During a large storm, the power went out and when I turned the power back on, the PC would no longer recognize the network connection. I then plugged the network connection into my laptop and the connection works fine.

On the PC, other than the internet connection not working, everything else is okay. However, Windows popped up a dialog box stating that there had been a significant change in hardware and I would have to reverify Windows. So I called the 800 # and verified Windows.

The internect connection is built in to the motherboard. I am thinking I need to replace the motherboard.

I then explained my situation to a local PC tech company and they told me they do not carry my motherboard and recommended getting a new computer. I really don't want to replace my computer since it works well except for the internet connection.

I looked on eBay and NewEgg, but I can not yet locate another motherboard like the one I have. What is another motherboard I can easily locate that will work?

PC Specs:

OS: XP Pro SP 2
Motherboard: Abit KW7 KT880+VT8237
Processor: AMD 2600/333 Athlon XP
RAM: 1024 DDRAM TWINX 3200C2PT Corsair
Power Supply: 400 Watt Allied AL-B400ATX
DVD: Lite On DVD-Rom
DVD: DVD RW 16x NECND-3520

For fun, unplug the computer for a few days. It may fix itself.

An alternative is just purchase a network card. They are relatively inexpensive.

Agreed, don't bother buying a new motherboard when you could spend maybe $15 and get a Network adapter that slips into a PCI slot.

When you plug the network/internet cable into your desktop do the 2 computers icon come up? (next to the clock)

I went out and bought a D-Link DFE-530TX+ Network Adapter.

I inserted the CD with the drivers on it and installed the drivers.

I then turn the computer off and install the network adapter in an empty PCI slot.

I then turn the computer back on.

After it boots up, the lights on the cable modem work (PC activity flashes) and the lights on the network adapter flash, but it is still not working. The instruction manual says a "Found New Hardware" bubble should come up but it is not coming up.

When I go to the control panel and click system, hardware, device manager - there is not even a spot for network adapters on the list.

In response to tf7426, the 2 computers icon never comes up. When the network cable is plugged in or not, it has no effect, the 2 computers icon is never there.

Any advice, if I can't get this to work, I guess I will have to get the motherboard.

From the cmd prompt, "ping 127.0.0.1"

This is the loopback address. This should result in a reply. This basically tests to see if the drivers work.

Also from the cmd prompt try "ipconfig /renew"

Post the results of "ipconfig"

CLick start -> Control Panel -> Add New Hardware

This will scan your computer for any recently added components. I usually recommend installing drivers after the card has been installed. If that doesn't work, there may be more damage to your motherboard than you might originally be seeing (i.e. PCI bus damaged, or even damage to the bus connecting the RAM to the CPU).

The computer was tested with the network card installed.

From the cmd prompt I typed ping 127.0.0.1

Results:

Pinging 127.0.0.1 with 32 bytes of data:

Reply from 127.0.0.1: bytes=32 time<1ms TTL=128
Reply from 127.0.0.1: bytes=32 time<1ms TTL=128
Reply from 127.0.0.1: bytes=32 time<1ms TTL=128
Reply from 127.0.0.1: bytes=32 time<1ms TTL=128

Ping statistics for 127.0.0.1
Packets: Sent = 4. Received = 4, Lost = 0 <0% loss>,
Approximate round trip times in milli-seconds:
Minimum = 0ms, Maximum - 0ms, Average = 0ms

I then typed ipconfig /renew

Results:

Windows IP Configuration

I then typed ipconfig

Results:

Windows IP Configuration

I also clicked start -> Control Panel -> Add New Hardware

The computer scanned for new componenets but did not find any. I scanned through the list and did not see anything listed about networking.

The fact that you were able to ping yourself still doesn't mean that the card is working, the loopback address checks that TCP/IP is installed properly on the computer. Try installing the software that came with your card again. If that doesn't work, then I'm afraid you may be stuck buying new hardware (i.e. New motherboard, which may mean new processor and RAM too).

I've tried installing the drivers with the network adapter in, with it out, with the network cable plugged in, I can't get the PC to recognize the connection. I think I'm SOL on this one.

Anyone know where I can get a replacement motherboard (similar or the same) that will work? I didn't see this exact motherboard on eBay and NewEgg and the local computer shops I have checked don't sell it.

OS: XP Pro SP 2
Motherboard: Abit KW7 KT880+VT8237
Processor: AMD 2600/333 Athlon XP
RAM: 1024 DDRAM TWINX 3200C2PT Corsair
Power Supply: 400 Watt Allied AL-B400ATX
DVD: Lite On DVD-Rom
DVD: DVD RW 16x NECND-3520

Comp Geeks.com seems to have one that's at least comparable. I'm guessing you're running a Socket A.

One of those will hopefully help you out.

Under the device manager, "Network adapters". What's listed?

With ipconfig, that's all you got is "Windows IP configuration". Nothing else was listed?

The ping to the loopback address says that TCP/IP is installed which is good. It's not necessarily bound to a network card.

You didn't get anything like:

Microsoft Windows XP [Version 5.1.2600]
(C) Copyright 1985-2001 Microsoft Corp.

C:\Documents and Settings\normal>ipconfig

Windows IP Configuration


Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection 2:

Media State.. . : Media disconnected

Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:

Media State.. . : Media disconnected

Ethernet adapter Wireless Network Connection:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
IP Address.. . : 10.0.1.2
Subnet Mask.. . : 255.255.255.0
Default Gateway.. . : 10.0.1.1

C:\Documents and Settings

To copy, do the following.

On the top of the cmd window, right click.
Click edit/mark
Click edit/select all
Hit <enter>

You can now paste in askmehelpdesk

Under Properties, you may have to check "Quickedit mode".

In the device manager, there is no listing for "Network Adapters" It goes from "Monitors" to "Ports".

Here is exactly what I get when I type ipconfig on the command line:

C:\Documents and Settings\John>ipconfig

Windows IP Configuration

C:\Documents and Settings\John>

My motherboard is a Socket A, how do I figure out for sure if a different motherboard will be compatible with all the components I already have?

Current motherboard is Abit KW7 KT880+VT8237

http://www.amdboard.com/abit_kw7.html

The link I provided is solely for Socket A boards. The only other concern you have is making sure that the RAM is compatible. Generally, they're all going to be using the same style of RAM within that category, but if you want to know for sure, you can open your computer up and yank out a stick of RAM to see what speed it falls under, then you can verify that the board and RAM will be compatible.