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  • #2081696

    Losing Network Connection

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    by ihaden ·

    We have a network of approx 100 pc’s all using TCP/IP. Recently 4 of the machines have started to randomly lose their connection to the network. The problem is that they use software dependent on the network, and when the connection is lost, the program crashes.
    We use an NT network using only CAT5 cabling and each machine has a relatively new network card in it.
    The only problem that we can see is that the network card and the graphics card are sharing the same IRQ (11) although it is not showing as a conflict. We do not appear to be able to change these settings and have tried re-installing both cards but with no luck.

    Any suggestions as to how we can stop these computers losing the connection will be much appretiated.

    Cheers

    Ian

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    • #3896245

      Losing Network Connection

      by stewart.mcfeat ·

      In reply to Losing Network Connection

      There are several things you can do to identify where the fault is:

      Possible problems:

      Faulty CAT5 lead.
      Faulty Outlet Module.
      Faulty Port on Hub.
      Faulty line between patch panel and outlet.

      Possible solutions:

      1) Change the CAT5 cable from the PC to the outlet.

      2) Change the CAT5 cable from the Hub to the Patch Panel.

      3) Plug the CAT5 cable from the PC into another outlet.

      4) Plug the CAT5 cable from the Patch Panel into another port in the Hub.

      5) Re-krone the Outlet module.

      6) Move the NIC to another slot on the motherboard.

      7) Replace the NIC.

      8) Run a Fluke tester on the line to check for any breaks on the line.

      I hope this is useful

      Stewart

    • #3896243

      Losing Network Connection

      by brgraves ·

      In reply to Losing Network Connection

      First answer good but if no luck:
      1. NIC should not share IRQ as a rule of thumb. Do the other machines share the NIC as do the trouble machines? Are the video cards standard across the network? Not enough specific info to make a good judgementcall

      2. Are the trouble machines on the same subnet as the rest of the machines? could be time out problems

    • #3896239

      Losing Network Connection

      by hard hat harry ·

      In reply to Losing Network Connection

      The NIC should not be sharing an IRQ to alter the IRQ on the NIC, take it out of the problem PC and put it into a PC with IRQ 11 free. Alter the IRQ in the system settings, to a free one on the original machine, if using Win95/98/NT etc. and then OK. Remove the NIC and put into orignal machine and hey presto the IRQ on the NIC has changed.

    • #3896232

      Losing Network Connection

      by jz001 ·

      In reply to Losing Network Connection

      You probably tried this already but since no one has suggested it i figure maybe i will. From my experience, which isn’t very much,but I found that if you have the wrong NIC drivers installed your network connection will drop in and out. Could give it a try but you probably already have.

    • #3896231

      Losing Network Connection

      by craigm ·

      In reply to Losing Network Connection

      Above answers are good, however you should check the software your nic came with. Some NIC cards have a utility which requires you to configure the IRQ and I/O address of the card. You may need to do this in order for the card to work. I would also make sure those machines are using sp5. You may also want to visit the site of the PC manufacturer. Compaq and other companies sometimes release updates that address problems like the ones you are having.
      Good Luck

    • #3896223

      Losing Network Connection

      by schuenmankr ·

      In reply to Losing Network Connection

      Try taking out both cards and installing them one at a time. First the network card then install the graphics card. A network card should never share an IRQ.

    • #3896212

      Losing Network Connection

      by lmullen ·

      In reply to Losing Network Connection

      Are all four clients on the same hub? I had a similar problem and after a lot of hair pulling it turned out to be the hub. The hub would go down with the tiniest fluctuation in power and needed to be power cycled. We upgraded to a switch.

    • #3896210

      Losing Network Connection

      by jnelson2 ·

      In reply to Losing Network Connection

      I had this exact problem and my problem was with the sharing IRQ.. this is call cascading (IRQ 7 (printer) shares or cascades as well). The IRQ will not show a conflict in your control panel/system/device manager as it “swaps” requests. . You can however uncheck the “use automatic settings” and then change the memory “input/output” range if they are the same for both devices. If this does not work try installing NetBEUI, Aside from giving you something touse as a safe anchor for the usually-unneeded Microsoft Networking components, NetBEUI has the additional advantage of supporting the evolution of your system by providing safe local file and printer sharing at any time in the future. And, if you are already running a local network of computers you will gain immediate benefit from the use of the safe NetBEUI transport. TCP/IP should only be used for communication between non-windows based systems, such as the Internet ISP/Client connection.Hope this helps.

