Hello forum!
I'm new here, but this forum's reputation proceeds itself so I'm sure there's someone here who can help me.

I recently purchased a barebone kit from Tiger Direct that includes a PCChips P23-G (v3.0) motherboard. I've never done a build with a PCChips motherboard, and I must say I really like it (except for the problem I'm currently having). The motherboard is full-featured and the build quality seems excellent.

Anyhow, about the issue I'm having. The built-in ethernet adapter is not showing-up in device manager. Furthermore, when I plug an ethernet cable into the adapter, the connection/send-receive lights do not come-on. I have installed all the drivers on the included CD and have re-flashed the BIOS to the latest version, and nothing I do seems to turn-on the ethernet adapter.

I have been in contact with PCChips customer support, and they don't seem to know what the problem is. I get canned responses such as "try flashing the BIOS with the latest version" (which I had already done before even contacting them), "Enable on-board LAN in the system BIOS" (to which there is no option, I've been through the BIOS at least five times looking for it), and "turn-off the system for more than 10 seconds before restarting it" (I've had the system off for several hours at a time, and the hardware still isn't detected by Windows).

Has anyone else had a similar problem? Can anyone offer suggestions as to how I should get the ethernet adapter to be detected by Windows (and thus actually usable)??

I really want to try and resolve this on my own, their RMA process seems a little backwards (first YOU send your motherboard. They try to fix it and replace it if unsuccessful) and looks like I could be out of a computer for weeks if I have to go down that path.

Thanks a bunch,
-Mike

Hi Mike & welcome to PCHF - thanks for the compliment.

The LAN enablement is on the "features setup" screen of your BIOS (page 28 in your manual).

Do you have an ethernet port on the motherboard itself or do you have a CNR riser plugged into the motherboard?

**The Alternative**
I am going to come a little bit "left field" here as you have done soooo much to try and fix this %^*^&$ problem For the relatively low cost maybe it's worthwhile buying a PCI Network card (they are cheap thesedays). I know, I know, you came here for a fix but you've gotta admit, you have done your darndest to fix the critter.....and it does avoid the whole RMA situation.

Hengis,

Thanks for the response. Unfortunately, the manual you can download on the PC-Chips site is not the same manual I received with the motherboard. And unfortunately, I do not even have the 'Enable onboard LAN' option in the Features Setup of my BIOS. Which I find weird, because there most definately *IS* an ethernet adapter installed.

I think I might have to do like you suggest and just purchase a PCI ethernet card. Bummer
This WHOLE thing is only to make sure that some software that I'm also having trouble with (Rhapsody) isn't being blocked by my wifi router. Haha, what a waste...

Thanks again,
-Mike

Hello.

I am experiencing the exact same problem with a P23G montherboard from Tiger.
I cleared the bios and then the network adapter shows up in setup, but as soon as I restart windows 98, it dissapears again.

Hope this sheds some light. Let me know what you find out.

mac

Back Again,

I just fixed it! Here is how:
Turn the machine off, Jumper the clear_cmos momentarily on the motherboard next to the battery. When you reboot, press delete to start the motherboard setup screen, go to featues screen and you will NOW see the Eithernet listed. Select it, even though it says it is enabled. Disable it and press enter, then re-enable it and press enter. Hit F10 to save changes. It fixed mine!

Mac