Problem with Realtek PCIe GBE network card.

[maniac]

This is on my home PC and is a very odd problem I've not seen before.

 

The network card is a Realtek PCIe 8168 GBE which is built into a gigabyte mainboard, and the computer is running windows XP. When you first turn the computer on it works fine, then anywhere from 30secs to 5mins later it will suddenly tell you the network cable is disconnected - it isn't (and I've tried a new cable) of course you lose all network connectivity.

 

If you disable the network card then try re-enabling it, it will report as 'connection failed' and not allow me to re-enable the card - never seen this before.

 

Leave it a bit longer and the device will effectivly un-install its self and appear under 'other devices' in control panel as if there's no driver installed for it - which there is.

 

I've tried installing the latest driver for it, but when it's in that state it will not recognise the drivers are for the device and the setup program tells me there is no compatible device in this computer. You have to force them to install through device manager, which I've done and it's made no difference.

 

The really odd thing is if I re-boot the computer, it will work fine for another 5 minutes or so then do the same thing again, so I'm convinced it's a software problem of some sort, I just don't know what might be causing it.

 

I've come across other people mentioning simelar problems when doing a google search for the issue, but no one seems to know precisely what's causing it or how to solve it. Any ideas anyone?

 

Mike.

[mac_shinobi]

onboard lan(Realtek RTL8168/8111 PCI-E Gigabit Ethernet NIC)?? - Network-General-Discussions - General-Networking

 

If you are doing windows update, do not allow it to update or change the driver(s) for the network card. Roll back to the original driver or get the driver from the gigabyte website for that network card

 

Also see below :

 

 

 

 

+1 to that. Had the same problem with a brand new Gigabyte mobo and no network. Yellow mark in device manager.

 

Unplugging the power and draining the caps brought it to life. I owe the OP a beer!

Mr. Anonymous, I would like to thank you for solving my problem. After disabling WOL, and completely powering the system off (and draining the caps by attempting a power-on), I was able to connect once again.

 

some cases requires removing cmos battery, power lead etc to lose all settings completely.

 

Also curious if there are any bios updates that help or resolve this issue - might be worth while checking the read me for the bios update for your motherboard.

Edited April 21, 2011 by mac_shinobi