    • #3896206

      Losing Network Connection

      by greg.ahler ·

      In reply to Losing Network Connection

      Each and every workstation that comes into our building comes with Power Management enabled in the BIOS. I disable it because we’ve found that the NICs stop responding when the sys has gone into power-save mode. One thing you didn’t mention is if a user is currently at the station when it looses it’s connection. If someone is working at the time of loss, then my answer is moot, but consider it.

    • #3896193

      Losing Network Connection

      by jesselou ·

      In reply to Losing Network Connection

      disable your plug n play os aware in your bios.remove all your network cards,inside the box installed
      and reinstall them one by one.reconfigure your network connections.

    • #3896178

      Losing Network Connection

      by mhoward ·

      In reply to Losing Network Connection

      Try using DHCP. If you have specified the same IP address for these devices, there will be a conflict. If you use DHCP, it will obtain a random IP address on your block of addresses, and not allow conflicts.

    • #3896819

      Losing Network Connection

      by sub-d ·

      In reply to Losing Network Connection

      Put these Network cards in another PCI-slot, with that action, the IRQ changes.

      The conflict can indeed cause this problem.

    • #3896717

      Losing Network Connection

      by dspradlin ·

      In reply to Losing Network Connection

      Since they are sharing the same IRQ, I must assume that the network card is a PCI. Most NIC Cards can have there IRQ’s changed from the default, but you must do it at the DOS Prompt. Check the software disk that came with the NIC and see if there is a directory called UTILITY with a sub directory called SETUP. SETUP should be an executable file and will allow you to change your IRQ, type of cable used (BNC, RJ45, Etc), I/O and also will allow you to disable the cards PNP. Hope this helps.

    • #3896683

      Losing Network Connection

      by dfox ·

      In reply to Losing Network Connection

      When I had this problem, it had nothing to do with the NIC. It had to do with the power settings. There are power settings in the BIOS (disable these) and also in Control Panel under Power Management. This shoud be disabled also. Once both power management settings have been disabled, you should stay connected.
      P.S. Not all PC’s have power settings enabled. Sounds like you just have a few, but I would check them all. A good way to do a quick check is to see if the PC’s that are disconnecting are left idle for any length of time (people gone to lunch, break, etc). Hope this helps you out!!

    • #3896668

      Losing Network Connection

      by riyaz ·

      In reply to Losing Network Connection

      Add Netbeu Prot. & make sure it’s not marked for use default protocol. Your cabling may be not twisted enough. When you buy cat5 cable it’s twisted, most of the documents do not mention to twist as I do. 12 3 56 4 78 at both ends. This will reduce noise infact u cannot go 100BT full duplex without this twist. I never jam my net traffic.

      IRQ Hmmm! BIOS plug & play aware set to “NO”
      IRQ list make it Pnp PCI.
      from windows Control panel; disable NIC shutdown. Restart & enable the NIC u will get a free IRQ. if available. otherwise disable COM ports.

      Don’t you think this edit box can make not to exceed 1000. I cannot count.

    • #3896659

      Losing Network Connection

      by steve_price ·

      In reply to Losing Network Connection

      The general answer seems to be the IRQ
      Some boards lock the AGP and the first PCI slot to use the same IRQ (Are you listening Compaq?)
      Move the NIC to another slot and you should be able to use a different IRQ

    • #3899693

      Losing Network Connection

      by tysonmathews ·

      In reply to Losing Network Connection

      Most of our PC share IRQ11 with video also. Not a problem. We do have the issue, well did have the issue like that. Those had the 3COM ISA NIC in them and after swapping out to the 3COM XL PCI all was well. If not update the driver for the NIC andfind out what new software the usrs installed and remove them from the local admin group.

    • #3899619

      Losing Network Connection

      by fb-way ·

      In reply to Losing Network Connection

      sounds like a switch or hub is going bad. Trace cabling to the switch or hub and replace it.

    • #3899094

      Losing Network Connection

      by cmcd ·

      In reply to Losing Network Connection

      Could be protocal problems. Make sure on these comps that you don’t have IPX/SPX or any other protocal running. I’ve had IPX not only cause one computer to lose it’s connection, but bog down that leg of the TCP/IP network.

    • #3892427

      Losing Network Connection

      by rpratt ·

      In reply to Losing Network Connection

      I would agree with answer #9. You can have power management enabled, in order to be able to have the system power itself off on shutdown, but I would disable everything else under power management in the BIOS. (HDD spindown, video sleep mode, etc.) If you’re running TCP/IP, it should be robust enough to maintain connections, even with some small service interruptions.

    • #3734698

      Losing Network Connection

      by ihaden ·

      In reply to Losing Network Connection

      This question was auto closed due to inactivity

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