DX9.0C and onboard NIC issues.

[Poppa_Meth]

I work in a paint store and out color matching computer is on the fritz...again.
It's got XP Home SP1 on it and has been running fine until today. I believe a coworker was trying to use a demonstration disk sent in by one of our suppliers that prompted him to update DX to version 9.0c as found on the disk. He did so and rebooted. Everything seems to go fine except now the SQL server the matching software uses hangs for several minutes in stopped status when the PC is booted. After a few minutes something causes the diskette drive to activate briefly, the network connection icon finally loads (just saying no cable is connected since it's not online) and the the SQL icon goes to started status. Then we can load the color software fine. It does still work but it takes a rediculous amount of time to get it running after a reboot. I've system restored back to before the DX9 install and it "appears" to be back to 8.1 but the problem remains. I've also reinstalled the color software and it's SQL server software with no luck. Tomorrow I'm going to try different updated SQL and Direct X installs to see if I have any luck but I'm wondering if anyone can give me some insight before I start installing things and random and really muck it up.

[Soopafresh]

Could be several things. Have you looked at the system error logs ?

[Poppa_Meth]

I'm going to look through those tomorrow as well. I glanced at them briefly today but didn't have time to go in depth.

[Poppa_Meth]

I've got a lot of time32 errors which I'm not sure is a problem since there is no connection for it to update from. I also have a few errors to do with the network card not being able to connect, which is also expected but these are errors where in the past they have logged only as warnings. There is also an error about an IP address being assigned to the network card. This may have something to do with the problem as one of the last things to load after the SQL server finally starts is the network connection icon in the task bar. I'd post screenshots but this PC isn't even equipped with decent photo software. If I can get time today or monday I'll try to post screens of the errors.

I can't install updates to SQL because it's requiring a SA password be added to the SQL application and I cannot get it connected to the correct instance for some reason (have followed the instructions from MS on this) I've uninstalled the SQL and color matching software and reinstalled them. Everything is back the way it was but the problem persists. I'm not sure what to try next.

[Poppa_Meth]

I finally figured out that it doesn't have anything to do with the SQL server. Evidently installing DX9 has somehow caused issues with my onboard ethernet connection. I can disable the Intel 10/100 in device manager and the problem disappears. I've tried updating the drivers for the NIC and the Chipset drivers with no luck. Any suggestions?