Solved How can I delete/reset MAC of network adapter?

I am running win7 x64 ultimate. I set a MAC address in the bios and somehow Windows has saved it somewhere. I have deleted the device in device manager and when it was redetected it was still there. I have reset the bios to defaults but when I run 'ipconfig /all' the MAC is still there. How can I get rid of it?

Your problem is not addressed clearly.Atleast to me it is not clear.

First, it is for the first time I am hearing the Mac address being set in the BIOS. Can you explain how was it set in the BIOS?

Second, what exactly is the device? Name/manufacturer/Model

Third, why do you want to change/reset the Mac Address? ( Yep, it may be possible to reset the Mac Address and I had discussed this matter with NoelDP long back on a different context but I would like to know why you want to change/reset it. What exactly is your problem that necessitates such a change?)

This is a DFI Nforce 4 mobo. It has two adapters. One is part of the nforce chipset (Nvidia) and one is a Marvell. I couldn't get the Marvell one to work. In trying to get it to work, I saw a place in the BIOS to manually set a MAC address but it turns out it was for the Nvidia adapter not the Marvell. Now windows has this MAC stored and I want it to go back to how it was originally. Does that clear it up.

Tried clearing CMOS?

Yes.

I just had a cursory glance at your motherboard manual.

In the BIOS you should have enabled Machine Mac (NV) Address Input to be able to enter the MAC(NV) Address Input. Simply by disabling it and saving the setting should take away the address you entered. That is what my common sense tells me . What is that address you entered? Some Random Number?

In the same page enable the Marvel LAN. Again do not forget to save the settings.

Provided you had installed the drivers correctly for both the LAN and the LAN hardware is functional, Windows will always get the hard encoded Mac numbers for both the LAN.

To check open command prompt ( Start > All Programs > Accessories > Command prompt ) and type getmac /v and press enter.

You should see the MAC address of both your LAN.

If you still have problems, its beyond me . Let other experts deal with it.( I would return the board and get a new one.)

I've done all that with the BIOS. It seems to me that Windows has the MAC stored in the registry somewhere or are you saying that is not possible?

What is the result of getmac /v? Can you post a screenshot of it?

Let the networking experts see it. What is the address you entered? Wherefrom did you get it?

Try searching the registry for the MAC address.

The MAC address was probably set in the hardware itself. Not in Windows.

I was curious to know many things, but didn't get an answer for those many things.

OK, my dear friend, here goes the big bang. ( atleast I think so.)

Download, install and run Technitium MAC Address Changer Technitium MAC Address Changer - Free download and software reviews - CNET Download.com ( You will extract the downloaded zip file into a folder, and install the latest version. For the program to install correctly you must be a user with administrative privileges. I would further advise that you create a System Restore point before installing.)



If your currently Active MAC address is not the same as the Original hard coded MAC Address, the "Restore Original" tab will not be greyed out . Just click on it to restore the original hard coded MAC Address by removing the registry entry where any changed address is stored.

Thanks for the link. I remembered the old MAC and just put it back in.

OK, good. I presume you again entered into BIOS set up, and entered the original MAC address. That's an easy way out. But for that one must have an elephant's memory to remember that hexadecimal string. You seem to have one .

For the less endowed Technitium MAC Address Changer is the way to go to wipe the registry entry that contains the changed address and restore the hard coded MAC address.

I am requesting the Admins/Mods to mark this thread as solved, so that it can help others looking for a solution.