MSBBN: Cannot set up third-party ethernet adapter for Microsoft Broadband Networking (820076)



The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Broadband Networking 10 100 Ethernet Wired Base Station MN100
  • Microsoft Broadband Networking Wireless Base Station MN500

SYMPTOMS

When you try to connect to your Microsoft MN-100 or MN-500 base station by using a non-Microsoft Ethernet network adapter, you may experience one or more of the following symptoms:
  • The Microsoft Broadband Network Utility (BNU) setup program does not detect your Ethernet port.
  • Your computer stops responding during setup.
  • You receive the following error message:
    There was a problem configuring your base station.

CAUSE

This issue may occur for any of the following reasons:
  • Your network adapter is not configured correctly.
  • Your Ethernet cable is defective, damaged, or is the wrong type of cable.
  • Multiple network adapters are installed on your computer.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this issue, use the following procedures in the order that they are presented until the problem is resolved.

Part 1: Rerun the BNU Setup Program

  1. Insert your Microsoft Broadband Networking Setup CD in your computer's CD-ROM drive, and then rerun the Setup program.
  2. On the What do you want to set up? screen, click Network Adapter, and then click Next.
  3. On the Which network adapter do you have? screen, click Non-Microsoft Ethernet network adapter, and then click Next.
  4. Follow the instructions on the remaining setup screens to complete the process.
  5. Test your connection.
  6. If the problem is not resolved, continue to the next section of this article.

Look for Faulty Cable

Look at the light on your base station that corresponds to the port number that you connect to. If the light is not on, follow these steps:
  1. Disconnect and reconnect both ends of the cable to make sure the connection is good.
  2. Plug the cable in a different port on your base station.
If the light does not turn on, you may have a damaged, defective, or incorrect cable. Use a different cable to connect to your base station.

Note Use the blue cable that was supplied with your base station. These cables are known to be extremely reliable.

Part 2: Look for Incorrectly Installed or Unnecessary Network Adapters

  1. Open Device Manager. To do so:
    1. Right-click My Computer, and then click Manage.
    2. In the left pane of the Computer Management window, click Device Manager.
  2. In the right pane of the Computer Management window, expand Network Adapters.
  3. Check the adapters that are listed under Network Adapters for the following:
    • Items that display a yellow "!".(The yellow "!" indicates that the adapter is not installed correctly.)
      Re-install the device or update the driver. If the device is defective, you may have to replace it. After you resolve your hardware problem, test your connection. Repeat part 1 of this article if you have to.
    • Network adapters that are not required or that do not exist on your computer.
      Turn off any network devices that are not required, and then test your connection. Repeat part 1 of this article if you have to.

MORE INFORMATION

For additional information, click the following article numbers to view the articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

814155 MSBBN: How to use Ping.exe to check your Microsoft Broadband network adapter

308007 How to troubleshoot home networking in Windows XP

810953 MSBBN: How to install the MN110, MN120, MN130, MN510, and MN520 network adapters


Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:7/16/2004
Keywords:kbprb KB820076 kbAudEndUser