Question:

How to troubleshoot the Intel Killer Network Adapter on a B760I motherboard after resetting the CMOS?

I have recently built a new pc with a B760I motherboard and a RAM that I overclocked. However, I had to remove the CMOS battery to fix a boot issue caused by the overclocking. After that, the Intel Killer Network Adapter stopped working and I could not connect to the internet. I tried using a USB adapter instead, but the speed was too slow for my needs. I am not sure if the problem is with the BIOS settings or the network adapter itself. How can I diagnose and solve this issue? Thank you for your help.

Answer:

The Intel Killer Network Adapter is a high-performance network card that can provide fast and stable internet connection for your pc. However, sometimes it may stop working due to various reasons, such as a faulty driver, a hardware issue, or a BIOS setting. In this article, we will show you how to troubleshoot the Intel Killer Network Adapter on a B760I motherboard after resetting the CMOS, which is a common scenario that may cause the network adapter to malfunction.

What is the CMOS and why do you need to reset it?

The CMOS (Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor) is a small memory chip that stores the BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) settings of your motherboard. The BIOS is a firmware that controls the basic functions of your pc, such as booting, hardware configuration, and power management. The CMOS is powered by a small battery on the motherboard, which keeps the BIOS settings intact even when the pc is turned off.

Sometimes, you may need to reset the CMOS to clear the BIOS settings and restore them to the default values. This can be done by removing the CMOS battery, which will erase the CMOS memory. You may need to reset the CMOS in the following situations:

• You have changed the BIOS settings and caused a boot issue or a performance issue.
• You have overclocked your CPU or RAM and caused instability or overheating.
• You have updated the BIOS and encountered a compatibility issue or a bug.
• You have replaced or upgraded your hardware and encountered a detection issue or a conflict.

In your case, you have overclocked your RAM and caused a boot issue, which required you to reset the CMOS by removing the battery. However, this may have also affected the network adapter, as the BIOS settings may have been changed or corrupted.

How to diagnose the network adapter issue?

Before you try to fix the network adapter issue, you need to diagnose the problem and identify the possible causes. Here are some steps you can follow to diagnose the network adapter issue:

• Check the physical connection of the network adapter. Make sure the network cable is plugged in securely and the network port is not damaged. You can also try a different cable or port to see if the problem persists.
• Check the device manager of your pc. Open the device manager by pressing Windows + X and selecting Device Manager. Look for the network adapter under the Network adapters category. If the network adapter is not listed, it means the pc does not recognize it. If the network adapter has a yellow exclamation mark or a red cross, it means there is a problem with the driver or the device. You can also right-click on the network adapter and select Properties to see more details about the status and the error code.
• Check the network settings of your pc. Open the network settings by pressing Windows + I and selecting Network & Internet. Make sure the network adapter is enabled and the network profile is set to Private. You can also click on Change adapter options to see more options for the network adapter, such as Disable, Enable, Diagnose, and Properties. You can also right-click on the network icon on the taskbar and select Troubleshoot problems to run the network troubleshooter, which can automatically detect and fix some common network issues.
• Check the BIOS settings of your motherboard. Restart your pc and press the Delete key repeatedly to enter the BIOS setup. Look for the network adapter settings under the Advanced or Integrated Peripherals menu. Make sure the network adapter is enabled and the settings are correct. You can also load the Optimized Defaults or the Fail-Safe Defaults to restore the BIOS settings to the factory values.

How to solve the network adapter issue?

After you have diagnosed the network adapter issue, you can try the following solutions to fix it:

• Update the driver of the network adapter. You can download the latest driver from the Intel website or the motherboard manufacturer’s website. You can also use a driver updater software to automatically find and install the best driver for your device. To update the driver manually, you can follow these steps:
• Open the device manager and right-click on the network adapter.
• Select Update driver and choose Search automatically for updated driver software or Browse my computer for driver software depending on your preference.
• Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the driver update.
• Reinstall the driver of the network adapter. Sometimes, the driver may be corrupted or incompatible, which can cause the network adapter to stop working. To reinstall the driver, you can follow these steps:
• Open the device manager and right-click on the network adapter.
• Select Uninstall device and check the box that says Delete the driver software for this device.
• Restart your pc and let Windows automatically reinstall the driver or manually install the driver from the Intel website or the motherboard manufacturer’s website.
• Replace the network adapter. If none of the above solutions work, it is possible that the network adapter is faulty or damaged, which means you need to replace it with a new one. You can either buy a new network card that is compatible with your motherboard or use a USB network adapter that can plug into any USB port. You can also contact the Intel support or the motherboard manufacturer’s support for further assistance or warranty service.

Conclusion

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Intel Killer Network Adapter is a great device that can enhance your internet experience, but it may also encounter some issues due to various reasons. If you have reset the CMOS and caused the network adapter to stop working, you can follow the steps in this article to troubleshoot and fix the problem. We hope this article has been helpful and informative for you. Thank you for reading.