Ethernet card addition

[cryhavoc]

My internet connections is 100 Mbps. The connection is wired (from my wireless router), The signal occasionally drops to almost nothing at times and the Cable Company tech says the problem is possible in my computer as a laptop has a strong connection with maximum speed. All connections have been check with the cable from the router to the computer replaced. The tech made mention of buying a separate Ethernet card as it appears the vault may lie in a motherboard connection. Does this sound a viable solution?

Motherboard ASUS H-97 Plus

 

[photonboy]

MAYBE.
You need to use the SAME (or proven) ethernet wire to the SAME ethernet slot on the router to prove it's not an issue with the ethernet connector on the router.

*Or just move the wire going to the desktop to the laptop instead; make sure it is using the ethernet and NOT wireless. If it still has a good connection then the issue is the PC.

If so, then the issue is either:
a) the ethernet hardware
b) the software (Windows issue?)

You must do basic troubleshooting by PROVING things work to isolate things that do not.

For example, to isolate the SOFTWARE on the PC with issues, you could boot a Linux distro on DVD or USB stick. If that works it's then a software issue within Windows. If still fails, use an ethernet card (then disable LAN in the BIOS, and of course make sure the cable is attached to the card).

Wireless is another option.

 

[cryhavoc]

The tech followed your suggestion; used the Ethernet wire connected to my router and attached to his laptop and the speed test showed maximum.

The reduction and variable signal strength is intermittent and that leads to me to believe the problem is hardware based, possible due to the heat associated with usage.