Is it my internet or network card? Hm..

Hey folks! I have a problem and I'm not sure how to solve it.

EDITED: I had to edit this entire post because I've narrowed down, significantly, what the problem might be. Thought I'd let all the readers know in case they're wondering about the initial responses below!

This post is specifically concerning my ethernet card, NOT my wireless card. I know a lot of people are normally only concerned with wireless, but I need my wired connection too! So any help would be much appreciated!

I have an Asus Z70va and my network card is a "Marvell Yukon 88E8001/8003/8010 PCI Gigabit Ethernet Controller". It claims to be using driver version 8.41.1.3 from 9/19/2005. I have not been able to find a newer version of this driver. (Heck, I haven't been able to find a CURRENT version of this driver!)

When I connect to my Marvell Yukon card my internet drops between 5-30 minutes. The only way to restart it is to disable the card completely and then re enable it. Even doing that is not a guarantee for success, as it will normally drop connection again shortly after. When connected speeds are slow.

It's important to note that Windows never notices anything wrong when the connection drops. It keeps saying I'm connected and at full speed. I have to manually disable the connection before it notices anything is wrong.

However, my wireless card works just fine. In fact, my connection is 10 times better and doesn't drop AT ALL.

To me this clearly indicates I have a something wrong with my Marvell Yukon card. I'm pretty sure it's a hardware problem, but it'd be a good idea if I could cross out the software aspect too. Here's what I want to know:

1: How can I make SURE this is not a driver/software problem?
(If I need to reinstall the driver, where can I find the latest drivers? I can't find it on the Marvel Yukon site. I'm not sure about safe alternative sites, so....)
2: If it turns out to be a hardware problem, can I replace the Marvell Yukon card? Is that possible?
3: How hard is it? Could I do it myself or would I have to hire someone?*

*It should be noted that I have pulled apart and put back together desktop computers before. I'm proficient and confident enough to repair my laptop if it can be done safely.

 

Yes, I would start by updating the drivers for your wireless card, and see if that works.

 

Also check you advanced setting on your card. There are some energy settings that will drop your power to save energy.

 

Thank you for your responses. Sorry it took so long to get back to you.

Reezin, It seems I have two different cards for different connections. When I posted the above I was talking about being directly connected (through wires), not through my wireless.

My wireless card is different from my other one. It's called "Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 2915ABG Network Connection".

But either way, it'd be a good idea to update both drivers. When I went to Marvell Yukon's website, I couldn't find the right driver. If anyone could help me with finding the newest drivers that would help a bunch.

Blue, When you talk about advanced settings, do you mean through BIOS or through the OS?

 

Marvell/Yukon is for your wired connection. That's the ethernet cable that you'd plug in. The Intel 2915ABG is your wireless card. That's what you want to make sure you have new drivers for.

 

Pita, Thank you. I knew the difference. I'll have to edit my original post to clarify. I'm talking about WIRED internet, not wireless.

 

The advanced setting is one the port connections, you will have options like constantly awake, .... Or allow this device to be powered down to save energy. Some of the advanced energy management have options for the nic cards. But you will find most all are in the advanced port properties.

 

First, if you could re-read my original post. I changed it to expand and clarify on several things.

Second, I feel REALLY DUMB for asking but where exactly do I find these port connections? Is it in the Control Panel, Network Connections, etc? I can do what you ask I just need to know where to look.

 

You can access them through the Control panels then select Network Connections. Will be under advanced properties. Some of the settings can also be found under CP/system/hardware/device manager then properties.

 

I went through Network Connections and I don't think I found anything like what you're talking about. I went through all the properties and all the advanced tabs I could find. Most of what I saw had to do with allowing programs to have access to the internet or Windows Firewall.

I'm not sure where else to look.

 

Bring up the system control panel.
Select Device Manage under the Hardware tab.
Select your wired network adapter.
Then Properties.

Then take a look at the advanced properties.

 

Ah, that was in a totally different place than what I thought it would be.

Since I don't know what ANY of this means I'm just gonna list what I have and it's value.
802.1p Support -Off
FlowControl -On
Hardware Checksumming -On
Interrupt Moderation -On
Jumbo Frames -Disabled
Log Status Messages -Status Messages
Max IRQ per Sec -5000
Network Address -Not Present
Number of Receive Buffers -50
Number of Transmit Buffers -50
Speed & Duplex -Auto-Sense
Wake From Shutdown -Off
Wake Up Capabilities -Magic Packet & Pattern Match

 

Change:
Wake From Shutdown to ON.
Wake Up form Capabilities to OFF if you do not use WOL.