NIC needed for Dell Inspiron 5100?

[Guest]

Archived from groups: comp.sys.laptops (More info?)

I just signed up for Verizon DSL service and am trying to install on a Dell
Inspiron 5100 laptop. The installation CD tells me I need an NIC to complete
installation. There is an ethernet connection on the back of the laptop and
the manual says nothing about needing an NIC to hook up to high-speed internet.
Is there a problem with Verizon, the laptop, or do I need an NIC? If so ,
what NIC should I get?

Thanks,
Fred

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: comp.sys.laptops (More info?)

On 13 Jan 2005 22:45:06 GMT, predestin8@aol.com (Predestin8) wrote:

>I just signed up for Verizon DSL service and am trying to install on a Dell
>Inspiron 5100 laptop. The installation CD tells me I need an NIC to complete
>installation. There is an ethernet connection on the back of the laptop and
>the manual says nothing about needing an NIC to hook up to high-speed internet.
> Is there a problem with Verizon, the laptop, or do I need an NIC? If so ,
>what NIC should I get?


Are you able to use the ethernet connection? Anything shows under
Network Adapters under Device Manager?

If you have it, it works, then that's all you need, else u need to
purchase a mini-pci NIC (Network Interface Card) from Dell.

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: comp.sys.laptops (More info?)

oh, u maybe able to request a USB broadband modem from Verizon (some
modems accept both), but ethernet is alot nicer.

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: comp.sys.laptops (More info?)

predestin8@aol.com (Predestin8) writes:
> I just signed up for Verizon DSL service and am trying to install on
> a Dell Inspiron 5100 laptop. The installation CD tells me I need an
> NIC to complete installation. There is an ethernet connection on
> the back of the laptop and the manual says nothing about needing an
> NIC to hook up to high-speed internet. Is there a problem with
> Verizon, the laptop, or do I need an NIC? If so , what NIC should I get?

NIC means network interface card, i.e. ethernet. That is, you have
it already.

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: comp.sys.laptops (More info?)

bobb wrote:
> oh, u maybe able to request a USB broadband modem from Verizon (some
> modems accept both), but ethernet is alot nicer.

Why is ethernet better? It's no faster to connect to a DSL link, even 11b
will connect as fast.

Regards,

James

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: comp.sys.laptops (More info?)

On Fri, 14 Jan 2005 00:30:40 GMT, "JHEM"
<James@ESAD.SPAMMERS.thinkpads.com> wrote:

>bobb wrote:
>> oh, u maybe able to request a USB broadband modem from Verizon (some
>> modems accept both), but ethernet is alot nicer.
>
>Why is ethernet better? It's no faster to connect to a DSL link, even 11b
>will connect as fast.


Don't care about speed. Just that ethernet can be used for something
else other than your broadband connection. JHEH, I've seen u before,
I'm surprised u'd ask that. U got ethernet, you got a LAN. Not that
you cannot have a USB LAN, but ethernet, well, works for everything.
If u tell me broadband is all u care about, EVER, then just ignore.

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: comp.sys.laptops (More info?)

Predestin8 wrote:
> I just signed up for Verizon DSL service and am trying to install on
> a Dell Inspiron 5100 laptop. The installation CD tells me I need an
> NIC to complete installation. There is an ethernet connection on the
> back of the laptop and the manual says nothing about needing an NIC
> to hook up to high-speed internet. Is there a problem with Verizon,
> the laptop, or do I need an NIC? If so , what NIC should I get?

NIC = Network Interface Card = Ethernet.

Regards,

James

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: comp.sys.laptops (More info?)

bobb wrote:
>
> Don't care about speed. Just that ethernet can be used for something
> else other than your broadband connection. JHEH, I've seen u before,
> I'm surprised u'd ask that. U got ethernet, you got a LAN. Not that
> you cannot have a USB LAN, but ethernet, well, works for everything.
> If u tell me broadband is all u care about, EVER, then just ignore.

My comment was made WRT the OP's question about connecting his laptop to his
DSL modem and your response that he'd be "better" off connecting via an
ethernet cable vs. a WiFi connection.

Overlooking the fact that installing a WiFi NIC in the laptop doesn't
automatically mean that you lose your ethernet capability, how would the OP
be better off connecting to the DSL modem via ethernet vs. WiFi?

Regards,

James

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: comp.sys.laptops (More info?)

On Fri, 14 Jan 2005 03:32:13 GMT, "JHEM"
<James@ESAD.SPAMMERS.thinkpads.com> wrote:

>My comment was made WRT the OP's question about connecting his laptop to his
>DSL modem and your response that he'd be "better" off connecting via an
>ethernet cable vs. a WiFi connection.
>
>Overlooking the fact that installing a WiFi NIC in the laptop doesn't
>automatically mean that you lose your ethernet capability, how would the OP
>be better off connecting to the DSL modem via ethernet vs. WiFi?


