Sometimes adapters don’t work properly (or at all). In this document, I'll go over the common adapter problems and their solutions. Some of these problems may not show up until after you’ve completed the configuration of your adapter. The problems and possible solutions presented here are for trouble that’s specific to adapters, not general network communications problems. For example, a failure to communicate may be the result of incorrect network settings, not the result of a problem with the physical adapter.
No adapter icon on the taskbar For computers running Windows 2000 or Windows XP, you can display an icon for your network adapter on the taskbar. The icon is handy because you can click it to open the adapter’s Properties dialog box (instead of using all the steps required to get to it through Control Panel). In addition, the taskbar icon displays error messages when a problem arises.
If you don’t have an icon for your adapter on the right side of your taskbar, open the adapter’s Properties dialog box and select the option to display one (the language differs depending on the version of Windows).
Two adapter icons?
I get a great many calls from people who say they have two adapters listed in Control Panel (and two icons on their taskbars).
If you’re using Internet Connection Sharing to share a DSL or cable modem that’s attached to a computer (instead of using a router), the computer that has the modem is supposed to have two adapters. One adapter is connected to the modem with Ethernet cable, and the other adapter is connected to the network with the type of wiring you’ve chosen for your network.
Installing Network Adapters
If you’re not using ICS, you don’t need two adapters. If your computer has a built-in adapter (usually Ethernet), and you installed an adapter for another type of wiring, you can remove the Ethernet adapter (in Windows 98SE/Me)
or disable it (in Windows 2000/XP):
To remove an adapter in Windows 98SE or Windows Me, open Control Panel and double-click Network. Select the adapter you’re not using and click Remove.
To disable an adapter in Windows 2000 or Windows XP, open Control Panel and open Network and Dialup Connections. Right-click the listing for the adapter you’re not using and choose Disable.
If you use a PC card on a laptop that’s displaying two adapters, and you’re absolutely sure there is no built-in adapter, the problem is that you don’t use the same PC card slot every time you insert your adapter.
Windows treats each PC card slot as a unique device, with its own hardware identification, and it retains information on inserted devices even when they’re no longer inserted. If you open Device Manager and examine the hardware Properties of both adapters, you’ll find that one adapter is displaying an error indicating that it’s not connected (for a wired network), or indicating no signal can be found (for a wireless network).
It’s perfectly safe to ignore the duplicate connections, because the PC card that’s inserted will work properly. If the situation bothers you, just remember to use the same PC card slot every time you insert the adapter.
Then disable or remove the other connection, using the directions earlier in this section. Cable Unplugged error In Windows 2000 and Windows XP, an adapter icon may display an error indicating a network cable is unplugged. The error may be in a balloon over the taskbar icon (which is probably displaying a red X on top of the icon), as shown in Figure 2-5, or in the status message that’s displayed when you select the adapter in Control Panel.
An unplugged cable means a problem:
Network Basics
Of course, the first thing to do is check the cable connection on the adapter.
Even if the cable appears to be connected, give it a push to make sure it’s plugged in properly. If the connection is good, check the connection at the concentrator (hub, switch, or router).
If the connections seem to be okay, move the connector to another port on the concentrator. Unplug a cable you know is working (because the computer it’s connected to isn’t displaying an error message), and plug the cable from
the errant computer into that port. If that works, the port is bad on the concentrator.
A bad port almost always means the concentrator is having a problem that will soon spread to the other ports (which translates to “you need a new concentrator”).
If changing the port doesn’t work, change the cable. Run another cable between the computer and the concentrator. If that works, toss the old cable in the trash can.
If neither of those steps cures the problem, the adapter is probably bad and needs to be replaced. If your warranty is still in effect, contact the manufacturer for a replacement.
No Signal Can Be Found error
For a wireless adapter, the error No Signal Can Be Found is the equivalent of the Ethernet “Cable Unplugged” error. It means the adapter can’t find the network.
Start by checking around the computer (and its adapter) for interference. Is the computer near metal (such as a file cabinet) or a cordless phone base unit? If so, move the computer (always move closer to the Access Point) to
see if the adapter can find the signal.
The problem may be distance, or interference you can’t easily see (such as metal in the walls). To determine if this is your difficulty, try moving the computer into the same room as the Access Point. If the signal is restored, move back towards your original computer location in small increments. When you lose the signal, you know you’re past the point of connectivity and you must relocate the computer.
If you can’t get a signal anywhere, and you know the adapter’s settings and your network configuration are correct, your adapter is probably bad. If it’s under warranty, arrange for a replacement.
