Network adapter problems on WINDOWS 98

Hello,
I have a fairly old computer (purchased in 1999) and last week it
started exhibiting some strange problems, i.e., there were pale blue
pinstripes all over the desktop and then after a while it would go past
the Dell and the Windows logo, but it would have a black screen instead
of the desktop (mouse was still usable). The computer finally crashed
a couple of days ago and I managed to fix that by rebooting with the
cd-rom, unfortunately I am now unable to connect to the internet. When
I ran the troubleshooting software it said, "Network Adapter failed".
The Dell and my internet server technical support were not helpful at
all. Is there a solution to this problem or do I have to replace my
computer?

Thank you. Hope you have a lovely day!

<(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed) oups.com...
> Hello,
> I have a fairly old computer (purchased in 1999) and last week it
> started exhibiting some strange problems, i.e., there were pale blue
> pinstripes all over the desktop and then after a while it would go past
> the Dell and the Windows logo, but it would have a black screen instead
> of the desktop (mouse was still usable). The computer finally crashed
> a couple of days ago and I managed to fix that by rebooting with the
> cd-rom, unfortunately I am now unable to connect to the internet. When
> I ran the troubleshooting software it said, "Network Adapter failed".
> The Dell and my internet server technical support were not helpful at
> all. Is there a solution to this problem or do I have to replace my
> computer?
>
> Thank you. Hope you have a lovely day!
>

what started out seeming like a video problem , now has turned into a
network problem ...

I would have a close look at your motherboard to see if you have leaking
capacitors (funny smell , bulging tops ) if this is the case ...save your
information and look for another computer. if not ...

look in your device manager ...is there any indication of a problem with
your network adapter ? (yellow "!" , red "x" etc)

In article <(E-Mail Removed)>, (E-Mail Removed) says...

>what started out seeming like a video problem , now has turned into a
>network problem ...

Here is something that works for me if there is an odd problem which seems
like hardware or at least something flakey that might change if you were
(gosh) to kick the PC even by accident ...

Power off computer,
remove the card
use ink rubber to rub of any tarnish on the edge connectors on both sides
but if possible use static control measure ie. No nylon shirts or plastic etc
replace card
power up etc.

What seems to happen is the gold plating on the cards comes into contact with
tin plating in the edge connectors on the motherboards and this makes the
tin and gold form some intermediate alloy which is partially semiconducting
though it takes about a year or more for it to happen.ie Its current path
is disturbed by what happens when gold and tin are in contact for long
enough a period...

By rubbing off the tarnish it seems to remove this and improve the connections
and I seem to need to do this each 1 to 2 years on various systems from
Taiwan or HK etc without any other changes and the systems work again
for roughly another 18 months and seems to be influenced by the local
humidity as well - perhaps implying the gold on the plug in cards is not
real gold but something like Kynar or something that looks flashy but isnt..!

its one of those combinatorial metalurgical issues not thought out before
hand by the card makers talking to the motherboard connector makers or the
latter not listening or caring....

<sigh>

--
Regards
Mike
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