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9766
November 9th, 2017 08:00
Unable to detect network cable
I have an OptiPlex 390 that I seldomly use (actually has probably been over a year since last used). I recently had a situation where I had to use it. Unfortunately, when I went to use it, it did not detect the network cable (doesn't have wifi). Have checked the cable by connecting to another device, so I know that I have internet connection up to there.
Device manager states that all is well with the NIC card. Using on-board NIC.
Tried using USB to Ethernet converter, but it couldn't install the driver due to no internet connection.
One curious thing is that I got a new laptop a day before yesterday, and it had a similar problem that wasn't resolved until ProSupport updated BIOS on the new laptop
Wondering what to try next. Thanks in advance for your advice.
DELL-Chris M
Community Manager
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November 9th, 2017 09:00
When the 390 is on and you plug the RJ-45 cable into the Ethernet jack, do any lights appear on the jack? 5 and 7 below =
DonAbq
6 Posts
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November 9th, 2017 09:00
Lights do not come on. As a test of the cable, plugged it into a router and the lights came on there. Was able to ping and log into the router from elsewhere on the network.
DELL-Chris M
Community Manager
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56.9K Posts
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November 9th, 2017 09:00
Boot into the BIOS- System Configuration. Is the Integrated NIC set to Enabled?
DonAbq
6 Posts
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November 9th, 2017 09:00
I was in the BIOS earlier and there were 4 settings under the NIC card (Disabled, Enabled, Enabled (with PIX), and Enabled (with ???)) (doing this from memory right now). The plain "Enabled" was selected.
Since first writing this, I installed a USB to Ethernet Adapter. Unfortunately, Windows did not have a driver for this initially and had not internet access... so I had to download the driver on another computer, put it on a thumb drive and install the driver onto the machine. At least I now have internet access on the machine.
Presently running diagnostics on the machine to see if it picks up anything... that's why I had to enter stuff from memory above (BIOS settings).
RoHe
10 Elder
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45.2K Posts
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November 9th, 2017 10:00
Dead motherboard battery and jumbled BIOS settings, since you haven't used the PC in a year..?
You might want to unplug PC and press/hold power button for ~15 sec. Then remove the motherboard battery and press/hold power button for ~30 sec. Now Install a fresh CR2032 coin cell battery (~$2.00). If nothing else, you rule the battery and jumbled BIOS settings out...
DELL-Chris M
Community Manager
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56.9K Posts
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November 10th, 2017 05:00
After doing everything that RoHe suggest, if still no go, I guess it is possible that the motherboard Ethernet jack itself is broken. But I have not seen it happen before. I would not waste money buying a replacement motherboard for a 2011 computer. At most, I would add a PCIe x1 Ethernet card. Or simply use the external USB to Ethernet adapter.
DonAbq
6 Posts
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November 10th, 2017 06:00
Installed new button battery. No luck.
DonAbq
6 Posts
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November 10th, 2017 09:00
I agree with Dell-Chris M, not worth replacing motherboard. USB to Ethernet adapter is the way to go to remedy the problem. Computer seldom used and this is definitely the most cost effective solution. The curious thing, looking at the motherboard, Ethernet Port is housed with 2 USB ports on the motherboard. Previously had keyboard & mouse in those USBs tried moving these to a different USB port... no luck there either.
DonAbq
6 Posts
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November 10th, 2017 10:00
Actually, I did update the BIOS to A11 and all drivers yesterday. I was really hopeful when I saw the Realtek driver was on the list... but still did not detect cable afterwards.
RoHe
10 Elder
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45.2K Posts
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November 10th, 2017 10:00
Version of Windows?
Try updating BIOS (you can do directly to latest, A11), and chipset and Ethernet drivers for your version of Windows. Which Ethernet driver depends on whether you have Realtek or Broadcom NIC on the motherboard.
www.dell.com/.../drivers
RoHe
10 Elder
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45.2K Posts
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November 10th, 2017 18:00
Bummer... At least the USB>Ethernet is working for you.
One last thing... My Inspiron laptop's Ethernet port stopped working, and I concluded that the port had failed after trying all the stuff I suggested here. The cable worked fine with my desktop so I gave up and bought a USB>Ethernet dongle for the lappy.
When I moved, the old Ethernet cable wasn't long enough to reach the network jack, so I got a longer CAT5E cable. And guess what...both the desktop's AND the laptop's Ethernet port work with the new cable, but the laptop still won't work with old cable.
Go figure...!?!?!