Solved Network Controller Device Driver Missing - Can't Install - No WiFi

[ArchiMark]

Have peculiar situation with laptop, hope someone can please advise....

Recently got the little Sony VAIO P, 2nd generation model VPCP11AKJ.

Problems are as follows:

1. This is Japanese model, so, came with Japanese version of Win7HP and recovery OS is in Japanese and I do not know or read Japanese. So, not useful to me.

2. Prior owner changed the original WiFi card to an Intel WiMAX/WiFi Link 5150 card.

3. After doing a fresh Win 7HP instal to get the OS in English (and not have all the Sony bloatware that is part of the Japanese Windows recovery OS install...) I was missing several drivers, including the Network Controller, Ethernet Controller, and Wireless...

4. Downloaded and installed drivers from Sony and Intel (for WiMAX driver file ICS_s32). Now, only missing driver is the Network Controller.

The Intel WiMAX/WiFi Link 5150 card is working WiMAX-wise and recognizes several WiMAX networks. However, it is not picking up on WiFi networks, which is what I need. I'm wondering whether the missing Network Controller driver is impacting this.

I have tried installing an Intel Wireless driver (filename: Wireless_15.8.0_Ds32) when I run it, it just shows a small 1" square window with a WiFi like icon in it that shows a circular segmented progress like feature around the icon. After a minute or so, it disappears from display, with no text message, so, don't know it installs anything or not. Regardless, the Network Controller is still missing.

The Hardware ID info for the Network Controller is:

PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_423C&SUBSYS_13018086&REV_00
PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_423C&CC_028000
PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_423C&CC_02800

The Physical Object Name is:

4&29d82b0e&08&00E0

I searched on the Hardware ID info above to get info about the device and then download the driver file.

Perhaps I need a different driver file?

Problem is that Intel website says to go to laptop manufacturer site for this device, but since it was not originally part of the Sony laptop, they don't have driver file for it.

Also, I have done all Windows Updates as well as trying to let Windows find/install/update drivers, but no go for this one....

Feel like I'm going around in circles on this one......driving me nutz.....

Any suggestions???

Thanks!

Mark

 

[gregrocker]

Mark -

How were you able to install all rounds of Important and Optional Updates if you had no Ethernet or Wireless connection?

Did you plug in the ethernet cable during install which delivers that driver about 70% of the time (wireless about 50%)? If not plug it in now and enable Automatically deliver drivers via Windows Update (Step 3) to see if it loads from the driver Store or Windows Update.

Then if you've actually run all rounds of Updates to completion it will normally deliver the Wifi driver.

You can trace the driver using Hardware Identification.

Other steps in Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7 to get and keep a perfect install.

 

[ArchiMark]

Mark -

How were you able to install all rounds of Important and Optional Updates if you had no Ethernet or Wireless connection?

Oops, forgot to mention that I use my trusty ol' Apple USB Ethernet Adapter' in such situations as I have a copy of the driver for it on a USB flash drive....

Did you plug in the ethernet cable during install which delivers that driver about 70% of the time (wireless about 50%)? If not plug it in now and enable Automatically deliver drivers via Windows Update (Step 3) to see if it loads from the driver Store or Windows Update.

Then if you've actually run all rounds of Updates to completion it will normally deliver the Wifi driver.

Yes, I had ethernet cable plugged into the adapter as noted above.....unfortunately, even after enabling Windows Update to deliver drivers, it did not....and as noted in my post above, have done all rounds of updates, such that it says no updates....except for some unnecessary optional ones....

You can trace the driver using Hardware Identification.

Yep, did that as noted in post above...that's how I got more info shown and downloaded and installed Intel drivers as noted....

Other steps in Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7 to get and keep a perfect install.

I did read that in the course of trying to get this working....

Seems like I've been trying all the obvious things, that's part of what's so frustrating about this situation.....



Thank you for all your input!.....

 

[gregrocker]

Sorry but it was hard to process at first how thorough you are, it's so rare.

Those Intel ProSet drivers traced by Hardware ID say they apply to the 5150 card but then when you expand the detail for each version it says it's not supported. Intel® Wi-Fi Products — Intel® PROSet Wireless Software driver versions by Operating System

Have you tried Intel® Driver Update Utility?

I wonder if the card the previous owner added came from Dell discussed in Intel 5150 WiFi/WiMax Adapter doesnt work with 7?

It's not a good sign that the Google search results skip from the Intel Downloads page to that 2009 thread. I'd search it every which way.

 

[ArchiMark]

Sorry but it was hard to process at first how thorough you are, it's so rare.

Thanks for the kind words, but I don't deserve the credit, you do!!!...as you helped me with something similar a few months ago...

Those Intel ProSet drivers traced by Hardware ID say they apply to the 5150 card but then when you expand the detail for each version it says it's not supported. Intel® Wi-Fi Products — Intel® PROSet Wireless Software driver versions by Operating System

Oops...thanks for catching this!....

