Dell Laptop - Broadcom Gigabit Controller Not Connected - How Fix?

Having problems with a Dell Inspiron 1545 laptop. OS is Win 7 Home Premium.

This laptop suddenly stopped connecting to anything 7 days ago. Since then I've confirmed that the wireless adapter is working (can see access points).

If I plug in a working ethernet cable there's no light at all. Device Manager that's set to show 'hidden devices' shows the Broadcom 57xx Gigabit Controller as 'not connected, Error Code 45.'

Also, when a known working ethernet cable is plugged in no light comes on at the jack.

When the internal wifi adapter, or a USB external wifi adapter, is on I can see various nearby access points and it will make an initial connection to that router BUT will not complete the negotiation and give internet access. I'm guessing it does not get an IP address?

I have updated drivers for the device but the problem remains.

How can I fix this? Is the device accessible without totally disassembling the entire laptop? I have a Dell service manual for the model but I can't find a diagram or instructions for this particular component. Point me to some diagrams that show where it is and how to access it?

Or, is it possible to just leave it alone and get a USB ??? that takes it's place and allows Wi-Fi to fully connect to the internet? If so please advise what type of device I should search for.

Appreciate any help.

Kaktussoft said:

Detach the ethernet cable from laptop. Try to access internet wirelessly. works?

No. I tested each method independently. The laptop won't fully connect via ethernet OR WiFi.

Kaktussoft said:

Are you sure you want a wired connection? Buy something like this Amazon.com: SANOXY 2.0 Ethernet 10/100 Network LAN RJ45 Adapter: Computers & Accessories

from my first post:

"Or, is it possible to just leave it alone and get a USB ??? that takes it's place and allows Wi-Fi to fully connect to the internet?"

I'll be quite satisfied with a working wifi connection. I need to know what external device to get to bypass this issue and allow the wifi adapter/s to fully work?

I'll add another post later this morning that lists all of the various networking devices in the laptop. Off to the office now.

I see you also posted on the Dell Laptop help forum.

You said, you had attempted to update driver.

What method did you use? Dell website, Device Manager, or Dell Utility CD?

Kaktussoft said:

In elevated command prompt Elevated Command Prompt

Code:

netsh interface ipv4 show interfaces

Post output.

screenshot of that output




Can the laptop connect to another wireless access point and access the internet/that local network?

As stated in my OP, the laptop's internal wifi adapter and an external (second) wifi adapter both see available access points and connect to them, BUT the connections won't complete and provide internet access.

johnsmith45jock said:

I see you also posted on the Dell Laptop help forum.

You said, you had attempted to update driver.

What method did you use? Dell website, Device Manager, or Dell Utility CD?

I received very little (none really) help at the Dell forum.

At first used the Dell website to get driver and installed via device manager I think. That didn't help. Then went to the Broadcom website and found newer version. Believe I installed that one thru Device Mgr/Device Properties/Driver also.

After that I dropped back to the Dell updated driver. Of course, did reboots after these steps. Nothing worked. Device still shows "hardware device is not connected) code 45."