Cable Unplugged Problem

[Fatality]

Well I got a nice home computer for Christmas and I can't get the internet working on it. The ethernet card is a VIA Compatable Fast Ethernet Adapter. There is also another adapter called a 1394 Adapter. I fresh installed because I figured XP would pick up the internet connection when it reinstalled but it didn't work. I did not get any CD's with the computer. The local area connection is enabled but says the cable is unplugged while I know it isn't. The lights for the cord down here on the router dont light up. I tried bringing the tower down here and using the exact cord that this computer is using but once I plugged it in it the lights went off. I'm guessing it has something to do with the card or there is something I need to configure to get it working. I've heard that the card I have is not very good and die after awhile so one suggestion is getting a cheap network card but I need to find out for sure if it is the card that is the problem or if it's something else.

AMD Athlon 3000+ 2.1 GHz
960MB RAM
160GB Hard Drive
Compaq Presario S6500NX - Store Brand

P.S I added 512MB to it.


Any suggestions?

[glc]

I'd return the computer and get a replacement on warranty or store exchange. It has a bad motherboard.

[Dia]

On board components tend to fail or be cheaply built. You can buy a PCI wired card (roughly like 20 bucks) or return the computer for a replacement.

[glc]

My recommendation is based on the fact if the network adapter doesn't work, what's going to fail next? There is no excuse to accept a brand new computer that has hardware that's not fully functional.

[Fatality]

Thanks fellas. glc, I do agree with you that if one thing has failed that something else might but right now I can't afford a new computer. This is good enough for me for the time being. I have went to a local computer store and purchased a 15$ NIC Card and popped it in and the internet worked immediately. Thanks for all your help.

[Dia]

What GLC is saying is if you got this for an xmas gift it must be new. If its new then it still has to be under warrenty. If its broken due to manufacturing flaw (aka you not breaking it) then you should be compensated with a new board or an entire new computer it wouldnt come out of your pocket.

Also if the pc was bought using a credit card certain creditors have buying protection for its customers warrenty or not. American express has a policy like this.

[dannowon2]

Dia & glc hav a great point and u should try 2 get it replaced because if it is a bad fault in the mobo then its almost likely that more of its features may fail