Have you tried Intel® Driver Update Utility?

No, but will try it....

I wonder if the card the previous owner added came from Dell discussed in Intel 5150 WiFi/WiMax Adapter doesnt work with 7?

Will try to find out....but someone else in Japan got it for me...so, will have go through him...may take awhile....but will try....it was working I think when I got it, but it had Japanese install....pretty hard to work with...hence, fresh install in English....

It's not a good sign that the Google search results skip from the Intel Downloads page to that 2009 thread. I'd search it every which way.

Yep...agree......

Will report back tomorrow....

Thanks so much for your help!

 

[ArchiMark]

Ran the Intel Driver Update Utility......

Not so good results....





As you can see, it looks like I need to reinstall driver for Graphics and Audio (OK, have Sony's driver for them...) and sort out the networking issues....it thinks the Marvell Ethernet Controller is related to WiFi ! and Wireless Display Software is blank.....

Any suggestions??

Thanks!

 

[gregrocker]

I've never seen Intel driver detection utility so screwed up.

Can you look on the actual wireless card and see what it's identifiers are to google?

Can you also explain better what aspects of the wireless card are already working and how these vary from actual Wifi. This is pretty unusual.

Are there any drivers still missing in Device Manager besides the wireless and how is it labeled there exactly?

 

[ArchiMark]

I've never seen Intel driver detection utility so screwed up.

Just my luck!.....

Can you look on the actual wireless card and see what it's identifiers are to google?

Unfortunately, that's difficult to do on this tiny laptop....tried to take apart a previous VAIO P and ended up with a trip to the Sony Service Center to get repaired...

Can you also explain better what aspects of the wireless card are already working and how these vary from actual Wifi. This is pretty unusual.

Yep, somehow I always end up with the 'pretty unusual' situations....

As I understand it, this is a WiMAX/WiFi card.

The WiMAX function is working OK and the Intel ProSet/Wireless WiMAX Connection Utility program is working OK and shows several available WiMAX networks available in the area.

It is the WiFi functionality that I don't think is working now (and yes, I have the WiFi physical switch on the outside of the casing turned 'On'....)....

Are there any drivers still missing in Device Manager besides the wireless and how is it labeled there exactly?

The only missing driver in Device Manager is 'Network Controller'. That's it....

However, in looking at the list, I see that there is a heading 'Intel Centrino WiMAX Adapters'.
Underneath it is the driver 'Intel WiMAX Link 5150 Function Driver'.

And below that under the heading 'Network Adapters' the driver 'Intel WiMAX Link 5150' is listed.

So, wondering if instead of the Intel WiMAX Link 5150' drivers listed, I should have a different driver that includes WiFi in the name along with WiMAX....ie, something like 'Intel WiMAX/WiFi Link 5150'....

 

[gregrocker]

How about this: Intel® PROSet/Wireless Software — Intel® PROSet/Wireless Software IT Administrator Links

Unzip the file and try browsing into it from missing driver.

If that fails try running it's Setup as Admin.

 

[Arc]

upload your MSINFO32.nfo file.

1. Click on the start button
2. Type "msinfo32" (without quotes) in the search bar of the start menu, click the resulting link. It will open the System Information window.
3. File>Save. In the "File Name" filed, put "MSINFO32" (without Quote), give the save location to desktop, and click the "save" button.
4. Give the time for processing, it will save a .nfo file on your desktop.
5. Zip it, and upload it following the instruction.

 

[ArchiMark]

How about this: Intel® PROSet/Wireless Software — Intel® PROSet/Wireless Software IT Administrator Links

Unzip the file and try browsing into it from missing driver.

If that fails try running it's Setup as Admin.

Good news on the WiFi front.....now I have WiFi working!.....sees the networks available...

Bad news so to speak, although doesn't really matter in my case as I don't use WiMAX is that I got message that WiMAX driver not installed and now it shows in Other Devices > Intel WiMAX Link 5150 as missing driver.....

So, either I leave it as it is now or install the WiMAX driver (if it's safe to do, ie, it won't screw up the WiFi...) or find a combo WiMAX/WiFi driver and install....

Thanks again for your help!

 

[gregrocker]

What I'd do is wait to see if Windows Updates detect and delivers a driver for it, and if not either resupply the driver you had before, or disable it in Device Manager so it won't slow you down searching for driver.

Glad you got the Wifi working. Was it in the IT Admin download zip file? Browsed into or installed?

 

[ArchiMark]

upload your MSINFO32.nfo file.

1. Click on the start button
2. Type "msinfo32" (without quotes) in the search bar of the start menu, click the resulting link. It will open the System Information window.
3. File>Save. In the "File Name" filed, put "MSINFO32" (without Quote), give the save location to desktop, and click the "save" button.
4. Give the time for processing, it will save a .nfo file on your desktop.
5. Zip it, and upload it following the instruction.

