How to stop driver from installing repeatedly

[curator]

Hi, I believe I have a unique trouble with my network adapter. It is installing every single time that windows starts, always behaving as a different piece of hardware thus driver is named like: "Atheros (...) Ethernet Controller #151" and increasing and what more, still having different MAC address. My problem is that my (legal) Windows (Win 7 Home Premium 64bit) after few startups starts thinking he is illegal every time I activate it by phone. I am beginning to be desperate about this. Over time I was thinking about several solutions to this but I am not capable of executing them alone. Two examples:

1.) One possibility is disabling automatic driver installation but in tutorials and forums it is done through pgedit.msc that is absent on Home Premium

2.) Disabling my network card completely (or removing it from my laptop) is also a way because I am using only wifi, but I havent found any way how to do it

... Network card is probably broken, so sending my nb to service could also work, but it is quite inconvenient considering time and money thrown away, i dont prefer this option

Could somebody help me solving this ? Any constructive idea is welcome.

 

[johnebadbak]

look in device manager right click on the network card and click disable

 

[karlsnooks]

Hi, I believe I have a unique trouble with my network adapter. It is installing every single time that windows starts, always behaving as a different piece of hardware thus driver is named like: "Atheros (...) Ethernet Controller #151" and increasing and what more, still having different MAC address. My problem is that my (legal) Windows (Win 7 Home Premium 64bit) after few startups starts thinking he is illegal every time I activate it by phone. I am beginning to be desperate about this. Over time I was thinking about several solutions to this but I am not capable of executing them alone. Two examples:

1.) One possibility is disabling automatic driver installation but in tutorials and forums it is done through pgedit.msc that is absent on Home Premium

2.) Disabling my network card completely (or removing it from my laptop) is also a way because I am using only wifi, but I havent found any way how to do it

... Network card is probably broken, so sending my nb to service could also work, but it is quite inconvenient considering time and money thrown away, i dont prefer this option

Could somebody help me solving this ? Any constructive idea is welcome.

Welcome to SevenForums,
your full system specs will help us when considering recommendations, please read, please follow the procedure listed below. I'll await the full system specs before making any suggestions.
Update your SevenForums System Specs
User CP (3rd item in the top menu bar) |
Your Profile | Edit System Spec (left-hand column)

To gather info, use SIW or Speccy or System Info

Add the word laptop or desktop or netbook to the
“system manufacturer” block, for example,
Toshiba Satellite L305D notebook.

Provide full windows version info, for example:
MS Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 64-bit

Use the “Other Info” block for Optical Reader,
Mouse, touchpad, wifi adapter, speakers, monitor, etc

Scroll down and click on the SAVE CHANGES button.

 

[LiquidSnak]

Your complete specs will be very helpful. Also, if this is a PCI(E) or USB card clean out the ports with some rubbing alcohol and q-tips, allowing it to dry before use (a few minutes, five to ten ish)

 

[curator]

Hi guys, thank you very much for you effort, I have updated all relevant information in System spec, so you should hopefully know everything about my machine you need.

to johnebadbak: I have already tried it few times, but as I said, it always behaves like a different piece of hardware, so when I disable Atheros(....)#4, Atheros(....)#5 that I will have next time, will be enabled again

to liquidsnak: I have a notebook, I dont think I could do something like that

I will specify source of the problem a little bit. That whole thing started after I first connected my new external HDD (new MSI case+HDD from my last NB), what crashed my notebook completely, it just shut down in a second like after some short-circuit. Since then, it never happened anymore, but the mentioned problems started. Maybe this could help.

 

[seavixen32]

If all else fails, you can disable the offending network adapter in the BIOS.

You should find it in the Advance settings under Integrated Peripherals.

 

[karlsnooks]

Curator,

Now I don't expect these to solve your problems, but let's try:
First an earlier restore point.

Unless you have used some of that wonder-working, speed-up your computer software, then you have restore points which MS created automatically when installing software and on a few other occasions.

Here's how to restore your computer to an earlier point in time:

RESTORE TO A PREVIOUS SYSTEM RESTORE POINT
WIN | type SYSTEM RESTORE | ENTER | NEXT
Choose a different restore point button | NEXT |
Show more restore points checkbox (lower left)|
Highlight the desired restore point |
Scan for affected programs (lower right) |
make a note of affected programs |
CLOSE | NEXT | FINISH


WIN = key with the wavy Microsoft flag on top.

 

[curator]

Seavixen32: That sounds promising I am going to try it, it could be acceptable alternative if nothing worked out well

karlsnooks: I am very sorry, I could mention it too, I have a fresh win, reinstalled just 2 days ago, problem remained

 

[karlsnooks]

Excellent.

That means you have restore points.

 

[curator]

ok so, here is list of all affected "stuff" in 2 restore points

1. restore point
MS .NET framework client
-2x Security update for .NET fw
-2x Update for MS .NET fw
-USB 2.0 1,3M UVC WebCam
-Sonix (Image)....
-2x Security Update for Package....
+ICQ Toolbar

2. restore point
-2x Security update for .NET fw
-2x Update for MS .NET fw
-2x Security Update for Package....

