R51 ethernet problems - led on and not recognized by os

[madkat]

Just got an R51 - 2887-AVG - at first intended "for parts" in order to replace some issues on my father's R51 (in my signature) - such as fan, english keyboard (to replace the italian one he's got) and power brick, and the rest - for spare parts.

It has the as-listed configuration, but for an extra 256mb RAM.
I have bought it as non-booting, with missing hdd cover and non-working ethernet.
Put a hdd cover, tinkered with the hdd pins and it booted, quite nicely i might say . Installed XP, all drivers, NHC, undervolted it and so on.
But the ethernet still not working - it is active in BIOS, but as soon as i push the power button - one of the LED's near the ethernet ports lights up and stays like that. In windoze it is recognized as "unknown device" - and i could'nt get any of the drivers to work...

Is it permamently busted - or is it any "trick" to revive it? - because i'll swap the keyboards, and sell this machine as "working" - it's really a shame to take it apart... maybe sounds silly but this is what i feel...

thanks
madkat

[ajkula66]

Download or borrow a copy of Linux "live" CD and boot from it.

If the LAN works there (make sure the cable is plugged while booting) you have a driver issue within Windows.

If it doesn't, you have a hardware problem.

Good luck.

[madkat]

Linux live CD... I'm a complete noob in this - but for everything is a first time

Thanks - and keep you posted.

edit: deleted stupid question

[madkat]

Tried in Linux - still no luck... so i guess the onboard network is fried...

[Harryc]

One more thing to check -
http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.ph ... t=ethernet

[madkat]

Thanks for the advice
This was the first thing i've checked - but not very carefully because it seemed almost impossible to me... but after i've read the link - tonight i'll take a closer look