nic

[flora696]

Hi, I have just bought a new pc but when I try to install broadband I am getting the message that NIC is not detected and must be installed to continue. Can anyone help with this, what is it and where do I get it. How much etc?? Thank you very much.

[vehelpfulguy]

NIC stands for Network Interface Card.

This is the card (or more likely built in to the motherboard) where you plug in your network cable.

(I believe some broadbands now plug into a USB port, but your PC will still need a NIC and Windows will need to recognize that a NIC is installed).

This could either be a hardware problem or a software problem.

The hardware problem may be that no NIC is on the PC (not likely on a new PC) or that it is not working.

The software problem may be that Windows does not recognize it, or the drivers for the NIC have not been installed.

So it is difficult to tell you what to do as it could be all sorts of different problems.

[ryepie]

NIC is Network Interface Card, and is your network card, evidenced on your computer as a port that looks like a telephone jack except a bit squarer. Basically it sounds like the installer cannot see it. Now this could be due to the fact that the operating system itself cannot see it because the drivers for it are not installed.

To check this go into 'Device Manager' on your computer; this can be found under the 'System' icon within the Control Panel. If you cannot find it, then just open up your OS help file (assuming you're on windows then hitting F1 when you're on the desktop will bring it up) and search on 'Device Manager' and you should get a link directly to it. When it opens, look under 'Network Adapters' and see if anything is listed. If there isn't, or if there is but it has a yellow question mark by it, then the drivers for your NIC are not installed correctly. You will need to find and install them. The PC manufacturer's website is usually a good start, as most provide drivers for most system components for download. If in doubt call whoever supplied your PC.

Else, you may need to contact your broadband provider and see if they know of any incompatibility issues, although that is very unlikely.

[vehelpfulguy]

You check if Windows thinks you have an NIC as follows (this is on XP, you may have Vista if it is a new PC).

Open the Windows Control Panel and select Performance and Maintenance. Then Select system.

On the System Properties window select Hardware.

Then press the Device Manager button.

This shows you all the hardware devices connected to your PC.

On the list should be Network Adapters.

Click the plus sign to the left of Network Adapters and it should list what network adapter you have installed.

Devices NOT instaled properly may be shown with a yellow question mark.

See what devices (if any) are listed under the yellow question mark.

[vehelpfulguy]

Ryepie, looks like we typed our answers at the same time.

And they were very similar.

[vehelpfulguy]

Can you tell us what make PC and Operating System you have.

Also what broadband provider.

Also how are you connecting your PC to the broadband (what cable and where are you plugging it in to your PC)

Are you plugging it into a slot like this:

http://etc.usf.edu/te_mac/hardware/i/img_1752. jpg

Note this is different to where you plug the phone cable into, which is the slot on the LEFT in the picture above.

[flora696]

You really are helpful! Thanks. It is an Acer desktop pc with Vista. I am using an NTL broadband disc which I have used several times before. I hadn't got to a stage where I had plugged in, but I had selected to use ethernet cable as I have my modem thing plugged into a netgear wireless thing and it only has this cable to use. Hope this makes sense as my old pc was ok using it this way I am hoping it is simple to do or a fault that the shop can fix. I will do those checks you suggested, hoping Vista is not too different. Thanks again.....

[flora696]

under network adaptors it says:
Marvell Yukon 88E8056 PCI-Gigabit Ethernet Controller

[ryepie]

lost by 1 minute! lol!

[ryepie]

Could be that the installer package isn't Vista compatible. Any chance of you getting the latest one from NTL (aren't they Virgin Media now??)

[flora696]

Hi, thanks ryepie good thinking, I am just trying something from the virgin website, hopefully it will work, fingers crossed.

[vehelpfulguy]

It may be that the software will only install with the network cable plugged in.

As ryepie says make sure the broadband program you are using is Vista compatible.

Many programs and drivers that worked under XP do not work under Vista.

[flora696]

Yes! The virgin website has a special vista compatibility section and a site to register or re-install it took me about 20 seconds now I am up and running no cd required! Thanks so much for your help.