No LAN connection w GA-Z68XP-UD3

[Dark Mantis]

I certainly wouldn't disable the Azalia driver as that is your sound. You could try disabling the USB3 and ESATA though just for faultfinding purposes.

As you said it happened after installation of some updates try rolling the system back to before it happened and assuming that cures it make sure that you test the new updates one by one when you install them.

[Aussie Allan]

  Azalia was for fault finding  too DM.....probably the best way forward the other advice......do you remember this coming up before rather recently ?.....thanks for having a peek-a-boo!

  Aussie Allan

[NCsleeves]

I'm tempted to back all the way up, reinstall Win7, and then hit the drivers.  Any recommendation for sequence of driver installation?  I think I'd do the Intel INF first, then Realtek LAN driver - but I don't have any idea if that's ideal or what should come next.  Maybe it doesn't matter - I haven't been able to find any conversation on that in the forum.

BIOS should be good at this point w F7 installed.

Thanks again for all your help AA and DM. 

Allan, I've been to Melb for the last 6-7 Januarys - my job takes  me  to the Australian Open.  Not quite as exotic as it sounds, since I spend the tournament watching computer monitors in the bowels of Hisense Arena.  But still a good trip every time so far.  A great break from winter for sure.

[Dark Mantis]

Yes, chipset, then LAN and all the rest. Not really important which way around to be honest. If you are doing a complete re-install don't forget the enable AHCI mode before installing Windows.

[NCsleeves]

The PC wouldn't boot after I changed to ACHI in BIOS - BSOD. How much of a performance impact should I expect using IDE instead of ACHI, booting from SSD and using HDD for most storage?  I hesitate to mess with registry - though I guess it's not too much risk if I do it on a fresh install. 

[Aussie Allan]

   Welcome back NCsleeves

  Unfortunately .... when you take short-cuts ....it muddies the water so to speak ..... and odds on will introduce more little problems.....exponential really.

  When dealing with SSD Especially!... I prefer to get it right the first time ...... in ACHI.....clean install ...... then the right drivers ....... I'm sure you know what I mean

  The bottom line re performance ....IDE over ACHI .....between 5 and 10% ......but it's all the little features that ACHI gives you that will eventually drive you to have ACHI in the first place ....... if you had a choice between running DDR2 and DDR3......which one would you choose

  If you ever need a personal photographer at the open.....give me a call

  Aussie Allan

[NCsleeves]

Yeah, not sure if reinstalling from scratch is a short cut exactly, but..

After fresh Win7 install , loaded Intel chipset driver followed by Realtek LAN driver - still can't access network.  Ethernet diagnostics show same result:  IRQ and FIFO tests fail.   But according to  Microsoft http://goo.gl/H9ZQa, IRQ conflicts don't really exist any more.  It's likely to be a driver or BIOS issue.  Which seems to be unique to my motherboard?

Yeah, it's been a while since I built my own.  I'm clueless.

Allan, there have been several volunteers for personal sherpa but yours is the first for personal photographer.  You're at the top of the list!

[Aussie Allan]

  Daim!  ....It's gotta be a conflict of some description (hardware / Drivers) but where.....Another good place to start is do you have any cards taking up PCI slots?..... is there other slots to move them too/swap ( hardware IRQ) .... have a look at the links below as these should help you through changing IRQ in W7 ( take notes if you do)

  Realtek Function Driver for Realtek Azalia audio chip and  Intel INF Installation .... try going off-piste with these drivers and see if you can find later one ....quite often with my board......Gigabyte driver support drivers can be slow on the uptake.......look for later version numbers obviously ..... pay special attention to the INF driver (very latest, chech Intel website) and load it first!

  I think we've been through this but you have the latest Bios for your board?

 

  http://windows7themes.net/how-to-change-irq-in-windows-7.html

    http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_7-performance/irq-conflict-onboard-lan-and-sound-card-how-to/960a0b45-475c-44cd-b5ef-056ff6503e85

  Top of the list Huh!....   knew the novel approach would open doors ..... Love lear-jets

[NCsleeves]

OK, Gigabyte tech support sent a diagnostic procedure and the winner is....  dead LAN port.  The MAC address and drivers are all OK, but nothing coming inbound.  My guess is there is a bad solder joint or other connection problem between the LAN chip and the PCB or maybe between the PCB and the RJ45 connector.

