Solved SOS! Windows could not detect a properly installed network adapter

[alexander606]

Hello everyone,

After 6 hours of reading/testing I can't do anything else and I am really tired, so you guys are my last hope. Here is the problem:

I had a lot of hardware in my stock so I decided to make some desktops today. I built them normally without any problem, the only thing was that in 1 desktop I had to use DDR2 ram instead of DDR, so I borrowed one ram card (2GB) from my main PC in order to make the desktop run.

While I was making a format to my desktops, I tried to log in from my main PC. Then I face out the problem: I couldn't connect to internet!
- It says: "no connections available"
- After troubleshoot: "Windows could not detect a properly installed network adapter"
- When I installed the latest drivers: "The realtek network controller was not found. If Deep Sleep Mode is enabled Please Plug The Cable"
- In device manager there are no "Network Adapters" anymore, only in hidden, and I can't update/reinstall them.

I tried the following I read around:
- Unplug everything from PC and wait around 10 minutes, then plug them back.
- Safe mod uninstalling drivers and reinstalling them. Same error.
- Bring back my RAM and run. Same error.
- Restore default BIOS settings. Same error.
- Add a network card (not sure that it's working, it's an old one). Same error.

My OP: Windows 7 Ultimate x64
My motherboard: ASUS P5Q-EM

Please note that the other desktops are running perfectly. I am asking for help since I can't do anything else, and I feel helpless. The only thing left is to format my PC but I am not sure that this will solve the problem and it's my last solution.

Waiting for your replies..
Thanks!

 

[Sub Styler]

was your case earthed when you took the RAM out?

 

[alexander606]

was your case earthed when you took the RAM out?

Hello,

Thanks for the quick reply. Well, the PC was off when I took the RAM out, I opened in after 20-30 min and it has the problem I mentioned.

 

[Sub Styler]

So it was off ,that is a good start, but did you leave the mains connected? (UK or US?)

 

[Britton30]

Maybe that board has a different brand of internet adapter.

 

[Sub Styler]

On an ASUS P5 I would expect it to be Atheros although they do vary, should be autodetected by windows anyway,
was the second adapter PCI? Have you been into the BIOS to disable the on-board adapter to increase compatibility for the add-in? Removing the RAM may have caused the BIOS to rescan hardware, you may have knocked a jumper or if no static protection was used damaged an IC on the board.

Will device manager find anything when forcing a scan for hardware change?

 

[alexander606]

So it was off ,that is a good start, but did you leave the mains connected? (UK or US?)

The mains? You mean power cable? Yes, they are connected as far as I remember.
Is there any possibility for something to be changed in motherboard? Like a small cable or something which has to do with internet?
I took a look around google and found that it's a common problem so I didn't look at this possibility further.

 

[Sub Styler]

Maybe that board has a different brand of internet adapter.

Mines a P5QD Turbo and has Atheros. Windows detects and installs this automatically but the driver is available from support.asus.com

 

[alexander606]

On an ASUS P5 I would expect it to be Atheros although they do vary, should be autodetected by windows anyway,
was the second adapter PCI? Have you been into the BIOS to disable the on-board adapter to increase compatibility for the add-in? Removing the RAM may have caused the BIOS to rescan hardware, you may have knocked a jumper or if no static protection was used damaged an IC on the board.

Will device manager find anything when forcing a scan for hardware change?

Hello and thanks for reply,
The second adapter is probably a crap, since it's an old one. And yes it's PCI.
I disabled the on board option in BIOS when I used the network card, nothing happened.
Device manager found nothing even with a scan.

I really appreciate your answers.

 

[Sub Styler]

Go to support.asus.com, download the manual for your board, check if there's a jumper to enable/disable on-board LAN. If there is, open up and confirm it is still in place, they are usually a firm fit these days and don't tend to fall out accidentally like early cheap mobos might have.

Get the asus site driver, double check the BIOS to ensure everything required is enabled and IRQs are Auto etc.

Other than that I'm going to bed. Hope you sort it or I will be back tomorrow.

 

[alexander606]

Go to support.asus.com, download the manual for your board, check if there's a jumper to enable/disable on-board LAN. If there is, open up and confirm it is still in place, they are usually a firm fit these days and don't tend to fall out accidentally like early cheap mobos might have.

Get the asus site driver, double check the BIOS to ensure everything required is enabled and IRQs are Auto etc.

Other than that I'm going to bed. Hope you sort it or I will be back tomorrow.

I have already read the manual which I got with the board. I took a quick look and there is no jumper for this case. It only shows the LAN in motherboard and where you should put the ethernet cable.

The LAN has two lights on it. One left one right. The left one is for the active connection (if it's green) and the right one is for the size of the connection. In mine it's only the right one there, that means that connection is not active. That's all about LAN.

Do you think that format would solve the problem?

