Device Manager, not see wired network adapter

[robert213]

Background:
A friend and I are learning to build a Web Services server. He has a Dell XPS 8300 i-Core 5 Tower. I have MS Windows Server 2008 R2 Operating System.

I have learned that most common Windows Services (e.g. MS .NET Framework, and SNMP) are not automatically "turned-on" like as on Windows 7. So, I have purchased a copy of the book "Windows Server 2008 R2 Unleashed".

I understand that at a later date, I will have a need to install at least one more wired LAN network adapter (i.e. mini-PCI NIC) to build the server properly.

Immediate Problem:
Device Manager, does not see wired LAN network adapter.

I do not see it listed under "Network Adapters" list. I do not have any yellow "!" or "?" anywhere.

Does the sequence of install hardware device drivers matter? I discovered this list of DELL recommended drivers after I installed chipset driver downloaded from Intel's website and I failed in attempting driver for LAN Network Adapter from Broadcom's website.

Then, after opening up the case, I discovered that LAN port and two USB ports are physically part of the same adapter located on the motherboard. So, I attempted to install NEC USB 3.0 Host Controller Driver.

Then, I discovered another chipset driver, Intel AMT HECI driver.

My plan is to un-install NEC USB 3.0 and Broadcom LAN driver and re-install drivers in the correct sequence.

However, Device Manager does not see Broadcom LAN driver and running Broadcom's Utility Program (listed in Programs under Control Panel) from the "Start" Menu doesn't seem to work. Thus, I am unable to cleanly un-install Broadcom LAN driver.

So, it appears that I will need to re-install Windows Server 2008 R2 from the top.

Is this the proper sequence for installing drivers?

Chipset - Intel Chipset Software Installation Utility (R284334.exe)
Chipset - Intel AMT HECI Driver (R284362.exe)
USB/LAN Port - NEC USB 3.0 Host Controller (R266197.exe)
LAN Adapter - Broadcom BCM57788 Ethernet Controller Driver (R282233.exe)

Reference Info:
http://www.dell.com/support/home/us/en/ ... 00/manuals

[Drivers & Downloads]

ChipSet

Intel Chipset Software Installation Utility
This package provides the Intel Chipset Software Installation Utility and is supported on Vostro Desktop 460 and XPS Desktop 8300/8300N that...

R284334.exe | Hard-Drive (3 MB)
Chipset |
Release date 09 Jan 2011
| Last Updated 23 Dec 2013
| Recommended
Version 9.2.0.1015,A00

Intel AMT HECI Driver
This package provides the Intel AMT HECI Driver and is supported on Vostro Desktop 460 and XPS Desktop 8300/8300N that are running on the fo...
R284362.exe | Hard-Drive (4 MB)
Chipset |
Release date 09 Jan 2011
| Last Updated 23 Dec 2013
| Recommended
Version 7.0.0.1118,A00

Network

Broadcom BCM57788 Ethernet Controller Driver
R282233.exe | Hard-Drive (130 MB)
Network |
Release date 09 Jan 2011
| Last Updated 12 Dec 2013
| Recommended
Version 14.2.0.7,A00

Dell Wireless WLAN 1501 Half Mini-Card Driver
R283152.exe | Hard-Drive (96 MB)
Network |
Release date 09 Jan 2011
| Last Updated 13 Dec 2013
| Recommended
Version 5.60.48.35,A00

Dell Wireless WLAN 1520 Half MiniCard Driver
R283192.exe | Hard-Drive (96 MB)
Network |
Release date 09 Jan 2011
| Last Updated 12 Dec 2013
| Recommended
Version 5.60.48.35,A00

Modem/Communications

NEC USB 3.0 Host Controller Driver
R266197.exe | Hard-Drive (7 MB)
Modem/Communications |
Release date 10 Jan 2011
| Last Updated 13 Dec 2013
| Recommended
Version 10170,A00

Driver Sequence:
http://www.dell.com/support/article/us/ ... N148687/EN

[robert213]

I received a suggestion...

