Network Interface Cards (NIC) permits PC to attach to a router, switch, or hub. These cards are vital for setting up wired connections on a network or for interfacing with a broadband modem. If NIC is not showing a green activity light, you may be facing hardware failure because of NIC, the network, or a slot or port on PC. The simple method to check if you have a defective NIC is to take out card from its slot or port and to put card into a various slot or port on PC or to put card into a second PC.

Instructions

Remove Card from Computer (Internal)

Step 1

Check NIC card. Make sure that Ethernet cable is locked into cable port. Again put in the cable if it feels loose.

Step 2

Go to "Start", then "Control Panel." Click on "Classic View".

Step 3

Double-click "System," then select "Device Manger" below "Tasks".

Step 4

Find and explore "Network Adapters" by clicking on the "+."

Step 5

Check network adapters. If any of items have a yellow or red icon beside them, it shows that there is a driver or IRQ problem, which means that problem must be fixable. This shows that you do not have a bad NIC. If there are no adapters listed, you have a bad NIC.

Insert into a Different Slot or Computer

Step 1

Shut down PC. Take out every cables and power cords from PC. Connect anti-static bracelet.

Step 2

Find NIC, and take out screw that holds card on motherboard slot.

Step 3

Grab the card with thumb and fingers. Softly rock the card backward and forward until you have removed it.

Insert into another Slot, Port, or Computer

Step 1

Find a vacant slot on motherboard or an open external port, if appropriate.

Step 2

Put in the device. Do not screw in internal card, but make sure that it is tightly placed in the slot.

Step 3

Put in the network cable. If installing an internal card, again put in all needed cables to run PC, and then restart PC. If installing an external card, Windows must automatically detect the card. If it does not, skip to Step 5.

Step 4

Permit Windows the chance to detect the card. If it does not, shut down PC, take out all cables, and NIC from motherboard.

Step 5

Put in the card into other PC. If installing an internal card, follow similar process outlined before. If card does not work on a second PC, NIC is defective and must be substituted.