Network Controller Problem

[TerryLiv]

Computer is a Dell Inspiron 9400 laptop, about 3 years old with XP Home, SP-2. It broke and diagnostics said it was the hard drive. I bought a new drive and 2GB of memory and installed them. Everything seemed to go well. When trying to connect to my wireless network I discovered that the Network Controller had a problem, in fact everything in the device manager section titled "Other Devices" had a yellow question mark.

This included:

Base System Device
Ethernet Controller
Network Controller
PCI Device
SM Bus Controller
Video Controller
Video Controller (VGA Compatible)

I tried loading the driver from both the CD for Windows XP SP2 and the CD for Drivers. Both supplied from Dell. It kept saying could not locate the correct device driver. Giving a: "This device is not configured correctly. (code 1)" Trying to reinstall drivers did not work.

My thought (guess) is that some chip handling all of these functions is toast.

Suggestions?

Thanks,
__________________
Terry,
91 AWD

[Overkill]

Reflash the bios or bring it to me and I'll fix it!

[Dane Becher]

I'd download the network adapter drivers from dell's website (http://support.dell.com/support/downloads/index.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=gen) from another computer and transfer via flash drive (or other external media) to the laptop. Hopefully this will install, then you can get the laptop online and download/install the rest of the unrecognized (yellow) devices in device manager.

Not all drivers listed on Dell's site for your model will install, so if you aren't sure, just download it and attempt install. It'll tell you if you have the hardware installed or not.

I wouldn't worry about firmware, utilities or apps right now from Dell, unless it's something you know you use.

Also Windows Update sometimes has drivers, so always a good place to try if you can get your network driver functional.

Post back if you still can't get it to work. I've been through this more times than I can count.

[mpdeneen]

Does the ethernet jack work? You could do your updates from a wired connection if it does...

[Dane Becher]

Reflash the bios
As a last resort maybe. Flashing the bios can have some very undesired results if done incorrectly, including turning it into a paperweight.:eek:

Code 1 means the driver is not installed: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310123

[JSMCPN]

Yea, BIOS flash is 99% unnecessary unless you are experiencing a specific issue that is covered by that flash.

You can probably not access the internet at all currently, I see both your WLAN and Ethernet device drivers are missing. Here are the drivers you need for your Inspiron 9400:

Ethernet driver is HERE (ftp://ftp.us.dell.com/network/R149798.EXE)

SMBUS and BASE SYSTEM DEVICE will be covered by the Intel Chipset driver HERE (ftp://ftp.us.dell.com/chipset/R114079.EXE)

Both the VIDEO CONTROLLER device drivers are HERE(If your laptop has the INTEL GMA945 device) (ftp://ftp.us.dell.com/video/R153830.EXE) *OR* HERE(If your laptop has the ATI x1400-series device) (ftp://ftp.us.dell.com/video/R128572.EXE) *OR* HERE(If it's the NVIDIA devices) (ftp://ftp.us.dell.com/video/R158348.EXE)

The NETWORK CONTROLLER device is almost surely the Wireless card. The driver is HERE(If it's the Dell 1390/1490 device) (ftp://ftp.us.dell.com/network/Dell_multi-device_A17_R174291.exe) *OR* HERE(If your laptop has the Dell 1500 device) (ftp://ftp.us.dell.com/network/R151519.EXE) *OR* HERE(If it's the Intel PRO 3945ABG device) (ftp://ftp.us.dell.com/network/Intel_multi-device_A13_R171131.exe)

The unknown PCI DEVICE will either be taken care of by the Chipset driver, or you may have to download an additional driver. If the latter is true, the Chipset driver will likely change the name of the device to something meaningful enough to tell you what additional driver to search for. I suspect it is either your Wireless card, or a Bluetooth device.

That should get most of your devices enabled. Installing the Chipset driver might uncover additional devices that haven't been detected yet.
All drivers for your 9400 are HERE (http://support.dell.com/support/downloads/driverslist.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=gen&ServiceTag=&SystemID=INS_PNT_P4_9400&os=WW1&osl=en&catid=&impid=)

Enjoy!

[TerryLiv]

Thank you all. I finally found time to try your driver recommendations and it now works.

Except for the shutting down problem. It acts like it is overheating and the CPU senses too much heat and shuts everything down. I looked and the fan is not turning. With that knowledge, I order a refurbished one from Dell. Not a bad deal for a new $10 fan, oh, but it was refurbished and cost $45.

Wish me better success.

Terry
91 AWD

[Dane Becher]

Good work Terry!

Except for the shutting down problem. It acts like it is overheating and the CPU senses too much heat and shuts everything down. I looked and the fan is not turning.

If you are into tinkering, you can often revive those fans. Pull the fan from the machine (easier said than done in any laptop). Peel up the sticker on the underside of the fan so you can access the sleeve bearing. Add some grease to the bearing and spin it by hand (or compressed air) to work in the grease. Re-attach the sticker and reinstall the fan in the machine. Power up the machine. Sometimes the fan will need a bit of help to get started the first time but after the grease is worked in it'll run like new.

I've had computer fans get really slow/noisy or stop completely and this has worked almost every time, unless the fan is too far gone. Catch it early and you've easily doubled its life. There's never enough grease in them from the factory!

[TerryLiv]

Dane,

Thanks, I will try that after my refurbished fan arrives, so that if it doesn't work I won't have to take the stupid case apart twice.

Terry

[JSMCPN]

I've repaired hundreds of fans this way, laser printers, desktop PC power supplies, network switches. The repairs almost always last the life of the equipment.
I never thought anyone else knew about this!

My procedure is almost exactly the same: Remove the bearing sticker, fill the hole with TV/Radio Tuner cleaner, blow it out with air, repeat a few times, put in a couple drops of WD40, then pack it full of Lubriplate grease. Clean off the plastic surfaces, re-apply original sticker and cover it with a thick coat of rubber cement. Spin the fan by hand a few times and power it up. Leave it running until it quiets down.

[TerryLiv]

I've repaired hundreds of fans this way, laser printers, desktop PC power supplies, network switches. The repairs almost always last the life of the equipment.
I never thought anyone else knew about this!

My procedure is almost exactly the same: Remove the bearing sticker, fill the hole with TV/Radio Tuner cleaner, blow it out with air, repeat a few times, put in a couple drops of WD40, then pack it full of Lubriplate grease. Clean off the plastic surfaces, re-apply original sticker and cover it with a thick coat of rubber cement. Spin the fan by hand a few times and power it up. Leave it running until it quiets down.

Jesse,

Thanks for the advice. I have too many other things to do now, but will let you know the results after I get to this.

Terry