem to the onboard network jack (RJ-45 jack) and all will become right with the world again.

 

Steve

Thanks for all your help Steve. I downloaded the driver as you detailed and all is well. Now I do have a backup in case my NIC ever fails. Thanks again Buddy.

bsowles,

 

You are welcome. 

 

Steve