Apple Event: May 7th at 7 am PT

> Learn more

> Add to your calendar 

Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

User profile for user: John Oldham
John Oldham Author
User level: 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

Reply
77 replies
User profile for user: John Oldham
John Oldham Author
User level: Level 1
10 points

Nov 26, 2014 9:08 PM in response to Loner T

If I understand you I believe I have lost connectivity to both layers. I have lost connectivity while downloading (especially while streaming) from the internet, and also while transferring data between this computer and another one on the network. My network is a simple home network with everyone on the same node (WORKGROUP). All of my other computers are Macs just running some flavor of OSX. Unfortunately I don't have another Windows PC to test with.


I did not think to test for network connectivity after losing internet connectivity. Unfortunately, although the symptom eventually will occur, I don't know when. I can't do X and always get Y. I've streamed for 10 minutes or an hour before it happens, which make diagnosis tricky.


The only commonality seems to be data load, i.e. if I am streaming or copying large data files. If it was OSX I would look at clearing caches or running Onyx, but my Windows chops are not as deep.


Could dealing with packet sizes be an issue? Thanks for responding and have a Happy Thanksgiving.

Reply
User profile for user: John Oldham
John Oldham Author
User level: Level 1
10 points

Nov 27, 2014 9:26 AM in response to Loner T

Topology: Three, sometimes 4, Macs, an Airport Extreme g router (last of the "flying saucer" models), a ZyXel DSL modem, a Netgear 8 port gigabit switch.


No such problems at all on the Mac for three years. Windows 8.1 was installed via Bootcamp about three weeks ago.


I have never been able to reproduce the issue while booted from Windows and connected via Wi-Fi only. Just ethernet.


When the Bootcamped Mac has the issue, none of the other devices on the network have any issues with internet or data transfer.

Reply
User profile for user: Loner T
Loner T
User level: Level 9
59,471 points

Nov 27, 2014 10:15 AM in response to John Oldham

Is the Netgear an unmanaged switch or is it a managed switch (with a UI)?


As a test, can you disconnect the Netgear, and plug the MBP into the LAN port of the Airport G to see if the problem can be duplicated? The other reason to try this is that you do not have the issue when using WiFi, which bypasses the Netgear. This may also be related to your adapter/drivers as well (en0 vs en1), This should also help eliminate driver issues.

Reply
User profile for user: John Oldham
John Oldham Author
User level: Level 1
10 points

Nov 27, 2014 12:19 PM in response to John Oldham

I am having the same symptom with a different cable. This was the worst one yet. I could not reset the ethernet adapter using the Network And Sharing Center troubleshooting, the command prompt, or the Device Manager. Even restart was going nowhere (stuck on the Restarting screen with moving progress indicator) until I unplugged the ethernet cable from my MBP. Then restart proceeded normally.


During this incident I noticed that the indicator light on the Extreme router was blinking rapidly as on the Netgear switch when I had this happen before.


At least we've eliminated the switch and cabling as a cause. Looks like we are down to something on the Mac when booted from Windows, or maybe the router.

Reply
User profile for user: Loner T
Loner T
User level: Level 9
59,471 points

Nov 27, 2014 2:41 PM in response to John Oldham

Yes.


Are you using Boot Camp Support Software 5.1.5621


System Requirements

  • MacBook Air (11-inch & 13-inch, Mid 2011)
  • MacBook Air (11-inch & 13-inch, Mid 2012)
  • MacBook Pro (15-inch & 17-inch, Mid 2010)
  • MacBook Pro (13-inch, & 15-inch, Early 2011)
  • MacBook Pro (17-inch, Early 2011)
  • MacBook Pro (13-inch,15-inch & 17-inch Late 2011)
  • MacBook Pro (13-inch & 15-inch, Mid 2012)
  • MacBook Pro (Retina, Mid 2012)
  • MacBook Pro (Retina, 13-inch, Late 2012)
  • MacBook Pro (Retina, 13-inch and 15-inch, Early 2013)
  • Mac Pro (Early 2009)
  • Mac Pro (Mid 2010)
  • Mac Pro (Mid 2012)
  • Mac mini (Mid 2011)
  • Mac mini (Late 2012)
  • iMac (27-inch, Mid 2010)
  • iMac (21.5-inch & 27-inch, Mid 2011)
  • iMac (21.5-inch & 27-inch, Late 2012)
  • iMac (21.5-inch) Early 2013
  • Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows 8.1, 64 bit


In Bootcamp.xml this is what it will show


<!--Information on Boot Camp build-->

<BuildInfo BuildNumber="5621" ProductName="Boot Camp">

<MsiInfo>

<ProductManufacturer>Apple Inc.</ProductManufacturer>

<ProductVersion>5.1.5621</ProductVersion>

<ProductCode>{FA2B2C2A-EA41-495A-9308-60726125D562}</ProductCode>



And the driver in the file shows up as


</Name>

<Name>Broadcom NetXtreme Gigabit Ethernet - NDIS 6.0

<InfName>b57nd60x.inf</InfName>

<Class> Net</Class>

<ClassGUID> {4d36e972-e325-11ce-bfc1-08002be10318}</ClassGUID>

<CatalogFile> b57nd60x.cat</CatalogFile>

<Provider>Broadcom</Provider>

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

<ServiceBinary>b57nd60x.sys</ServiceBinary>

<HardwareID></HardwareID>

<isX64>no</isX64>

</Name>

<Name>Broadcom NetXtreme Gigabit Ethernet - NDIS 6.0

<InfName>b57nd60a.inf</InfName>

<Class> Net</Class>

<ClassGUID> {4d36e972-e325-11ce-bfc1-08002be10318}</ClassGUID>

<CatalogFile> b57nd60a.cat</CatalogFile>

<Provider>Broadcom</Provider>

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

<ServiceBinary>b57nd60a.sys</ServiceBinary>

<HardwareID></HardwareID>

<isX64>yes</isX64>

</Name>



I am not sure how you are getting Broadcom NetExtreme Gigabit Ethernet driver (15.6.1.3).

Reply

Ethernet adapter keeps needing to be reset in Windows 8.1

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple ID.
Learn more Sign up