Here you go....Thanks for your help!

 

[Arc]

Hi ArchiMark. As you have solved the issue already, it is not very important, but the information is .....

ITEM|VALUE
Name | [00000013] Intel(R) WiFi Link 5150
Driver | c:\windows\system32\drivers\ netwns32.sys (13.5.0.6, 6.76 MB (7,087,616 bytes), 1/19/2011 1:28 AM)

The appropriate driver for you is here: Intel® WiMAX Adapters — Intel® PROSet/Wireless WiMAX Connection Utility

This download is valid for the product(s) listed below.

• Intel® Centrino® AdvancedN+WiMAX6250
• Intel® Centrino®WirelessN+WiMAX6150
• Intel® WiMAX/WiFi Link 5350 and Intel® WiMAX/WiFi Link 5150 products

And, the Marvell Yukon 88E8059 PCI-E Gigabit Ethernet Controller driver, yk62x86.sys also seems to be a bit backdated (3/27/2012). Search for possible updates .... seen the list in the earlier page in your post.

 

[ArchiMark]

What I'd do is wait to see if Windows Updates detect and delivers a driver for it, and if not either resupply the driver you had before, or disable it in Device Manager so it won't slow you down searching for driver.

Glad you got the Wifi working. Was it in the IT Admin download zip file? Browsed into or installed?

OK, will do. Thanks!.....

Yes, it was in the zip file I downloaded, but there were 2 choices of file to download. I choose the larger file. Smaller file was just the driver itself.

I forgot to browse, so, I installed using the Setup file I found in folder.

Thanks!

 

[ArchiMark]

Hi ArchiMark. As you have solved the issue already, it is not very important, but the information is .....

ITEM|VALUE
Name | [00000013] Intel(R) WiFi Link 5150
Driver | c:\windows\system32\drivers\ netwns32.sys (13.5.0.6, 6.76 MB (7,087,616 bytes), 1/19/2011 1:28 AM)

The appropriate driver for you is here: Intel® WiMAX Adapters — Intel® PROSet/Wireless WiMAX Connection Utility

This download is valid for the product(s) listed below.

• Intel® Centrino® AdvancedN+WiMAX6250
• Intel® Centrino®WirelessN+WiMAX6150
• Intel® WiMAX/WiFi Link 5350 and Intel® WiMAX/WiFi Link 5150 products

And, the Marvell Yukon 88E8059 PCI-E Gigabit Ethernet Controller driver, yk62x86.sys also seems to be a bit backdated (3/27/2012). Search for possible updates .... seen the list in the earlier page in your post.

THANKS for all the info and suggestions!

 

[ArchiMark]

Hi ArchiMark. As you have solved the issue already, it is not very important, but the information is .....

ITEM|VALUE
Name | [00000013] Intel(R) WiFi Link 5150
Driver | c:\windows\system32\drivers\ netwns32.sys (13.5.0.6, 6.76 MB (7,087,616 bytes), 1/19/2011 1:28 AM)

The appropriate driver for you is here: Intel® WiMAX Adapters — Intel® PROSet/Wireless WiMAX Connection Utility

This download is valid for the product(s) listed below.

• Intel® Centrino® AdvancedN+WiMAX6250
• Intel® Centrino®WirelessN+WiMAX6150
• Intel® WiMAX/WiFi Link 5350 and Intel® WiMAX/WiFi Link 5150 products

And, the Marvell Yukon 88E8059 PCI-E Gigabit Ethernet Controller driver, yk62x86.sys also seems to be a bit backdated (3/27/2012). Search for possible updates .... seen the list in the earlier page in your post.

For the WiMAX and WiFi driver, I tried installing the driver file you pointed to 'ICS_x32.exe', but I get error message that it's not for the installed operating system...which is odd, since I downloaded file by clicking on the link for the Win7 32 bit version.....but if I use ICS_s32.exe, it installs OK and all is well....

As for the Marvell ethernet controller, when I click 'Update Driver' in Device Manager and let it search online for driver, it reports back that I already have the best driver for this device....get same message on several other drivers as well....

Thanks!

 

[Arc]

Good.

Hope it is not showing in Other Devices > Intel WiMAX Link 5150 as missing driver anymore? As you stated in Post #11?

 

[ArchiMark]

Good.

Hope it is not showing in Other Devices > Intel WiMAX Link 5150 as missing driver anymore? As you stated in Post #11?

No more Other Devices listed or Unknown Devices, etc.....all is Good in Device Manager now!!!

Thanks to you and Greg.....



Now that all seems to be working good, I'm going to make recovery disks now!....

 

[Arc]

Well, as you think the issue is over, I'd request you to please mark this thread as solved now.