That could explain the IRQ problem.  Maybe the audio problem if the issue was margiinal solder bath. (Or whatever surface mount process manufacturers use to afix soldered components to PCBs these days.)

Thanks again for all your help, DM and (especially) Allan.  I feel bad for having squandered so much of your time.  Your willingness to help has been extraordinary, and greatly appreciated.

[Dark Mantis]

No problem only to pleased to be of assistance. Allan do you need anyone to carry your camera equiptment ?

[Aussie Allan]

  Didnt fix the problem DM! .... so I think I lost the assignment ....... BUGGER! ..... crook LAN port was my next port of call! .....But my now not new boss beat me to the punch

  NCsleeves .......In the nicest possible way......excellent result ...... a definitive answer and RMA is far more satisfying then weeks of "eye twitching trouble shooting"

  Keep well

  Aussie Allan

[NCsleeves]

Well, got replacement board late this afternoon.  With help of 4 yr old granddaughter, had the old one out and the new one installed in 45 minutes or so.  Including a timeout to explain the difference between "plus" and "minus" screwdrivers.

Fired her up (PC, not granddaughter - she's fired up enough as it is), installed the latest LAN driver...  and had the same exact problem!!  Fortunately, granddaughter had joined Nana at the far end of the house by that time.  Real bad feeling in the pit of my stomach too.

So..  uninstalled the LAN driver and reinstalled everything from the Gigabyte CD that accompanies the  mobo.  Viola!  LAN connection works!  I'm tempted to retry with the old mobo - but it's all packed up in its UPS box for return.  

Unbelievable.  Kicking myself for not trying that last time round.  

Oh wait.  Forgot to set ACHI in the new mobo before installing Windows. Grrr.

Change BIOS, reinstall Windows, reinstall drivers from Gigabyte CD.

No LAN connection.  ARRRGH!!!!

And then, without me doing anything, after 10 minutes go by...  the LAN is active.  What next?!

Stay tuned.

[NCsleeves]

After a shutdown and reboot - no LAN connection.

This is *painful*

[Dark Mantis]

Very funny indeed! I think we may well be missing something basic here so lets go back to the start and do everything from the ground up and in order. Keep grand daughter away for her sake and yours!

Some of this may seem like a waste of time but please just humour me and follow the instructions. Firstly post a list of your hardware make and model please. You can put it as a signature at the end of your post if you like.

The next thing is to remove the motherboard form the case and test it on the workbench.

Make sure that you observe anti-static precautions.

Lay some cardboard or use the motherboard box that is non-conductive on the worktop and remove the motherboard/CPU/heatsink/fan/buzzer/one stick of memory/graphics card and PSU from the case and put it on the cardboard. Add the keyboard and mouse and try and boot. The system should try and make a beep or series of beeps. Please post what sounds it makes.

[Aussie Allan]

 I got DM the Moderator to come in on this one as I am really frustrated that we can't nail this one down .... two good heads might be better.

 Worth taking it to the next level as DM suggests below .... one last thing you can try before getting the phillips driver set out though.....can you try another LAN/DATA Cable for me.........the reason I don't usually mention this is Windows 7 will usually pick up a doggie Ethernet cable with an error message but who knows this time!

                               AND

  The Gigabyte install CD/DVD is usually way out of date re drivers ..... give it to the dog or Granddaughter to ensure it's destruction and use the Bios and drivers off the website only......F5 and F6 is out now for starters......Realtek LAN Driver   7.046   3.46 MB   2011/07/08 .... is this the version you have installed and this........Realtek Ethernet Diagnostic Utility   1.0.0.4   3.77 MB   2010/04/29 will be worth a shot too......Here's the page for your board downloads Bios and or drivers........make sure of your windows version as well ......http://www.gigabyte.com/products/product-page.aspx?pid=3912#dl

  Happy plumbing

  Aussie Allan