I re-read the OP's Q again, there was no mention of WiFi. I think he
just wanted to know whether the "NIC" as requested in th DSL
documentation refers to his ethernet jack. Then soon I remembered
brodband providers sometimes give u a choice of ethernet or USB
interface to the modem, and if OP's don't already have a NIC, then
using the USB interface, which is built-in in all modern notebooks,
would be a cheaper way to go, although I did throw in the "ethernet
nicer" comment 'cuz as I explained it, it is.

Now to your WiFi bit. Yes, WiFi better than hardwired ethernet. If OP
is thinking ahead, then yes, I would purchase a WiFi mini-pci adapter
rather than an ethernet adapter, and of course need to spend another
$60 bux or so for the WiFi Access Point.

Sorry OP, u need to jump in else I feel like being presumptuous
telling what you need.

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: comp.sys.laptops (More info?)

Predestin8 wrote:
> I just signed up for Verizon DSL service and am trying to install on
> a Dell Inspiron 5100 laptop. The installation CD tells me I need an
> NIC to complete installation. There is an ethernet connection on the
> back of the laptop and the manual says nothing about needing an NIC
> to hook up to high-speed internet. Is there a problem with Verizon,
> the laptop, or do I need an NIC? If so , what NIC should I get?
>
> Thanks,
> Fred

You don't need any installation CD to connect to Verizon DSL. You do
need to enable a connection on the existing NIC using the Internet
Connection Wizard. Verizon uses Automatic Connection, DHCP. All you
need is your username@verizon.com, email password, and email server
addresses. Go to http/www.broadbandreports.com and the Verizon DSL
forum, and the FAQs.

Open Device Manager, Network Adapters, and verify that the ethernet
adapter is running.

Q

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: comp.sys.laptops (More info?)

Thanks for the reply...I'm a novice at this and am not really sure what I'm
doing (if you couldn't tell!). I have an ethernet port on the laptop and I've
connected to the modem Verizon supplied. The install CD stops the installation
after determining the computer needs an NIC in order to continue. I tried to
call Dell for clarification but the wait time was really long on the
phone...I'll try again. Thanks!

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: comp.sys.laptops (More info?)

On 14 Jan 2005 12:49:56 GMT, predestin8@aol.com (Predestin8) wrote:

>Thanks for the reply...I'm a novice at this and am not really sure what I'm
>doing (if you couldn't tell!). I have an ethernet port on the laptop and I've
>connected to the modem Verizon supplied. The install CD stops the installation
>after determining the computer needs an NIC in order to continue. I tried to
>call Dell for clarification but the wait time was really long on the
>phone...I'll try again. Thanks!


Many laptops have the ethernet port with the board driving it (NIC)
missing. Your user's manual probably refers this as an option (as in
if you want it enabled, more $$$). Read the manual while you are on
hold, this is probably what it is.

Best of luck.

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: comp.sys.laptops (More info?)

Quaoar wrote:
>
> You don't need any installation CD to connect to Verizon DSL. You do
> need to enable a connection on the existing NIC using the Internet
> Connection Wizard. Verizon uses Automatic Connection, DHCP. All you
> need is your username@verizon.com, email password, and email server
> addresses. Go to http/www.broadbandreports.com and the Verizon DSL
> forum, and the FAQs.
>
> Open Device Manager, Network Adapters, and verify that the ethernet
> adapter is running.

All good advice Q, except it's username@verizon.net!

As bobb has also mentioned, the mere fact that there's an RJ45 connector on
the back of the unit doesn't necessarily mean that he's got a NIC installed.

Hey, Predestin8, turn the laptop off, turn it over and open the mini-PCI
panel on the underside of the unit and check that you've actually got an
ethernet card installed! You might have a WiFi/modem card, in which case the
RJ45 connector is useless.

If there's a card there, let us know what it says as to make and model.

Regards,

James

 

[papa]

Archived from groups: comp.sys.laptops (More info?)

The Ethernet port on your laptop is the NIC you are looking for.

"Predestin8" <predestin8@aol.com> wrote in message
news:20050114074956.16666.00000002@mb-m16.aol.com...
> Thanks for the reply...I'm a novice at this and am not really sure what
> I'm
> doing (if you couldn't tell!). I have an ethernet port on the laptop and
> I've
> connected to the modem Verizon supplied. The install CD stops the
> installation
> after determining the computer needs an NIC in order to continue. I tried
> to
> call Dell for clarification but the wait time was really long on the
> phone...I'll try again. Thanks!

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: comp.sys.laptops (More info?)

Papa wrote:
> The Ethernet port on your laptop is the NIC you are looking for.

Except the OP has already stated that there's no response when he connects
to the RJ45 port.

Hence the suspicion that he doesn't have a mini-PCI ethernet card installed.

Regards,

James