What Is Wrong With This Computer?

Hi there. This is actually my first post here. Sorry about not putting it in the introduction thread but I came here for some help, yeah?
My mother has a windows hp vista home premium computer, fairly new, about 2-3 years? In the last year she's had major problems. Now, she's not exactly computer savvy, but she also has never actually broken a computer, or even downloaded anything too bad. But for some reason this computer just...
At first the video card went out. Apparently it just burnt out. Since it's integrated in the motherboard, they had to replace the whole thing.
About 8 months later the Ethernet card has gone out... That, at least, is what the tech guys have told my mother. According to them she needs to buy a new Ethernet card to plug in. And according to her it's actually cheaper just to buy the whole motherboard again. I'm not exactly sure of the legitimacy of that claim considering that on amazon I can buy one for about a buck. Maybe I'm looking at the wrong thing.
Hence the reason I came here for help!
Can anyone tell me if there's any particular type of Ethernet card we need to buy, if it would actually be cheaper to buy a whole new motherboard (I'm srsly doubting this), and if so, do we have to get a vista one again? I'm pretty good with computers but I'm not entirely sure about this... Isn't vista just the os, wouldn't we need boot disks to install it? If it is just easier to buy the Ethernet card, what kind would ya'll suggest?

 

Welcome to Computer Help Forums!

There should be a hardware specialist around soon. It really is not within my expertise.

 

I have just reread your post and have a few questions.

What is the manufacturer and model number of your computer and Motherboard.

While graphics cards are often integrated into a motherboard (but can be upgraded using a card) ethernet or LAN cards are usually separate. (I believe) If the "tech guys" have said that you need an ethernet card (assuming they are right) then buying a new motherboard will be of no help unless it actually is integrated.

An ethernet card for a dollar?

 

Just popped in to say hi, feonix!

As BeeCeeBee said, one of our computer Experts should be along very soon to help answer your questions about your Mom's computer - but isn't it awful when we can't trust so many of the computer shops - gentle sigh.

Anyway, I did noticed that you're pretty good with computers but if you do ever need help in basic step-by-step format, just let our Experts know and they will be more than happy to ensure each step is understood before going on to the next. Do hope you'll feel comfortable enough here to post in any of our other various computer areas, as well - and, of course, in our social area.

Again, a happy welcome to you, feonix!

Mara

 

Hi,

If I can add a little to what has already been said....

Replacing a motherboard is an expensive process.
( Your mother, from what you describe, does not need to do this ).
If you do replace the motherboard then, with Vista, you would probably need to reinstall the operating system.

I assume that your mother cannot access the internet?
Start > Run ....type in ...devmgmt.msc ....ENTER
Click the + next to "Network Adapters"
Are there any yellow exclamation marks or red Xs ?
What is listed?

Assuming that she does need a new card.....

I have not seen an ethernet card for $1
Take a look at the pictures in the previous post.

If you let us know the make and model number of your mother's computer we should be able to find the motherboard that is installed.
Unless you can let us know this?
From there we can let you know if you need PCI or PCIe when you buy the card.
You don't need to buy a card that matches the operating system - but you do need to buy one that fits your motherboard.

 

First of all, thanks so much for all the helpful comments. I really appreciate it.
Let's see. I'm not supposed to take the computer apart. (For some reason they don't really trust me to open it up, despite me having fixed all of our computers at one time or another. :/ ) So I got the information off the side. Like I said Hp pavilion vista... Let's see:
Product Key: Removed Product Key
OEmact?
the serial number: 00144-161-112-782
And some other number that isn't labeled 439112-001
I also used the run command to get to the device manager. I didn't see any network adapters, so I' not sure if that's because none of them are showing up or the ones on that computer would be under a different header. i looked through, but didn't immediately see anything promising. As I said, they don't really like me touching it haha. So I took a screenshot.
My parents are under the impression that the ethernet card is integrated. Even if it is, we can still simply plug a new one in can't we? (If I really need to... I probably do... I can convince my mother to let me get a quick peek inside tomorrow.)
Also, although it probably isn't what I need, this was one of the results for ethernet cards. According to reviews a complete waste of money, but I suppose I was more exaggerating anyway, haha.

On another note, yes it is really sad when we can't trust shops... Their computer may look jazzy but it's a complete waste to me. I owned a computer for over ten years. Ran slow as Christmas most times, but nothing ever just went out on it. Haha, I might need more help later, actually. My brother actually downloaded a virus on accident yesterday, and we ended up completely resetting my computer. It runs much better, especially considering it was second hand in the first place and never cleaned out correctly, but in the future I would like to avoid that if at all possible.

Hmm, those cards are what I was looking at, hopefully you can tell me which if any I can use from the serial number? Or point me to a site with the info, haha. Is there any recommendations for brands? There were quite a few with ranging prices, and although I'm on a budget here, I really don't want to get a piece of junk that will aggravate the problem further.
Anyway, thanks for all the help! I'll probably be on here a lot in the future, so nice meeting ya'll!

 

Haha, I didn't think so.
... The model number wasn't one of the numbers I gave you? Ha... um... How can I find that. I tried going to 'my computer' 'properties' but it wasn't there.
And the only thing under other devices is the webcam. If it's called 'network adapter' it's not under any of those headings, g.

 

Hi,

I know this works for XP - hopefully it should be the same with Vista:

Start > Help and Support

You should be given the Product Name / Number / Serial Number

EDIT:

A look inside the case will tell you if it is a card or integrated. ( see allheart55 post with pics ).
If it is integrated it is an integral part of the motherboard and cannot be removed.

You are going to have to go inside the case at some point