dell notebook onboard NIC fails to start, error code 10

[daFranze]

I am using my notebook Dell Latitude C600 since years, I have installed XP and RedHat Linux. Sometimes I boot Knoppix from CD. Now my onboard NIC (recognized as a 3com 10/100 Mini PCI) fails to start under XP; error code is "10"! After tying a few things, which had no change, I reinstalled XPpro SP1. I downloaded SP2 and installed it, downloaded the 3com driver from dell.com, but no change, NIC still can not start, still error code 10.
I can use the NIC if I boot Knoppix, I have not installed RedHat Linux to check.
I downloaded a NIC test from dell (which is from 3com), no real error message during start. If found out strange properties: there is a String like "00 00 00 00 00 00 00", guessing it is/should/could be the MAC, but has no label!? When I start a check there are several messages "can't check ...".

Any ideas? Can I set a MAC manually, if the set of 0's is a failed MAC prom?

Best Regards, Franz
--
UNIX System Manager from Munich, Germany

 

[bcastner]

I think the adapter has failed, at least as far as XP is concerned. You could try disabling media sense:

http://support.microsoft.com/?id=239924

My guess is that is why it "works" under Knoppix.

Could you post back to the forum a complete ipconfig /all result for the adapter?


____________________________
Users Helping Users

 

[daFranze]

thank you bcastner for the post!

The output if ipconfig is simple, it is empty, the NIC does not start under XP. The device manager (I'n not sure if the names are correct, I have a German Version of XP installed), says there are no ressources used by the device, since it is not started.

The output of ipconfig /all says the same, it is empty

C:\Dokumente und Einstellungen\fp.SMALAND>ipconfig /all

Windows-IP-Konfiguration

C:\Dokumente und Einstellungen\fp.SMALAND>

I'm not sure if a regedit of autonegotiation settings would do any change, but I will give a try...

Best Regards, Franz
--
UNIX System Manager from Munich, Germany

 

[linney]

Does it help if you remove or uninstall the Adapter from Device Manager and let XP rediscover it?

Anyone ever seen a "FailReasonString" do they ever exist in XP?


Code 10
If the device has a FailReasonString value in its hardware key, that string appears as the error message. The driver or enumerator puts this registry string value there. If there is no FailReasonString in the hardware key, you receive the following error message:

This device cannot start. (Code 10)

 

[bcastner]

The Intel mini-PCI adapters should be viewed as you would a light bulb in your closet.

Best wishes.

Bill Castner


____________________________
Users Helping Users

 

[daFranze]

>> Does it help if you remove or uninstall the Adapter from Device Manager and let XP rediscover it?

that's what I tried first, with the old XP installation and tried again after installing XP with SP1 and again with SP2. The result is always the same, Code 10.

@Bill
I tried to set the media sense to '0', no change.

I'm still guessing my MAC got lost. The 3com software shows a set of 00's as "network address".

my next steps: I will reinstall Red Hat Linux on the second partition and have a look if it works with it. Maybe the NIC needs a gentle shutdown? My Knoppix does not shut down the laptop properly (the PC does), I have to unplug AC and remove the battery...
If these things do not work I have to buy a PCMCIA NIC, since an onboard card is hard to change... ;-)

Best Regards, Franz
--
UNIX System Manager from Munich, Germany

 

[daFranze]

my HDD recently died - one problem never comes alone - so I first had to replace this...
I installed Red Hat 9, which has no problems starting this NIC, the MAC is fine, it's not empty.

Has anybody another idea or should I buy a pcmcia NIC next?

Best Regards, Franz
--
UNIX System Manager from Munich, Germany