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M6500 network adaptor problem

Discussion in 'Dell Latitude, Vostro, and Precision' started by asalcedo, Sep 7, 2011.

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  1. asalcedo

    asalcedo Notebook Consultant

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    I recently got a prompt, out of the blue, saying that the Broadcom NetXtreme Gigabit Ethernet #2 driver had been installed successfully.

    It happened after waking the laptop from sleep. But no new software or hardware had been installed for days.

    Since then my Broadcom NetXtreme Gigabit Ethernet adaptor does not work. No flickering lights at the port.

    In Network and Sharing Centre I get "Unidentified network. Public network. No Internet access. Local Area Connection".

    I have tried installing the Broadcom driver from Dell's website several times. The latest two versions. No difference.

    Recently and after I had uninstalled the Broadcom NetXtreme program, I got a similar prompt saying Broadcom NetXtreme Gigabit Ethernet had been successfully installed. Note, this time there is no #2 at the end. Then, for a few hours, the ethernet adaptor worked fine. Lights were working too. Then same prompt about the #2 and the adaptor has since stopped working.

    Other than replacing the network card, what else should I try first?

    Thanks,

    Antonio
     
    asalcedo, Sep 7, 2011
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  2. Tsunade_Hime

    Tsunade_Hime such bacon. wow

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    Try purging the driver from the system and redownloading it? So it works but will not work after awhile? Have you tried a Linux live disc?

    Are you still under Dell Warranty? I would have them take a look at it.
     
    Tsunade_Hime, Sep 7, 2011
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  3. asalcedo

    asalcedo Notebook Consultant

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    Yes, I am under Dell warranty and they will change the network adaptor if I decide to go ahead. But it is a big job and it may not fix it. Other than changing the hardware, they do not want to get involved any further.

    I did uninstall the Broadcom driver program but the driver is still there because it reinstalls itself automatically.

    Is there a better way fo truly remove the driver from the computer?

    I have no Linux experience.
     
    asalcedo, Sep 8, 2011
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  4. Bokeh

    Bokeh Notebook Deity

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    Windows Update pushed a new driver for the integrated NIC. I saw it, but did not download it.

    The timing of your issue and the fact that it would have installed in the background makes me think it could be the problem.
     
    Bokeh, Sep 8, 2011
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  5. asalcedo

    asalcedo Notebook Consultant

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    Hi Bokeh,

    I did think of something like that, but did not see in Windows Update History any new NIC driver installation.

    Anyway. Is there a way to fully remove any driver, including any potential new Windows pushed driver, and start from scratch?

    Thanks,

    Antonio
     
    asalcedo, Sep 9, 2011
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  6. Tsunade_Hime

    Tsunade_Hime such bacon. wow

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    Did you try going into Device Manager and when you right click on the ethernet controller uninstall and check the option of deleting the driver software? Alternatively you can manually go into the registry and delete values there (make sure you back up your registry and you know what you are doing..)
     
    Tsunade_Hime, Sep 9, 2011
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  7. asalcedo

    asalcedo Notebook Consultant

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    I see in Device Manager the option to uninstall (which I have done before), but I do not see an option of deleting the driver software.

    I also went into the registry, but there were so many entries for the driver that did not feel comfortable touching anything there
     
    asalcedo, Sep 9, 2011
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