Thanks for all that SAAB.................I've just had a chance to run some checks on the system, and I think the problem is 'old age' !!
The computer is an old year 2000 vintage 733MHz Dell, analysis reveals the bios supports PCI 2.1, whereas the NIC card requires 2.2. Slots are 2.1 also.
The old girl has been upgraded a lot over the last 6 yrs, so I'll probably get a new mobo and shovel all the good bits into the case.
Appreciate the help
moley.