Do I have an ethernet card?

Did you initialize the drive in control panel, administrative tools, computer management, disk storage?

You can buy any network card and install it to your computer. All you need to figure out is what type you want to get,

PCI card or USB

Wired or Wireless

What kind of memory card are you talking about?
If it's one of those cards from a camera, PDA, etc, it should be on the front of the computer, if you purchased that option.
The normal XPS 400 does not have a memory card reader.

This is onr example of a Network adapter, or also know as an Ethernet Adapter Card,

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=686143&CatId=200

This is Dell Support >XPS 400 desktop computer > Service Manual,

http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/xps400/sm/index.htm

1) Work on a table. Computer off, and unplugged from power, open the computer case.

(Removing the Computer Cover, in the list)

2) Follow Anti-Static precautions.

[Anti-Static Precautions:

Your body carries Static electricity.
Static will fry out (Short Circuit) the delicate hardware components, inside a computer.

To relieve your body of Static, TOUCH the metal frame of the open computer case.
Should you leave your computer in the middle of working on it, upon your return be sure to Touch the metal frame again ]

3) View the motherboard inside your computer.
(The motherboard is also referred to as the Mainboard, {Proper speak}, and System Board)

Technical Overview > System Board Components,

http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/xps400/sm/techov.htm#wp1053398

Viewing the illustration of the motherboard, the Ethernet Adapter Card example I gave above, would go in either one of the PCI expansion slots.

These are white in color, and in the illustration are labeled - PCI Card Connectors.

If there is already an adapter card installed in both PCI expansion slots, then see if the PCI Express x1 expansion slot is open.

In reality, PCI Express is a better technology than PCI.

Shown on the motherboard as PCI Express x1 Card Connector.

This is an example of an Ethernet Card, (Ethernet Adapter Card), that uses the PCI Express x1 expansion slot,

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4675156&CatId=200

The reason I have suggested buying, and installing an Ethernet Adapter Card is threefold.

1) You may have your Ethernet cable plugged into the Ethernet port of the computer,

http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/xps400/sm/about.htm#wp1053567

[Number 3 - Network Connector],

and the built-in Ethernet is no good.
Reinstalling drivers May help, but the above is a sure thing.

2) You have an Ethernet Adapter Card plugged into one of the PCI slots, or the PCI Express x1 slot, and the Ethernet adapter card is no good.
They do go bad, and are economical to replace.

3) There was an Ethernet Adapter Card installed previously, but taken out before you received the computer.

You might need a new Graphics card and a 400 w power supply. also, try cleaning it (the fans and HS's

Ahead Nero

Mike,

I would recommend for you to try different monitor, so that you can isolate the problem.

If same problem occur, try to plug in your video card into another PCI slot in your computer. Cleaning the gold fingers of the video card with a clean cotton cloth might help.

Use a blower to remove some dust on the PCI slot.

Or try inserting the video card in another computer. If you get the same problem on another computer, you need to replace the card.

Good luck!

You shouldnt need to unsrew anything on the xps 400.. Everything the case opening and the pci card screws should also be a latch!

Try These Things: 1 Shut Down Computer, 2 Unplug Ethernet Cable From Modem, 3 RESET MODEM, 4 Plug Back in Ethernet Cable From Modem To Computer and 5 Power On Computer. That Should Help You.

More likely it's the ethernet card or your ISP, (Internet service provider). Do this. Open control panel, open system. Click the hardware tab. Than click device manager button. Scroll down to network connections. Click the + sign which will open the network. Do you see a yellow ! point?
If you do than you need to re-install the network driver software. Click the link below, it will take you to Dell's web site. Listed there will be all the drivers for your XPS 200.
http://support.dell.com/support/downloads/driverslist.aspx?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs&ServiceTag=&SystemID=XPS/DIMENSION%20200/5150C&os=WW1&osl=en&catid=&impid=

Click the + sign next to Network. Download & install the
Intel - Driver. Also download & install the Intel - HTML file.
There is also a Intel - Diagnostics Utility that will check your network card. This file may already be installed on your PC.
How ever do not run the utility un-till you install the other two files. Once you know your network card is working than it's down to your ISP. That requires a phone call. If your network card fails
you can add a new PCI network card. I'll post a link to some below. If you feel you need a new cable buy what's called a CAT6 Rj45 cable to go from your modem to the PC.
Click the link for PCI network cards:
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=875257&CatId=200

Cable Rj45 CAT6
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/search.asp?cat=748&keywords=Rj45%20CAT6&mnf=

Both of these you can get at a local store. Opening the link gives you a picture to go by.
If you have more questions just post back here.

Good luck & kind regards.