Vista/Memory/NetGear Problem

Question

I have an Inspiron 530, Dual Core Intel Chip, and had 4 Giga Bytes of RAM. I installed a NetGear WG311v3 Wireless PCI Adapter in PCI slot #2. The computer could see the card but kept giving me a Code 10 error. That is the software would not "start." NetGear states the WG311v3 is fully compatible with Vista.

After fighting this issue of hours, and Internet search revealed there was a way to get the sytem to work. That was a simple fix. Remove two Gigs of RAM and the card would operate just fine. So I removed two sticks of memory and sure enough, the card loaded and now I have WiFi.

So once again the wornderful software of Microsoft has stuck its finger in the eye of the user. I had something similar with Windows 98 years ago where it would crash on loading because more than one stick of memory was being used. When I told Microsoft about it they graciously offered to fix it for about $50 an hour. Of course, I said, "Not my problem, it is yours!"

So now I am down to 2 Giga bytes of RAM and all is okay.

Perhaps someone or Microsoft (or Dell who also offered to fix the problem for extra money) can come up with a solution that will allow me to use the other two sticks of memory (otherwise, I have wasted my money on useless memory).

Cheers,

Chip

fireberd · Answer

It's a Netgear problelm, NOT a Dell or Microsoft problem. The Netgear card has a memory compatibility problem. Netgear is responsible for making their card work with the Operating System and the PC hardware, not the other way around as you suggest. I would return that card and get one that is 100% compatible.

That would be like having a Ford car (or whatever brand) and you buy an aftermarket part made by company other than Ford that is supposed to work in a Ford and it doesn't work or work correctly. It's not Ford's responsibility to make their vehicle compatible with the 3rd party aftermarket part.

mpo · Answer

The issue is with Netgear's inability to develop drivers that work with contemporary computer setups (e.g., anything with more than 2GB of RAM or any 64-bit OS).

The Netgear support forum has a workaround posted here ( http://forum1.netgear.com/showthread.php?t=26340 ):

For those own WG311 family adapter and experiencing the issue installing the driver, please follow the simple instructions

Issues: Code 10 error, Physical Memory is 2GB +

1. Go to http://www.station-drivers.com/page/marvell.htm
and download the Marvell Libertas driver Version 1.0.0.53 date: 10/16/2007

2. Run the self-extracting Zip file to uncompress the driver files

3. Under driver\inf\Vista...\32BITS there is a file called "netmw13b". Copy this file to c:\windows\system32\drivers, overwriting the file that is currently there

4. Reboot Vista

There. Four easy steps. Someone please give this a try and let us know whether it's really that simple.

Notes...

32 bit Vista SP1 will install a May '07 driver which will not allow more than 2Gb RAM .Run InvokeSetup after extracting and v. 1.0.0.53 of the driver will be installed. After doing this I added 2GB more RAM (4GB total) and everything works.

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System with 4GB of physical memory ( Some extra tips)

he idea is to use PAE (Physical Address Extension) so that 32 Bit Windows can address addresses above 4Gigs of RAM.

To do it on Windows Vista 32

1) Open Command Prompt As Administrator

2) Type this line and hit Enter

BCDEdit /set PAE forceenable

To do it on Windows Xp 32

1) Open "boot.ini" file from your c: (Its Hidden By Default, So, You Need To "Show OS Files" In Folder Options.

2) Add "/PAE" At The End.

Eg.

[boot loader]
timeout=30
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOW S
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS="Windo ws Xp Professional" /fastdetect /PAE

Thats All, And I Hope Yours Can Work Just As Mine Did.

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If You Happen To Screw Up Something You Can Restore Things By:

Vista 32:

1) Open Command Prompt As Administrator

2) Type this line and hit Enter

BCDEdit /deletevalue PAE

Windows General

Vista/Memory/NetGear Problem

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