XPS 8300 brand new connects to the Broadcom Netlink Communication card only after rebooting 3-4 times at cold-start.

I am having the same problem.  Began as intermittent failure to connect to internet. Dell test tool and control panel cannot see the Broadcom card.  Dell support remoted into my machine and reinstalled chipset driver which worked for a few days and now the problem is back.

Hello Christian.

I'm having exactly the same problem.  Brand new 8300.  It worked fine for a month.  I used to shut the system with the Sleep Mode.  It always works from a cold stard.  I found this link as a possible answer:

en.community.dell.com/.../18921466.aspx

I made the change a minute ago, I'll let you know if it solved the problem.

Good luck.

Sylvain.

Hello again.

It seems to be solved.  We'll see in a long term period if it's still ok.

Sylvain.

I'm in the same boat - it takes several reboots for the card to be seen (even though there is blinking activity at the jack).  I also noticed that if I have WiFi enabled it doesn't see the NIC.  Changing the Power Management options have had no effect for me (as it did for Sylvain).  

Guess I'll have to contact Dell Support as this has been bothering me for a few weeks now and the problem is getting worse.  I'll report back when this is resolved.

Bad news.

Two weeks later and the problem is back.  Why was it working fine 2 or 3 times a day during 2 weeks and then bad as if nothing had changed ?

Maybe a clue: One particular process ran before the return of the problem: the "Dell Support Center Checkup" !  It started automatically and I let it ran completely.  I first thought that it changed the Power Mng options, but no, they are still off for card.

Other symptom: I used the choose the Restart option in Windows in order to reboot my PC when the card was not seen.  The PC now freezes and I have to do a cold stop/start in order to have de PC back.

Let's keep informed of any additionnal hints.

Thank you.

Sylvain.

I'm having the same problem, although everything worked fine from when I bought the XPS 8300 late in August until a week last Tuesday (29-Nov-2011).  I've noticed that's the exact date that crom52 initially raised this call.  Leaving the machine on for a while and then rebooting seems to eventually lead to a connection (although it can take 3 - 4 attempts).  While the problem is there, the Broadcom Netlink device doesn't appear in the Device Manager and the router gets no status from the desktop (according to the lights on the front).  My router is a Netgear WGR614 and I'm running Windows Home Premium SP1.

I am having the exact same problems.  I've unchecked the "Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power", which improved the connection issue a bit.  However, I still have to reboot at least once a week (after computer is already turned on)  for my computer to recognize the network adapter.  I have called tech support twice and nothing seems to work.  It is difficult to diagnose this issue since it happens so randomly.  The tech support said the motherboard might have to be replaced.  I use my computer for work and cannot be without it for more than a day.  Very frustrated.  I am contemplating a installing a separate network card and just disabling the Broadcom.  

* Remove the Dell Support Center from Control Panel Add/Remove Programs
* Restart the PC
* Reinstall the XPS 8300 Chipset and Broadcom driver from the website, not your Resource DVD
* When done installing both, restart the PC and retest

Hi Chris,

I see two downloads available for the XPS8300 Chipset:

 * R284334.exe (2MB) / Chipset Software Install Utility

 * R284362.exe (4MB) / AMT HECI

I've got them both downloaded, but the readme files aren't overly descriptive.

Do we need to install them both?

Will we eventually be able to re-install the Dell Support Center Utility?

Thank You,

Ralph

I would like to know if  this solution helped:

Remove the Dell Support Center from Control Panel Add/Remove Programs

* Restart the PC

* Reinstall the XPS 8300 Chipset and Broadcom driver from the website, not your Resource DVD

* When done installing both, restart the PC and retest.

Thanks

Frustrations.........

It did not work.  I just rebooted 4 times and its still not recognizing the network adapter.  I'm using a USB wireless adapter to reply to this.  This is REALLY frustrating.

I called dell support today & they said they will have to come & pick it up to change the motherboard so it will take 100 work days. it's not a good sign i think is a assembling problem of the motherboard & the broadcom netwerkadapter.

So withing two days they will come & i have to wait at least 15 days. & i wish that this will solve the problem otherwise they will have to pay it back.

This problem is known also by the dell inspiron & other dell laptops so its for them to arrange it.

I will post the result as soon as i get my PC.

Thanks

100 work days??!!!  I use this computer for my home based business and I cant be without it for more than a day.  I guess I'm buying a new network card.  This is ridiculous, considering I spent over $1,000 on it.  All this talk about Dell having great costumer service is a complete joke.  I've spent over 2 hrs on the phone with tech support and thought we had figured it out.  The gal gave me a direct line and told me to leave a voicemail if it start again.  I've left 2 messages and no one has responded, which is why I resorted to this forum.

No, it didn't help at all, I'd even say that it's worst ;o(

Sylvain.