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

[kenh99]

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]

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

 

[Kaktussoft]

The device is not present.
Error Code

45
Display Message (Windows XP and later versions of Windows)

"Currently, this hardware device is not connected to the computer. (Code 45)"
"To fix this problem, reconnect this hardware device to the computer."
Recommended Resolution (Windows XP and later versions of Windows)

None. This problem code should only appear when the DEVMGR_SHOW_NONPRESENT_DEVICES environment variable is set.
====
I think your network card just died. Try to boot from some linux live cd and check if it sees the network card

 

[Kaktussoft]

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

 

[kenh99]

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.

 

[kenh99]

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.

 

[Kaktussoft]

In elevated command prompt http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/783-elevated-command-prompt.html

netsh interface ipv4 show interfaces

Post output.

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

 

[AmericanPharaoh]

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?

 

[kenh99]

In elevated command prompt http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/783-elevated-command-prompt.html

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.

 

[kenh99]

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."

 

[kenh99]

If it helps, here are the other networking components this laptop has:

Dell Wireless 1397 WLAN Mini-Card
Marvell Yukon 88E8040 PCI-E Fast Ethernet Controller

Someone please explain to me what exactly the Broadcom 57xx Gigabit Controller does?

And how is it different from the Marvell Yukon 88E8040 PCI-E Fast Ethernet Controller?

Maybe if I fully understand the functionality of the Broadcom Controller I'll be able to better participate in this discussion.

Ken

 

[madcratebuilder]

The onboard ethernet died on my Dell 1525 and I needed a wired connection to setup Linux wireless. I was going to open the lap top and replace the card but I found it much cheaper to buy a Gigabyte USB LAN adapter. This evil bay seller has new product and it's the best price I could find for a NIB product, comes with current drivers on the CD.

Maybe if I fully understand the functionality of the Broadcom Controller I'll be able to better participate in this discussion.

Ken, that's the wifi controller, the Marvell is the ethernet controller. One physical device for ethernet and one physical device for wifi, different drivers for each.

 

[sumandeb6888]

hummm..........

1.You can eject the wire from top cut and reinsert into pc that should fix
2.If not above advice not work then should be problem in you mother board or check the wire from out side of home is there any damge

 

[kenh99]

The onboard ethernet died on my Dell 1525 and I needed a wired connection to setup Linux wireless. I was going to open the lap top and replace the card but I found it much cheaper to buy a Gigabyte USB LAN adapter. This evil bay seller has new product and it's the best price I could find for a NIB product, comes with current drivers on the CD.

Maybe if I fully understand the functionality of the Broadcom Controller I'll be able to better participate in this discussion.

Ken, that's the wifi controller, the Marvell is the ethernet controller. One physical device for ethernet and one physical device for wifi, different drivers for each.

Thanks MadCrateBuilder but the pressing need is to enable successful wireless connections.

After confirming each device's function it appears that BOTH are not working since a wired ethernet connection fails also, although device manager says the Marvel is "working properly."

I just realized that I have not tried uninstalling and re-installing either device. Will wait to see if that's recommended.

 

[Kaktussoft]

Post screenshot of device manager. Expand branche "network adapters"

 

[Kaktussoft]

In elevated command prompt http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/783-elevated-command-prompt.html

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.

These screenshots are from faulty laptop I hope. What I see

-loopback adapter is working and uses tcp/ip v4.
-no wired adapter bound to tcp/ip v4 at all!
-no wireless adapter bound to tcp/ip v4 at all!

 

[kenh99]

Post screenshot of device manager. Expand branche "network adapters"

screenshot attached. Device Manager set to show 'hidden devices' so you see everything.

 

[kenh99]

In elevated command prompt http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/783-elevated-command-prompt.html

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.

These screenshots are from faulty laptop I hope. What I see

-loopback adapter is working and uses tcp/ip v4.
-no wired adapter bound to tcp/ip v4 at all!
-no wireless adapter bound to tcp/ip v4 at all!

Yes, from the Dell Inspiron 1545.

Well, guess that explains why neither a wireless or wired connection will complete.

Now...how can I fix it? Especially the wireless?

 

[Kaktussoft]

Start by uninstalling Free VPN Service | Free VPN Software - Hotspot Shield VPN
Uninstall teamviewer as well

right click Broadcom gigabit controller and uninstall (in device manager).
Same for 2 wireless below it
Same for 3 linksys below it
Same for Marvel Fast ethernet controller

Now post device manager->network adaptor screenshot again.
Reboot.
Now post device manager->network adaptor screenshot again.

 

[Kaktussoft]

Did you see the black down array in device manager screenshot!?

Down arrow
In Windows Vista, 7, and later if you see a small down arrow as shown in the below picture next to the device this is an indication that the device has been disabled.

What to do
To resolve this issue double-click the device, click the Driver tab, and click the Enable button. After it's been enabled restart the computer if asked.