Are network cards (i.e. ethernet) for a PC compatible or do I need to find one specific for my computer?
I have an HP Pavilion and the LAN stopped working (I hooked up my laptop directly to the router and it works, so the router is fine) so I’m pretty sure the network card in my pc failed. I’ve never replaced one, and am hoping I can just go to Best Buy, CC, etc and grab one for cheap.
9 Responses
Summer Fun Man
12 Aug 2010
Brian
12 Aug 2010
generally universal usage for the cards
Jag
12 Aug 2010
Ethernet cards are pretty standardized fare. A PCI based card will work with most desktop systems. A PC card version will work with most laptops including PC and Mac variants.
Wonder
12 Aug 2010
See the attached specs. Looks like you need a 10/100 Base-T Fast Ethernet Interface.
http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bc/docs/support/SupportManual/bph08554/bph08554.pdf
-MM
plui234
12 Aug 2010
Absolutely.You can buy any network card and put it in there.Just amke sure you install the drivers.Most times you dont need to with network cards.Be careful when installing it.Slide it in easy.I do think however that you need to go the hp website and redownload the drivers for your pc since the drivers might have gone corrupted.Go under tech support know your hp pc kind and model and redownload the driver.It will save you 20 bucks
garucry
12 Aug 2010
you can go to best buy or cc to buy an ethernet or wireless network card. I always buy the Netgear brand with 802.1x with "g" being pretty fast and works with older routers.
Inside the computer, this is pretty much a plug in play kind of card. Unplug the old one from your motherboard and plug in the new one. Once your computer is booted back up, install the drivers from the included CD, configure your router, and you are all set.
Good luck!
Dave K
12 Aug 2010
Best place to buy one would be online. Check out these stores.
You can find sweet deals there. Also it’s easy to install, just open the computer, make sure all the static electricity is gone so you don’t fry your motherboard. Take the old one out, then put the new one in exactly where the other one is. If the card comes with a cd, make sure you install the drivers so it’ll work correctly even though most network cards are plug and play. Good luck with that.
colanth
12 Aug 2010
The slot has to match the type of card – yours is probably PCI. You can even get good cards at Wal-Mart – they carry Linksys. That’s all I ever use in commercial network installations, unless I need Cisco (which you don’t want to spend for).
Stephen H
12 Aug 2010
They are not computer brand specific. What matters are the interface type (i.e. PCI, PCI-X, PCI Express, PCMCIA, ISA, etc) and the Ethernet Speed (10-base-T, 100-Base-T, Gigabit, etc). Most desktop PCs use PCI interface. Most Laptops use PCMCIA. Some servers use PCI-X, PCI Express, and others. ISA is used for very old computers. Basically determine which slot type your PC uses and buy an appropriate card.
Most home users will probably use 100-Base-T these days. Many businesses go for Gigabit. It will however depend on which type of router or switch you are connecting to.
Some name brands of Ethernet Cards include Linksys, Cisco, NetGear, 3Com, D-Link, and others.
Which PC: your laptop PC or your desktop PC (the Pavilion)?