ok so we have this computer, when you plug the ethernet cable into the NIC no link or activity lights come on... so i brought my laptop down and tried the cable with my laptop, instant success. connection fine and everything.

so i get another NIC and try it out (both PCI) but it also doesnt link or activity.

Im pretty sure the PCI bus in general is ok because when i look at device manager it properly identifies each NIC as the proper card with chipset and all information. not matter if a cable is plugged in or not, windows still says there is no active media connection (aka no cable plugged in).

just fyi i did try each card in each of the two PCI slots, the windows install is fresh.

any ideas?

just out of curiosity, does your laptop have an intel nic? I'm wondering because, some of the newer intel laptop nics will "auto-negociate" on whether or not to use straight through or crossover. I guess check to make sure you have the right cable.

no, its an acer

and yeah its a straight through cable with proper wiring to the wall outlet, i checked both

BUMP

ideas?

is it possible both nic cards are bad? have you tested them in another machine?