TCP/IP Does Not Function After Adding a Second Adapter

 Last reviewed: July 5, 1996
Article ID: Q151280
The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows NT Workstation versions 3.5 and 3.51
  • Microsoft Windows NT Server versions 3.5 and 3.51

SYMPTOMS

If TCP/IP is installed and working correctly under Microsoft Windows NT and you install additional network adapters of the same model, the computer may not be able to communicate with other hosts on either network.

CAUSE

The binding order of the network adapters may be influenced by bus slot number, I/O port address, or IRQ number. When one or more adapters of the same model are added to an existing configuration, the driver may bind to another network card instead of the adapter it was bound to in the previous configuration. As a result, the IP addresses configured for each adapter may not be assigned correctly. The adapters initialize properly, but do not communicate with other hosts on the network using TCP/IP. Other protocols may not exhibit this behavior.

RESOLUTION

Disconnect all but one one of the network cables, then use PING to determine which network IP adddress is still operational by pinging both local and remote hosts. Once this is determined you can either swap the IP addresses and default gateway on the affected adapters by using the Network tool in Control Panel, or physically swap the network cables between the affected network adapters.

KBCategory:
KBSubcategory:
Additional reference words:

THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY.

Last reviewed: July 5, 1996
© 1998 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Terms of Use.