 

[karlsnooks]

choose the restore point 1. from your list.

True, you will need to --but ---NOT immediately, reinstall some updates and some of your programs.

After the restore, is the problem gone? Yes or No.

The next step depends upon your answer.

 

[curator]

system restored, problem remained

 

[karlsnooks]

Run a FULL SCAN and do not exclude any drives with the Microsoft Standalone System Sweeper.


Microsoft Standalone System Sweeper
How to Use the Microsoft Standalone System Sweeper

After completion:
1 The results of System Sweeper will be in: \Windows\Standalone System Sweeper\Support as one or more files with a LOG extension.
Attach the log(s) to your next post.


2. Do NOT reinstall any of the other programs yet.


3. Do perform a full and complete Windows Update using this procedure:
UPDATING YOUR WIN 7
ASSURE THAT YOU RECEIVE ALL UPDATES
WIN | type WINDOWS UPDATE | ENTER |
Change settings (left-hand column) |
checkmark all four of the boxes | OK button

Approve any dialog boxes presented. Let Windows install any update features.

WIN is the key with the Microsoft flag on top.

INSTALL CRITICAL UPDATES
Check for Updates (left-hand column)
Install ALL critical updates.
Restart your computer (even if not prompted)

Repeat this procedure until there are no more critical updates.

DO NOT TRUST the “Windows is up to date” in center of dialog. until you see that TWICE IN A ROW!

INSTALL IMPORTANT UPDATES
Use the “critical update” procedure until all important updates are installed.

INSTALL OPTIONAL UPDATES
Use the “critical update” procedure until all optional updates are installed.

Under Optional updates you will be presented with a list of about 34 language updates.
You can hide those updates so that aren't continually notified of those updates. When you click on 34 optional updates are available, then you
a) highlight all of the language updates,
b) right-click anywhere in the highlighted list.
c) click on Hide Updates,
d) OK button.


UPDATE GOLDEN RULES
Install ALL, yes, ALL updates.
This is Win 7 and not Vista or XP (eXPired).

UPDATE IS HUNG –TAKING FOREVER
Hung is very doubtful unless you interrupted updates.

CTRL + SHIFT + ESC key combo will pop-up the Task Manager.
Lo and behold, Windows Update is still running!

You hold down the CTRL and SHIFT keys.
While holding them down, tap the ESC key once.

 

[maxseven]

That whole thing started after I first connected my new external HDD (new MSI case+HDD from my last NB), what crashed my notebook completely, it just shut down in a second like after some short-circuit. Since then, it never happened anymore, but the mentioned problems started.

Although I've never seen this myself, I imagine you could have somehow drawn a spark of static electricity and damaged something inside--is yours a very dry environment?

I don't think this has been mentioned yet, but I would make sure you have devmgr_show_nonpresent_devices set to 1 (enabled) in your system's Environment Variables and clean-out (uninstall) all greyed adapters that appear in Device Mgr, and finally uninstall the not-grey/active adapter and reboot & reinstall. While your in there look for other problems (whether greyed or yellow ! triangle) but stay away from any of the system volume/drive ones.

 

[karlsnooks]

MaxSeven,l
Good solid advice.

 

[Tassie]

Just wondering if any solution was found for this?

One thing I can say is that it seems to be a problem with the ASUS K50IJ notebook as I have 12 of these running at a school and they ALL do it. I've been trying to solve the problem for 18 months now. They are running Windows 7 Ultimate x32.

There is one other problem that I presume is associated. Every so often these machines loose the ability to connect with the main server. Still has internet, but unable to see the shared items on server. Only fix is an upgrade install. Then in a couple of months it happens again. It is ONLY this model. Every other machine on the network is perfect.

Very frustrating!

 

[maxseven]

I have 12 of these running at a school and they ALL do it.

They all do what?

If you're saying the ethernet driver won't stabilize as in the original post, then I have to believe 13 identically flaky notebooks constitutes an ASUS problem and that is where you need to go to find help, i.e. the mfr.

Maybe a BIOS issue, or a driver update is needed.

 

[Tassie]

Sorry. Yes, the ethernet driver won't stabalise in any of them. The BIOS has been updated to the newest (218) and the driver is the newest off the ASUS site. Have talked to ASUS and they don't seem to want to know about it.

 

[maxseven]

Then perhaps whoever you bought the 12 notebooks from can help get their attention!? Or you'll throw each of the 12 notebooks thru a different window until they help you? Just kidding of course...

Maybe if the latest driver doesn't work, there's an OLDER driver that would work. At least, that's all I can think to do other than throw all the ASUS notebooks into the dumpster.

 

[Tassie]

LOL I have considered turning the fire hose on them. I'm a technician but this just has me beat! The worst is when they loose connection to the server and require an upgrade install. A real time waster from my point of view and the problem has to be related.