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[ot] Help me fix my computer, please.

Alright, the short version is, "Do any of you know where I could download a complete copy of the Microsoft Homeclick software installation CD for a 3Com 10/100 MB (3C450) network adapter?"

The long version:

My internet explorer was having some problems -- whenever two or more internet windows were open, it would crash. This included pop-ups. Combine this with the fact that some software had wriggled its way onto my computer that causes me to get popups at random, regardless of what site I'm on, and I generally couldn't browse the internet.

I tried deleting and reinstalling internet explorer, but that didn't help. The problem was elsewhere. I ran Ad-aware programs, but they couldn't ferret out the issue. So I decided to back up all my files and format the hard drive, reinstalling from the get-go. After a few setbacks, I managed to get my computer back to the way it was, mostly.

The problem now is that to connect to my college's internet, I have to use an ethernet card. I've been using the same card for three years (a 3Com 10/100 mb card, I think model 3C450), and everything's gone fine, but I've lost the installation CD. Despite hours of effort, I have not been able to find the way to fix my problem.

I've installed all the drivers I need (I think) by downloading them from the 3Com website or getting them off my Windows 98 second edition update CD. I've also doublechecked all my network settings for the Emory University network -- I should be able to connect. But the computer still says there's a problem, which makes me pretty sure it is a problem with the device specifically. The computer recognizes that the device is there, and I haven't jostled it in any way that could have damaged it, I don't think, so it's probably not a hardware issue.

That leads me to hope that I just need to find a copy of the installation disk for my ethernet card's software, and that it will fix whatever tiny problem I've missed. But I have no idea where to find a copy of such a thing online, even if there is one.
 

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Cap'n Former Tech Support Dave to the rescue!

I need to know what version of Windows you're running. I'm guessing 98 SE? :D
 




1) This should be in the Computers Forum.
2) You RE-installed 98? It's not supported anymore. You shouldn't be installing 98 on any machine anymore - upgrade to 2000 or XP if you're installing from scratch nowadays. I'm using 98 1st edition, and always would rather have XP.
3) It's good that you tried Ad-Aware, but everyone should use Spybot Search & Destroy in addition to Ad-Aware.
4) There's nothing (AFAIK) that Microsoft would have put on this magical "Microsoft HomeClick Installation CD" that you shouldn't be able to get from 3COM's website.
You have the model #. Were the drivers on the website? All you should have to do is DL from 3COM, then Add the adapter card. But 98 is notoriously bad with networking - the OS wasn't designed with one in mind - just a desktop, so since it's an afterthought with the OS, 98 tends to be buggy in recognizing and configuring (and sometimes LOSING) network cards.

Good luck. 98 just isn't working that well anymore.
 

RangerWickett said:
Alright, the short version is, "Do any of you know where I could download a complete copy of the Microsoft Homeclick software installation CD for a 3Com 10/100 MB (3C450) network adapter?"

The long version:

My internet explorer was having some problems -- whenever two or more internet windows were open, it would crash. This included pop-ups. Combine this with the fact that some software had wriggled its way onto my computer that causes me to get popups at random, regardless of what site I'm on, and I generally couldn't browse the internet.

I tried deleting and reinstalling internet explorer, but that didn't help. The problem was elsewhere. I ran Ad-aware programs, but they couldn't ferret out the issue. So I decided to back up all my files and format the hard drive, reinstalling from the get-go. After a few setbacks, I managed to get my computer back to the way it was, mostly.

The problem now is that to connect to my college's internet, I have to use an ethernet card. I've been using the same card for three years (a 3Com 10/100 mb card, I think model 3C450), and everything's gone fine, but I've lost the installation CD. Despite hours of effort, I have not been able to find the way to fix my problem.

I've installed all the drivers I need (I think) by downloading them from the 3Com website or getting them off my Windows 98 second edition update CD. I've also doublechecked all my network settings for the Emory University network -- I should be able to connect. But the computer still says there's a problem, which makes me pretty sure it is a problem with the device specifically. The computer recognizes that the device is there, and I haven't jostled it in any way that could have damaged it, I don't think, so it's probably not a hardware issue.

That leads me to hope that I just need to find a copy of the installation disk for my ethernet card's software, and that it will fix whatever tiny problem I've missed. But I have no idea where to find a copy of such a thing online, even if there is one.
From what you describe, the two most likely causes are that the NIC is not installed properly, or the network settings are incorrect. It is also possible that you have some software installed such as a firewall that is blocking access.

1) Right-click on the "My Computer" Icon on the Desktop, left click on [Properties], [Device Manager]. See if there are are any Red X symbols or Yellow ! symbols. If so, write them down and see if any relate to your NIC. Also check to see if the NIC is listed in the list.

2) If all of that checks out, click on [Start], [Run], type "winipcfg", press [OK]. Change the Adapter to the NIC you have installed and write down the IP address, Subnet, Gateway, and DNS servers it lists there and let us know.


-Josh
 

reapersaurus said:
1) This should be in the Computers Forum.
The plea for help there has gone unanswered.

2) You RE-installed 98? It's not supported anymore. You shouldn't be installing 98 on any machine anymore - upgrade to 2000 or XP if you're installing from scratch nowadays. I'm using 98 1st edition, and always would rather have XP.

98 second edition. And I don't have XP or 2000 or anything else. Plus, the computer's 5 years old anyway, with only 6 gigs of space.

3) It's good that you tried Ad-Aware, but everyone should use Spybot Search & Destroy in addition to Ad-Aware.

I will bear that in mind in the future. Pop-ups are bad, but pop-ups that crash my computer are evil.

4) There's nothing (AFAIK) that Microsoft would have put on this magical "Microsoft HomeClick Installation CD" that you shouldn't be able to get from 3COM's website.
You have the model #. Were the drivers on the website? All you should have to do is DL from 3COM, then Add the adapter card. But 98 is notoriously bad with networking - the OS wasn't designed with one in mind - just a desktop, so since it's an afterthought with the OS, 98 tends to be buggy in recognizing and configuring (and sometimes LOSING) network cards.

I agree that it should be working. On the 3com website, I couldn't find an exact listing for a driver that works with my model of card. I found similar drivers and installed them, but apparently even the card I'm using isn't supported anymore. I don't know where to look online to find the drivers I need that won't require me to buy porn subscriptions or vote for the Top xbillion Warez sites on the web. Dammit, I hate people who think that it's okay to be an :):):):):):):) and screw with someone else's computer.

To use a driving analogy, it's like billboards jumping into the middle of the road and slashing my tires if I try to swerve to avoid them.
 

Brisk-sg said:
1) Right-click on the "My Computer" Icon on the Desktop, left click on [Properties], [Device Manager]. See if there are are any Red X symbols or Yellow ! symbols. If so, write them down and see if any relate to your NIC. Also check to see if the NIC is listed in the list.

NIC means Network Interface Card (or something similar)? Well, there is a yellow ! next to the network card in Device Manager. I'm using a public access terminal, and it's about a ten minute walk back to my home computer, but I'll go and check and then come back. Anything else you'd suggest I look for before I leave?
 

RangerWickett said:
The plea for help there has gone unanswered.

That is no excuse for posting in the wrong forum. Welcome, Mr. Wickett, to one of my biggest pet peeves. I hope you get your computer fixed, but this isn't the way to do it, and you darn well know it.

Thread closed!
 
Last edited:

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