Hello

I'm not sure, but I think that pingin loopback doesn't measure network activity.

If you want to test the network adapter, you should use testing software provided by the manufacturer. For example Intel Pro 10 Combo came with softset2.exe with whitch you can test all the adapters by setting one of the PC's to act as responder and the others to send packages to the responder. !Note! You'll have to boot the PC's to DOS with out ANY drivers in order to get the test working properly (press F8 during boot before the "Starting Windows"; choose "Line by line" NOT "Just command prompt" and answer no to all except himem.sys).

In peer-to-peer (=no servers, just workstations) ethernet is pretty unreliable when using BNC/Coax cabling. In fact you'd better power on all computers in the network when using any of the network services. HUB is better, but switch is best.