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John Oldham Author

Level 1

10 points

Ethernet adapter keeps needing to be reset in Windows 8.1

I am running Windows 8.1 on a Mid 2010 MacBook Pro 15" which has Mavericks installed. I am using the Broadcom NetExtreme Gigabit Ethernet driver (15.6.1.3) provided through Bootcamp 5.1. Eventually, during use, Ethernet connectivity will be lost, and I will need to reset the adapter. I have done this using the troubleshooting section of the Network And Sharing Center Control Panel, manually in the command prompt (ipconfig / release followed by ipconfig /renew), or by disabling and enabling the driver in Device Manager. All three methods get ethernet back but it will eventually drop out again. Usually, but not always, when this happens the indicator lights on the gigabit switch that my cable is connected to will blink rapidly even though there is no traffic. It happens much more frequently if I am streaming audio/video or copying a large file from other computers on my network. One time it kept happening over and over and I had to restart Windows to stop it. I have never had any issues like this booted as a Mac, and my network is fine. Other devices can copy files and use the internet, so I don't think it is an issue with my switch, modem, or router. Are there any changes to settings for the driver in Device Manager that would cure this? Or is there another solution? Thanks!

MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.6.6)

Posted on Nov 26, 2014 4:51 PM

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77 replies

Level 9

59,477 points

Nov 27, 2014 3:00 PM in response to John Oldham

I did a search in the BC drivers folder that I keep on my machine. As you can see your version is not in this list.

./4.0.4255/BootCamp/BootCamp.xml

--

<Name>Broadcom NetXtreme Gigabit Ethernet - NDIS 6.0

<DriverVer> 10/19/2011,15.0.0.21</DriverVer>

--

<Name>Broadcom NetXtreme Gigabit Ethernet - NDIS 6.0

<DriverVer> 10/19/2011,15.0.0.21</DriverVer>

--

./4.0.4326/BootCamp/BootCamp.xml

--

<Name>Broadcom NetXtreme Gigabit Ethernet - NDIS 6.0

<DriverVer> 02/10/2012,15.2.0.5</DriverVer>

--

<Name>Broadcom NetXtreme Gigabit Ethernet - NDIS 6.0

<DriverVer> 02/10/2012,15.2.0.5</DriverVer>

--

./4.1.4586/BootCamp/BootCamp.xml

--

<Name>Broadcom NetXtreme Gigabit Ethernet - NDIS 6.0

<DriverVer> 09/04/2012,15.4.0.17</DriverVer>

--

<Name>Broadcom NetXtreme Gigabit Ethernet - NDIS 6.0

<DriverVer> 09/04/2012,15.4.0.17</DriverVer>

--

./5.0.5033/BootCamp5/BootCamp/BootCamp.xml

--

<Name>Broadcom NetXtreme Gigabit Ethernet - NDIS 6.0

<DriverVer> 09/04/2012,15.4.0.17</DriverVer>

--

<Name>Broadcom NetXtreme Gigabit Ethernet - NDIS 6.0

<DriverVer> 09/04/2012,15.4.0.17</DriverVer>

--

./5.1.5621/BootCamp5/BootCamp/BootCamp.xml

--

<Name>Broadcom NetXtreme Gigabit Ethernet - NDIS 6.0

<DriverVer> 09/04/2012,15.4.0.17</DriverVer>

--

<Name>Broadcom NetXtreme Gigabit Ethernet - NDIS 6.0

<DriverVer> 09/04/2012,15.4.0.17</DriverVer>

--

./5.1.5640/BootCamp5/BootCamp/BootCamp.xml

--

<Name>Broadcom NetXtreme Gigabit Ethernet - NDIS 6.0

<DriverVer> 09/04/2012,15.4.0.17</DriverVer>

--

<Name>Broadcom NetXtreme Gigabit Ethernet - NDIS 6.0

<DriverVer> 09/04/2012,15.4.0.17</DriverVer>

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John Oldham Author

Level 1

10 points

Nov 27, 2014 3:12 PM in response to Loner T

We may be almost there. While I was in Apple's Support area, I noticed a reference to Bootcamp Support Software 5.1.5621 and was downloading it when your post asking about it came in. I'm not sure what version of Bootcamp SW I am currently using but I downloaded it through the Bootcamp Assistant app in Maverick's, so it should have been the right one. I will load the 5.1.5621 drivers, retest, and let you know what happened and what version ethernet driver I have.

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John Oldham Author

Level 1

10 points

Nov 27, 2014 4:00 PM in response to John Oldham

I downloaded and installed the 5.1.5621 drivers. After restarting I was still using Broadcom NetXtreme Gigabit Ethernet driver 15.6.1.3. I uninstalled the driver through Device Manager and reinstalled the Bootcamp drivers and restarted. Still on 15.6.1.3 (?). The Bootcamp setup only gives me the "Repair" option, which hopefully writes over the existing drivers. I will retest anyway for the symptom, but I have reinstalled the Bootcamp drivers previously. I will update.

