Unstable Internet Connection

[pcg999]

I have recently built a new computer by myself. The specs are as follows:

Abit AN8 32X motherboard
2.2GHz AMD Athlon 64 X2 4200+ Processor
1GB (2 x 512MB) Dual Channel DDR400 RAM (CL 2.5)
Asus GeForce 7900 GT (Forceware Drivers Version 83.91)
DirectX 9.0c installed
Microsoft Windows XP Professional x64 Edition SP1, fully patched

I am hooked up to a DSL internet service. Basically I'm having trouble maintaining a good internet connection for more than several hours at a time. (I get disconnected from the internet for about 30 seconds every 4-5 hours.) This may not seem very bad, but it's just very annoying.

My network controller card is something called nVidia nForce Networking Controller . Whenever I lose my internet connection, it says the device is disabled. Within several seconds though, it is re-enabled and I gain internet access again.

I have observed this pattern of - one thirty-second disconnect every 5 hours - pattern for two days now. The other computers that are connected in my house do not have this problem. I am thinking that it might have something to do with the Nvidia Nforce Networking Controller. I have already installed the most recent drivers for this, but it yielded no changes.

Anyone have any suggestions?

[mjc]

Sounds like a possible resource clash. It would be hard to impossible to reassign the onboard card resources.

Your best bet may be to disable it and isntall a dedicated NIC.

[pcg999]

I have been in the market looking for a dedicated card. however, I can't find any that have 64-bit drivers available.

Also, what is the difference between a "Network Interface Card" and a "Gigabit Ethernet Card"?

[mjc]

NIC...generic name

Gigabit....a specific speed of NIC

[pcg999]

Thanks MJC.

Well I have done more searching for any Ethernet cards out there that have 64-bit drivers available, but to no avail. D-Link and Linksys don't have 64-bit drivers to them, or at least, I can't find them.

Does anyone know of some?

[mjc]

that does tend to limit your choices...

You may want to go through your BIOS options and disable any onboard items that you aren't using.

[pcg999]

Yes, I have already done that. I haven't seen any real improvements to my internet connection stability though.

D-Link will supposedly have 64-bit drivers ready by summer. Hm, I guess I will have to wait until then.