This page is designed to be the main page for the computer networking section. Basically to sum it up, a network card is a piece of computer hardware, that is designed to allow computers to communicate over a network. Click here for the tutorial on how to install a network card. For example, a laptop computer would have both wired and wireless NICs. Your NIC may also be called an Ethernet card or a network adapter. However, there are different types and different categories of network cables. Go down to Network Adapters and click the Plus (+) symbol. Follow these steps to check on the NIC hardware: … If you have any questions about network cards, be sure to let me know or leave your opinion in the form below. Now I’m confused. A wireless router, which interacts with a network card. Double-click the Network Adapter entry to display your PC’s network adapter’s Properties dialog box. Network equipment manufacturers and contact information. How to Check Network Interface Card (NIC) Status Using Windows…, How to Stop Sharing a Folder in Windows 7 and…, How to Locate Large Files Using Windows Vista. Click OK to close the Properties dialog box. Full list of all computer network-related terms. Otherwise, the message reads This device is working properly. Download Network Card drivers for Windows, firmware, bios, tools, utilities eval(ez_write_tag([[250,250],'computer_hardware_explained_com-box-3','ezslot_0',106,'0','0']));eval(ez_write_tag([[250,250],'computer_hardware_explained_com-box-3','ezslot_1',106,'0','1']));So what is a network card? If your PC doesn’t have a NIC, adding one is easy. By disabling the device, you ensure that Windows doesn’t use it and instead uses another NIC that functions properly. There are wireless network cards, usb network adapters, typical network cards and more.eval(ez_write_tag([[250,250],'computer_hardware_explained_com-banner-1','ezslot_7',110,'0','0'])); When connecting computer network cards to eachother or even to a hub/switch or router, you need network cables. Whether the network interface card (NIC) is part of your PC’s motherboard circuitry or attached as an expansion card, you can inspect its status by using the Device Manager in Windows 7 and Windows Vista. Expand the Network Adapters item to view all network adapters installed on your PC. If your PC came with a NIC diagnostics tool, using it would be, obviously, a better option for checking on the NIC as well as for testing the NIC’s condition. Purpose Click on the Device Manager button. When you have multiple NICs, you can repeat these steps to review any problems or conflicts with each of the adapters. Any problems detected by Windows appear in that message box. Check the Start button’s All Programs menu. A laptop equipped with built-in wireless networking rarely has an external antenna; the antenna is there — it’s just inside the laptop’s case. Tech support scams are an industry-wide issue where scammers trick you into paying for unnecessary technical support services. See which devices can be replaced by a comparable USB device. What is a network card? Whether the network interface card (NIC) is part of your PC’s motherboard circuitry or attached as an expansion card, you can inspect its status by using the Device Manager in Windows 7 and Windows Vista. This card is usually found inside the computer, and may be wired or wireless. Many computers offer both options. That’s because bum devices are flagged with a yellow icon in the Device Manager. When those suggestions aren’t helpful, one alternative is to use another NIC. A network interface card (NIC) is a hardware component without which a computer cannot be connected over a network.