Go into BIOS Setup, advanced settings.
Locate "Integrated NIC"
Set to "Disabled"
Start Windows
Shutdown
Go Into BIOS Setup, advanced settings (second time).
Locate "Integrated NIC"
Set to "Enabled"

I received another suggestion...

Did "NIC" appear under Device Manager when machine was running under Windows 7 Home edition?

Unfortunately, I wiped the HD before verifying Device Manager and saving C:\DELL\DRIVER\R999999.exe files.

Fortunately, I did make all software recovery (including Windows 7 Home edition) DVD discs before wiping the HD. Perhaps, I'll re-install the Windows 7 Home on another HD and check LAN connectivity.

[dr_st]

I would check that the LAN controller is enabled in the BIOS.

Did you actually try installing the Broadcom driver? It wasn't clear to me from your post.

The order of driver installation in your link looks reasonable, but I daresay it does not really matter, as long as the Chipset and Graphics drivers are installed among the first ones.

The fact that the LAN port and USB ports are physically located on the same block of ports on the back of the motherboard by no means suggest that they are somehow related or are managed by the same chip. The NEC USB 3.0 driver you mentioned has absolutely nothing to do with LAN, and in fact I would not be sure you even have such a controller in your computer (the manual lists it as 'optional').

[robert213]

I would check that the LAN controller is enabled in the BIOS.

Did you actually try installing the Broadcom driver? It wasn't clear to me from your post.

Yes, I ran...
Broadcom BCM57788 Ethernet Controller Driver
R282233.exe | Hard-Drive (130 MB)

No, I have not run the driver install program for the graphics.

Yes, I will...
browse the BIOS setup to see if the NIC is disabled:

System Configuration:
Onboard LAN Controller — Enabled or Disabled (Enabled by default)

Meanwhile, I purchased a brand-new...
Broadcom NetXtreme BCM5721 PCI-Express Network Adapter Card

I will report back next FRI with the results.

[robert213]

I would check that the LAN controller is enabled in the BIOS.

I verified BIOS settings...
"Advanced"
"Onboard LAN Controller" was already [Enabled]

Allowed Windows Server OS to start up.
Verified "Device Manager"
No Question Marks. No Network Adapter

Shutdown/Power-up/BIOS
"Onboard LAN Controller" changed to [Disabled]

Allowed Windows Server OS to start up.
Verified "Device Manager"
No Question Marks. No Network Adapter


Shutdown/Power-up/BIOS
"Onboard LAN Controller" changed to [Enabled]

Allowed Windows Server OS to start up.
Verified "Device Manager"
No Question Marks. No Network Adapter

I will presume that on-board NIC is broken.

Shutdown machine

I installed Broadcom NetXtreme BCM5721 PCI-Express Network Adapter Card

I had previously installed driver from attempting to make Broadcom on-board NIC work.

Broadcom BCM57788 Ethernet Controller Driver
R282233.exe | Hard-Drive (130 MB)

Power-up
Allowed Windows Server OS to start up.
Verified "Device Manager"
Now, I have Network Adapter listing Broadcom NetExtreme driver

Yes, under Network Connections/Change Adapter Settings, I have an icon for Local Area Connection.

Yes, I still need to install the driver for the graphics.

[Puppy]

I understand that at a later date, I will have a need to install at least one more wired LAN network adapter (i.e. mini-PCI NIC) to build the server properly.

No, you can test it locally using a loopback adapter.

[dr_st]

One other thing to try (if hasn't been tried yet) is plugging a cable into the onboard LAN port (which is also connected to some known good device - another computer or a switch / router), and seeing whether there are any LEDs that light up. I have seen some LAN device / driver combinations, that with a disconnected cable would put the device into such a "deep sleep" state that would cause it to completely disappear off the PCI bus (and so Device Manager would not pick it up).