Cannot see Local Area Connection icon

Essendon

Having embarked on my MCSE journey, I have bought a top-dog computer with no OS. I installed Server 2003 on a 5GB partition. Everything went on smoothly and I was able to logon to the server for the first time. Wishing to configure a few roles on it, when I try to install the Domain Controller (AD) role, I come up with the message : There are no IP addresses give to this computer. Please check ur TCP/IP settings in Network Connection in Control Panel.

I go into Network Connections, and the Local Area Connection icon is MISSING. The only icon is make a new connection. I did make a new connection and was able to get to the TCP/IP properties. But making a new connection seemed more like going through setting up a dial-up connection ???? The new icon does have Broadband written on it, but double-clicking it brings up a dial-up connection dialog box.

Perhaps the computer doesnt have a NIC at all. But the loopback ping came back successsful. the ipconfig command brings up NOTHING at all. So does nestat.

Any suggestions/advice is GREATLY apreciated. Thank you !

Sie

You have a new computer with no OS?

My first question would be:

A) Does it have a network card? - just take a look at it on the back panel

Have you installed the required drivers for the NIC?

C) Any conflicts showing in Device Manager?

Essendon

If there is an ethernet port, I'd assume there's an NIC there. I did give the drivers a thought, but overlooked it. I ll check that, any other suggestions. Thanks!

Sie

Yes I would assume there was a NIC with a Ethernet port aswell but you didnt mention that in the first post

Is it an onboard NIC?

What make of Motherboard is it?

Drivers would be my first port of call and device manager too.

If its not a onboard NIC make sure it is seated correctly in the Motherboard.

dynamik

I agree. It just sounds like a driver issue. Did you install the drivers manually? I find that I often need to whenever I build a computer myself. Windows very rarely comes up with it on its own. Check device manager and go from there. If you don't have a in device manager, you're looking at some sort of hardware problem.

pryde7

Rule of thumb!!!
After any OS installation
Go to the Device manager and make sure all devices are present and working properly.
Install any missing hardware and driver.
For onboard devices, go to the BIOS setup and make sure they are enabled (or disabled if necessary).
Most motherboards come with the "PnP OS" feature disabled or set to NO. If you don't change that you may encounter many problems with resources especially if you have many HW devices.
After that you can move to doing your configurations!
Good luck!

Essendon

Thank you for the advice guys. I ll check all that u have mentioned when I get home after work.

Essendon

I had a look at the mobo just now. The NIC seems to be an onboard card, something I cant unplug and put back in. As pryde7 said, PnP wasnt enabled, I went into BIOS and was able to enable it. But this didnt help much.

Had a thorough look at the Device Manager, there was an 'exclamation mark' where it said Ethernet Controller. I tried to give it a driver from the server 2003 CD, but wudnt take it from there. Tried to uninstall/re-install it, but didnt help much.

The moment I punch in the password and logon to the server, it comes up with the mesasge that one or more services are not running. Went into event viewer, a few crosses come up and say that the DHCP and WINS services are not running. Wonder if this was creating the problem. The log says that there is no DHCP server, is configured incorrectly, or there are no static IP address associated, or there are no active interfaces.

Specs to the computer:

Network Interface : Integrated Intel 10/100 with Wake-On-LAN support
BIOS Acer PnP BIOS and FLASH BIOS
Architecture AGP/PCI

Any ideas, thanks!

pryde7

Had a thorough look at the Device Manager, there was an 'exclamation mark' where it said Ethernet Controller. I tried to give it a driver from the server 2003 CD, but wudnt take it from there. Tried to uninstall/re-install it, but didnt help much.

Its obvious that windows does not support the NIC. You need the motherboard driver CD. If you don't have it check the manufacturers website and download the driver. Else you'll need to buy a new NIC.
DHCP and other network services will not function without a network card. What is the name and model number of your board. I can help with links to get a driver.

Essendon

The mobo is an Acer Veriton 5600G. There's an N1996 in white writing on the center of the mobo, wonder that is. I looked up Acer's freaking website, first it was too slow to come up, but this particular computer wasnt even mentioned on the list!! What the hell.....!!??

pryde7

http://www.acersupport.com/desktop/html/v5600g_dl.html

Check that out.

Essendon

Pryde7 I'll give that link a shot, although that page doesnt have a alink for the Server 2003 drivers, should I install the ones for the 2000 or the XP. Any thoughts on that ??

I might just take it to the place I brought it from and ask them to put on the drivers for me if I am not able to get things working tonight.

pryde7

The XP driver should work fine! When you buy any hardware insist on the driver CD.
Being a techy, you have to exhaust all your skills and resources before resorting to supplier except your stuff is still under warranty.
Such tough times helps your growth and expertise.
Good luck!!

Essendon

You are right mate, this is the second time I have overlooked asking for a driver Cd and now feel how much I needed it !!

Anyways, I ll take it the supplier today and as the things is under warranty, he should fix the hardware/driver issue. I wont forget the drivers CD this time. I ll get back to you with what he going to do...

Essendon

pryde7, u were right mate.... just downloaded the driver for Broadcom NIC, and the internet suddenly started working. My problem is that I tend to over look things these days as there is a lot on my mind, my job ( we' ve got many projects on ), paying off the house and other stuff....any ways...I will keep this Forum of absolutely brilliant people ( GEEKS ) posted...