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Level 9

59,477 points

Nov 27, 2014 4:09 PM in response to John Oldham

It seems your Driver Update was done via Windows Update. One option you do have is this, put the 5.1.5621 .zip file on the Windows side. Uninstall all Apple and Windows drivers (using Sysprep - http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc766514%28v=ws.10%29.aspx ). This step also removes USB drivers hence the .zip file is put on the Windows locally first.

Then install 5.1.5621 drivers.

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John Oldham Author

Level 1

10 points

Nov 27, 2014 4:23 PM in response to Loner T

I will try that but won't be able to do anything more until tomorrow. I will let you know. I think we're close. Thanks for all your help so far. If Sysprep removes ALL drivers then I assume that Windows Update will run and reinstall all needed Windows drivers. I assume that I will have to make sure that it does not install 15.6.1.3 again.

By the way the symptom happened again while I was writing this post.

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John Oldham Author

Level 1

10 points

Nov 27, 2014 4:26 PM in response to John Oldham

Additional question. If Windows Update installed the suspect driver why didn't my recent Bootcamp driver reinstall overwrite it?

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Level 9

59,477 points

Nov 27, 2014 5:21 PM in response to John Oldham

1. Disable Automatic Updates. Manually apply updates after you select individual ones.

2. Do not apply any Driver Updates.

3. Your Bootcamp Drivers update contains an older (15.4.0.17) version in Bootcamp. The installers always check if there is a newer (15.6.1.3) already installed. It will just skip the installation.

4. Sysprep will remove 15.6.1.3, so you can install 15.4.0.17.

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Level 9

59,477 points

Nov 27, 2014 7:06 PM in response to John Oldham

Can you check your Windows Update log for successful updates in history if they contain this driver? It should be visible in Windows Update itself, otherwise you can use http://support.microsoft.com/kb/902093.

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John Oldham Author

Level 1

10 points

Nov 28, 2014 2:19 PM in response to Loner T

I checked using both methods but did not find any specific reference to the Broadcom NetXtreme Gigabit driver. When I searched for "Device Driver" in the Windows Update log I found numerous entries but none of them specifically referenced any driver.

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John Oldham Author

Level 1

10 points

Nov 28, 2014 3:07 PM in response to Loner T

I tried using Sysprep as you suggested. I did remove the device drivers. I checked Device Manager and they were gone. I then proceeded to the desktop and ran the Bootcamp installer. It finished and I restarted per instructions. Now, part way through restarting I get a dialog box which says:

Windows could not complete the installation. To install Windows on this computer, restart the installation."

I tried numerous restarts with the same result. Is my Windows system now hosed? Please respond.

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Level 9

59,477 points

Nov 28, 2014 3:07 PM in response to John Oldham

If you have the 5.1.5621 .zip file on the Windows side, go to Device Manager and delete the Ethernet adapter and reboot. It will become an unknown device. Use the Broadcom directory in the Bootcamp folder and install the 15.4.0.17 driver. Retest your Video streaming solution.

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John Oldham Author

Level 1

10 points

Nov 28, 2014 3:11 PM in response to Loner T

How can I do that if I can no longer boot into Windows after running Sysprep. Please see my previous note.

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Level 9

59,477 points

Nov 28, 2014 4:19 PM in response to John Oldham

Our posts crossed, I had assumed that Sysprep was dropped in order to debug the specific driver.

Sysprep 'generalizes' the Windows installations to make it a generic one.You will need to run Windows Repair to get to the same point again. Were these the settings?

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John Oldham Author

Level 1

10 points

Nov 28, 2014 4:27 PM in response to Loner T

Yes except "Quit" instead of "Shutdown". That was so I could run the Bootcamp Install as instructed.

So how do I run Windows Repair on a Windows partition that I cannot boot to? Bear in mind that I have no other PC (I'm now booted from Mavericks). Is there a way to boot in Safe Mode like holding down Shift Key on a Mac? I have already had to "Nuke and pave" this system once because of malware. How many times can I do that before I can no longer use my Product code. Your latest suggestion sounded a lot safer than Sysprep. Why didn't you suggest that before?

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Level 9

59,477 points

Nov 28, 2014 4:42 PM in response to John Oldham

John Oldham wrote:

Why didn't you suggest that before?

I should have. 😟 It would have made your life simpler too.

Since you have a 2010 MBP, you would have used the W8.1 installation DVD and the USB stick with BC drivers. Before you execute these steps, let us make sure we do not cause more issues.

1. Insert the W8.1 DVD.

2. Plug in the USB with BC drivers.

3. In System Preferences -> Startup Disk select your Bootcamp volume (not the W8.1 DVD).

4. Click on Restart.

5. It should boot from the DVD or present a message about pressing any key to boot from the DVD. Press the space bar and let it boot from the DVD. You should see an Advanced Options screen which should let you Repair the installation.

If it behaves differently, please post back.

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Ethernet adapter keeps needing to be reset in Windows 8.1

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