2 new NIC's driver issue

[grindy]

Hi,
Older system, upgraded from XP to Win7 (32bit) a while back - has been working fine. Have been having issues with internet "dropping out" fairly regularly. ISP says problem on my end, so decided to install a new NIC. Disabled onboard NIC and pop'd in new PCI NIC.

Windows 7 sees the new card, installs it as Realtek RTL8139/810x Family Fast Ethernet NIC, but says it can't start (yellow exclamation in Device Mgr).

Removed this NIC and installed 2nd new NIC (different mfg.). Windows sees this one, installs it as Realtek RTL8139/810x Family Fast Ethernet NIC, but says it can't start (yellow exclamation in Device Mgr).

The 2 new NIC cards are:
Zonet ZEN3200 and Rosewill RC-402. Zonet's site lists the ZEN3200 as Win7 compatible.

So... was thinking that maybe Win7's generic (Realtek) drivers were corrupt. Found driver on Zonet's site for the card (Win7 32bit) and tried it, but Win7 tells me that the driver I have is "newer" and keeps it. Tried forcing it to the new driver, but it still tells me that it won't start.

Ran sfc /scannow, and it says all is fine - no fix.

I'm at a loss now... Is it "normal" for Win7 to see these very "generic" NIC's as the Realtek card? Ie, is this the "normal" driver that Win7 installs for plain jane NIC's such as these?

Suggestions please....

 

[TVeblen]

It sounds like you have an on-the-motherboard network interface device. Do you?

If so, you would need to go into your BIOS and disable that LAN controller before you should install the new NIC.

Also: if you fill in your "My System Specs" folks won't need to make these kinds of guesses. You will get much more intelligent help!

 

[grindy]

It sounds like you have an on-the-motherboard network interface device. Do you?

If so, you would need to go into your BIOS and disable that LAN controller before you should install the new NIC.

Also: if you fill in your "My System Specs" folks won't need to make these kinds of guesses. You will get much more intelligent help!

Thx TVeblen, but if you check my post again you'll notice that I stated that I had disabled the onboard controller.

What "System Specs" would you like to know about that will help you answer the questions?

 

[TVeblen]

Sorry Grindy. Missed that.
Under your profile there is an item by item checklist to fill out your "My System Specs". This info is always helpful to everyone who looks at your post.

We can look up your motherboard and see what is on it.

 

[TVeblen]

In Device Manager under "Network Adapters", expand that. What is listed there? How are they described (Brand, model, etc.)

What I'm thinking is that perhaps you did not "uninstall" the on-board Network Adapter from Windows Device Manager before you removed it (disabled it) from the computer. That may explain why Windows is seeing the new cards as the on-board Realtek adapter, which is not normal.

 

[bassfisher6522]

Exactly right. You must download new driver, always from manufacturers website, to somewhere on your PC (desktop or documents folder). Then uninstall current driver, sometimes on what type a driver is involved there may be a system reboot at this point. If it does then after reboot go to where you saved new driver and install it, again a reboot may be necessary.