How to Disable the Compaq Onboard NIC

You can disable the onboard NIC to protect your computer.

Many Compaq computers come with a network interface card (NIC) built into the system board. This makes it easy for computer owners to pull the PC out of the box and get it on the company network or Internet right away. There are times, however, when the NIC will need to be disabled. Some companies use their own NIC to connect company equipment to the network, and in order for that third-party card to work correctly, the onboard NIC would need to be disabled. Also, system administrators might not want certain computers, like those containing proprietary information or trade secrets, to be connected to the outside world.

Instructions

1. Log on to the Compaq computer and click on the "Start" button. Choose "Control Panel" from the list of options.

2. Double-click the "System" icon and click the "Hardware" tab. Click the "Device Manager" button.

3. Expand the plus (+) sign next to the "Network Adapters" section and find the onboard NIC. Right-click on that NIC and choose "Disable" from the list of options.

References

• Microsoft: How to Troubleshoot Hardware Problems With Device Manager