I have a old Dell latitude CP that I still use as a print server and ftp
server running 2kSP4. It has been working great 24/7 for a couple of years.
But in the last couple weeks I had trouble uploading my backup from it. I
keep losing the connection until I can't get a LAN connection.
Then I realized it was the network connection. It has a Xircom PMCIA NIC
10/100 plugged into a DLINK 8 port switch plugged into a Netgear 314
router. First I swapped out the cable, no change, so then I plugged the
cable directly into the 314 router/ switch... it still didn't work.... then
I plugged it into a new SMP 1000 switch, and it worked fine. But here is
the odd part. everything else I plug into the Dlink switch works OK. But
this Xircom has to be plugged into the SMP switch in order to work after
running in the Dlink Switch for the last couple of years.
I am wondering if the SMP is the only thing that is providing enough power
to a the NIC ...which is showing the first signs of death??
Any thoughts?
