Problem uninstalling & re-installing driver for Broadcom 440x 10/100 NIC adapter

Question

Hi folks:   Although I am computer savvy and can fix even the most technical problems on my own, this one has me completely stumped. So, it is with a bit of sheepishness that I refer myself to Dell Community Forum technical support message boards. Any relevant information and insight into solving the problem would be most appreciated.   I'm using a Dell Dimension 2400 model PC, purchased in November 2003, and it's been absolutely great for me. I have had no complaints. However, a couple days ago, while removing trace files and registry entries that were left behind after the program's uninstallation routine completed its procedure  for an instant-messaging application I no longer intended to use and auto-installing the latest update from Microsoft Windows Update for Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition, when I rebooted my system I no longer had an Internet connection. Upon investigation through the Device Manager of the System window of Windows' Control Panel, it was determined my Broadcom 440x 10/100 NIC adapter was no longer functioning properly. I tried to uninstall the driver so that it could be reinstalled from the original driver files located on my system and Dell factory-provided drivers & utilities CD. However, when doing so, it said the uninstall failed as the device may be required for the system to boot up.   However, the funny thing was, even though it said it failed, it removed the device from the Device Manager list of network adapters. So, I rebooted and tried re-installing it; however, at the end of the 'Found New Hardware/Add Hardware' plug-and-play procedure, it says the device could not be installed as the file could not be found. I used the self-extracting EXE file for the correct network adapter from the Dell drivers & utilities CD, extracted it to a folder on my hard drive, and then using the 'Browse...' button in 'Add Hardware' searched out that exact folder containing the device's driver, the Broadcom 440x 10/100 Integrated Controller. It listed that exact name in the list of possible devices to use so it clearly recognized the file(s) in that folder: bcm4sbxp.sys, bcm4sbxp.inf, and bcm4sbxp.cat. I believe the INF file contains the installation routine for the driver.   Anyway, after it returns the error saying something to the effect of, 'Cannot install new hardware device,' it added the Broadcom 440x 10/100 Integrated Controller back into the Device Manager list of network devices with the yellow circle and black exclamation mark inside the box (same as before it was 'uninstalled'). As well, there are no other network devices installed except for a related Broadcom mini-port controller, though the exact name of that device escapes me.   Relevant error codes from the device status box include Code 1 and Code 31. Windows Help revealed no information for these code numbers.   If you require more details, please respond requesting this and I'll be happy to reply as soon as I get your message. Again, I look forward to quick and relevant information on this topic and hope we can work collaboratively to get this issue resolved. Your assistance is most appreciated. :smileyhappy:   Ciao, Doug M. dmehus at gmail dot com

volcano11 · Answer

I suggest you again uninstall the network adapter from Device Manger, reboot the computer, cancle the Install Hardware Wizard when it comes up, then run the driver installation file from the folder into which it was decompressed.  Do not try to install the drivers through Device Manager.  Running the installation file usually works much better.   Steve

volcano11 · Answer

Yes, it is strange that you get this message when you remove the device from Device Manager. I've never seen this and thus cannot explain it. Running the driver installation file should overwrite the necessary driver files, so I wouln't worry about it until you do that and see if the install is successful.

Steve

dmehus · Answer

Hi Steve:

Thank you for your prompt & courteous response! :smileyhappy:

I'll try what you suggest, but is it odd that when I uninstall the driver from the Device Manager it returns the error (or something to the effect of), "Failed to uninstall completely as this device may be needed for the computer to reboot" yet it does remove the device from the list of network adapters in the Device Manager? Is that a normal procedure? If not, how does one correct this so it uninstalls cleanly? Should it be removing bcm4sbxp.sys from C:\i386 and C:\Windows\System32 as presently, it leaves these files in their respective folders?

Also, when you say to install it manually, do you mean double-clicking the inf file? Won't that just open it in TextPad or Notepad?

Your continued follow-up responses are most appreciated. Thank you again for letting me pick your brain.

Ciao,
Doug M.

Networking, Internet, & Bluetooth

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