Realtek LAN Driver disappears

brusse01 · 25 Feb 2009

Hi all,

For the most part Windows 7 has been running ok so far on my computer. The only issue that has me puzzled is my Realtek RTL8168C(P)8111C(P) Family PCI-E GBE NIC (onboard) just disappears after a reboot or a shutdown. I have to power the system totally down just to get it back.

I have updated to the lastest driver ( 1/20/2009 from Realtek.) Windows update tells me I have the latest driver installed. I also have tried disabling the power managemant and the driver still "disappeared" in Device Manager. I have IPV6 disabled as well.

Since my computer is fairly new and Vista Ready.. I thought I would try the driver that came on the motherboard install CD and same result. I am using a linksys USB wireless adapter and suprisingly it has proven to be more stable then my onboard Realtek. Not a major issue just a puzzle I would like to solve.

Specs:
Biosatr A770 AM2+ motherboard
ATI Radeon HD 4350 512 MB PCI-e Video
160 WD SATA HDD
Realek HD audio (onboard.. no issues)

Any ideas?

Thx!

NosferatuX · 25 Feb 2009

Well, defective Ethernet adapters are not really unheard of even though its quite rare as it follows the symptoms of a failing card.

Although, it might also be an indication of a corrupt driver installation. Try using older drivers and check it's stability as not all latest drivers are good for you

Personally, I'd do a clean install and test the NIC before ruling anything out.

Cheers

Digger · 25 Feb 2009

recheck bios config? possibly update bios?

brusse01 · 25 Feb 2009

hi and thx for quick reply...

I did a clean install because maybe the realtek driver was corrupt/? I left the ethernet plugged in during the clean install. Windows gave me a driver for it. Lets see how it goes. I shut down pc for a about 15 min and when I turned it on... the driver was still there and connected to network perfectly. The real test is when I shut it down for the night.......

By the way, I did do a double check in BIOS to make sure onboard lan was enabled and it was. As for a Bios update... that will be my next step if this clean install driver doesnt take.

Thx again for the help .... keep ya posted on driver success annd/or failure

ps.

out of curiousity I went to Biostar website to see about a BIOS update and it seems I have the latest .... no update needed. things that make ya go hmmmm.....

brusse01 · 26 Feb 2009

hi all....

After the clean install of Windows 7 and leaving the computer off all night the onboard Realtek NIC driver went "poof" once again. So I decided to install a old PCI D-link network card I had and BAM! Windows 7 instantly found it and installed a driver. Tested new card by browsing internet, putting into sleep mode, and shutting the pc down for a couple of hours. To my surprise.... network card worked like a charm. It showed up in Device manager... so maybe my onboard is a dud?! will test that theory when I install Vista on computer after the Beta ends.

Thx again for input

NosferatuX · 26 Feb 2009

brusse01 said:

hi all....

After the clean install of Windows 7 and leaving the computer off all night the onboard Realtek NIC driver went "poof" once again. So I decided to install a old PCI D-link network card I had and BAM! Windows 7 instantly found it and installed a driver. Tested new card by browsing internet, putting into sleep mode, and shutting the pc down for a couple of hours. To my surprise.... network card worked like a charm. It showed up in Device manager... so maybe my onboard is a dud?! will test that theory when I install Vista on computer after the Beta ends.

Thx again for input

Thats great progress :)

Would love to know what happens on Vista.

You're welcome. Cheers

brusse01 · 26 Feb 2009

this is the 2nd test computer for Windows 7.... 1st pc i tested it on was built for XP
Worked great with the older hardware/software. 2nd pc built for Vista.... decided to use windows 7 on newer system as well. Video a heck of alot better lol!

XP Test Specs:
Gigabyte GA--7V AXP ultra motherboard
AMD Athlon 1800+ (1.5 GHZ) processor
ATI Radeon 9000 Pro 128 MB AGP card
40 GB IDE HDD
1GB RAM
Realtek onboard sound/network

other then not able to find a video driver for the 9000 pro everything worked great

I am curious about the Vista and onboard realtek myself but need a break from installing OS right now lol

NosferatuX · 26 Feb 2009

brusse01 said:

this is the 2nd test computer for Windows 7.... 1st pc i tested it on was built for XP
Worked great with the older hardware/software. 2nd pc built for Vista.... decided to use windows 7 on newer system as well. Video a heck of alot better lol!

XP Test Specs:
Gigabyte GA--7V AXP ultra motherboard
AMD Athlon 1800+ (1.5 GHZ) processor
ATI Radeon 9000 Pro 128 MB AGP card
40 GB IDE HDD
1GB RAM
Realtek onboard sound/network

other then not able to find a video driver for the 9000 pro everything worked great

I am curious about the Vista and onboard realtek myself but need a break from installing OS right now lol

LOL! I know what you mean :)

As you already know, ATI has stopped supporting the Radeon 9000 series. So, no vista driver for that one

There have been reported workarounds floating around but at most they will only let adjust the screen resolution to make it look a bit better, if it does work.

Cheers

jonghea · 28 Apr 2009

I have a reasonably similar problem with my HP 6730b Notebook. I'm running Build 7100 of Windows 7 (x64) and when I unplug my network cable my Broadcom NetLink (TM) Giganbit Ethernet adapter disappears. When I plug the cable back in I have to do a hardware rescan in the device manager to get my NIC back. Power Management is off.

Strange...

All is working fine in Vista x64...

themouse · 29 Apr 2009

I have been having a real frustrating time with my realtek 8139 NIC also, I had this thread going ( I couldnt change the title I no longer on 7068 but 7100)

https://www.sevenforums.com/network-i...ld-7068-a.html

I had no issue with builds 7000 to 7048 after that the network has been very unreliable, drops off for no reason started with build 7057 amd been there since. I dont know what it is, I have tried every driver possible. I went back to 7048 to verify my hardware and it was fine!!