Thanks for replying, hope to find out the solution soon, almost 7 hours looking for it, my head looks like a volcano.

 

[DavidE]

Can you test the Network Card in any of the other PCs?
If it doesn't work in any PC, you can be pretty sure the card is bad.

 

[alexander606]

Can you test the Network Card in any of the other PCs?
If it doesn't work in any PC, you can be pretty sure the card is bad.

The second network card is not working. I tried it in another PC as well.
Thanks for reply

 

[TVeblen]

What happens if you put that stick of RAM back in?

 

[alexander606]

Hello everyone,

I tried the following I read around:
- Unplug everything from PC and wait around 10 minutes, then plug them back.
- Safe mod uninstalling drivers and reinstalling them. Same error.
- Bring back my RAM and run. Same error.
- Restore default BIOS settings. Same error.
- Add a network card (not sure that it's working, it's an old one). Same error.

My OP: Windows 7 Ultimate x64
My motherboard: ASUS P5Q-EM

Hello,
I already answered to this question on my first post.

Thanks for the reply

 

[TVeblen]

Sorry, missed that.

Try a ClearCMOS procedure:
(consult your manual for the exact procedure on your motherboard.)
But in general it goes like this (CLRTC and ClearCMOS are the same thing):

• Note all your current BIOS settings
• Shut down the computer > remove the power cord.
• Remove the 3v motherboard battery.
• Move the CLRTC jumper from pins 1-2 to 2-3.
• Touch a metal part of the case and Press and Hold the reset button for approx. 30 seconds to discharge all power from the board.
• Put the CLRTC jumper back on pins 1-2.
• Replace the 3v battery > replace the power cord > boot.
• Immediately go back into BIOS. If the CLRTC worked you will need to reset the date and time. Go to the Exit menu and "Restore BIOS Defaults", Save & Exit to reboot.
• Immediately go back into BIOS and now reset all your preferred settings.

See if that brings the adapter back.

 

[alexander606]

Sorry, missed that.

Try a ClearCMOS procedure:
(consult your manual for the exact procedure on your motherboard.)
But in general it goes like this (CLRTC and ClearCMOS are the same thing):

• Note all your current BIOS settings
• Shut down the computer > remove the power cord.
• Remove the 3v motherboard battery.
• Move the CLRTC jumper from pins 1-2 to 2-3.
• Touch a metal part of the case and Press and Hold the reset button for approx. 30 seconds to discharge all power from the board.
• Put the CLRTC jumper back on pins 1-2.
• Replace the 3v battery > replace the power cord > boot.
• Immediately go back into BIOS. If the CLRTC worked you will need to reset the date and time. Go to the Exit menu and "Restore BIOS Defaults", Save & Exit to reboot.
• Immediately go back into BIOS and now reset all your preferred settings.

See if that brings the adapter back.

Hello,

Just cleared CMOS. I made everything right according to your guide and my board's manual. The BIOS asked for a new date so I guess I've done it correctly.
Unfortunately the network adapter is still not working. Nothing changed.

Thanks

 

[TVeblen]

The obvious answer is that, for whatever reason, the LAN chip is now defective.

If the LAN chip was working, and enabled in BIOS, then it would show up in Windows Device Manager, with or without a driver. There is no point in working on the Windows side of things until you can get a network device to show up.

There are no cables or switches related to a LAN chip on most modern motherboards. There might be a jumper (I've never seen one). But beyond that it is soldered in and controlled in BIOS.

My next step would be to see if I could get a known good network card to work and be recognized in Windows. The results of that test will give clues to what may be going on with that motherboard.

An Afterthought: make sure nothing is plugged into the LAN port while you are doing these tests. An external short circuit could trigger protective breakers.

 

[Sub Styler]

The obvious answer is that, for whatever reason, the LAN chip is now defective.

If the LAN chip was working, and enabled in BIOS, then it would show up in Windows Device Manager, with or without a driver. There is no point in working on the Windows side of things until you can get a network device to show up.

There are no cables or switches related to a LAN chip on most modern motherboards. There might be a jumper (I've never seen one). But beyond that it is soldered in and controlled in BIOS.

My next step would be to see if I could get a known good network card to work and be recognized in Windows. The results of that test will give clues to what may be going on with that motherboard.

An Afterthought: make sure nothing is plugged into the LAN port while you are doing these tests. An external short circuit could trigger protective breakers.

I agree, (and was just trying to exhaust all options before declaring the onboard LAN dead).

You probably gave something LAN related a static shock, at least it wansnt the RAM you hit.

Options are either a new PCI Lan Card (that works) or a replacment board, i'm sure the LAN will be the cheapest option.

 

[alexander606]

OK, so I will try to uninstall and reinstall all the motherboard drivers again.
If this fails, I will make a format on my hard disk.
If nothing happens I will buy a new network adapter and see the results.

What do you think?

Thanks