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General discussion

Ethernet port problem

Jan 10, 2005 6:13AM PST

On my dell insiron 9100, the ethernet port seems to be broken. None of the lights turn on when connecting to lan. Could it be the chip that controls the ethernet port, could it of been fried from static electricity. I know the port is fine, none of the wires are bent. any other criteria much appreciated

Discussion is locked

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Possibility
Jan 10, 2005 6:24PM PST

Integrated Ethernet chips can and do fail I'd try uninstalling and reinstalling the component first in control panel and recheck the settings. These are generally surface mount and some can be a pain to swap out even with the right equiptment. Which chipset is this we most likely have one if needed. A good trick I've figured out on this type of chip as well as others is to draw most of the solder from the component leads with wick, and then run a size E (smaller of the two E's) Guitar string between the leads and the board.. Then just pull or draw the leads... This is a great low heat and low distortion method.. (heat will damage components)..

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The other method.
Jan 10, 2005 8:18PM PST

I found some PC-Card ethernet cards for under 20 bucks. I disable the onboard ethernet and use the ethernet card.

Better yet, get a wifi card.

Bob

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I hope this doesn't insult you but . . .
Jan 10, 2005 8:59PM PST

We're sure that the network connection in the Control panel is enabled, right? The lights on my NIC are off when the wired ethernet is disabled, too.

You also never specify if you can get on the network with it, only that the lights don't come on.

If, however, your network connection is enabled and you can't get on the network, then it's hardware broken.

But a 9100 is a relatively new model. Should be a warranty issue, right?