Broadcom 57xx - Precision 380

Question

We recently purchased two new Dell Precision 380 systems with the Broadcom NetXtreme 57xx Gigabit Controllers. We have experienced intermittent problems with not being able to access the Internet from any of our machines on the LAN. We can ping IP addresses successfully, but cannot access the Internet via browsers or connect to download email. It was suggested that perhaps our NIC cards in the new Precision systems were incompatible with our network or otherwise disrupting network traffic. We have tried removing these two systems from the network and it would appear that network traffic is restored after recycling our connection and leaving these two systems off the network.

Are there any know compatibility problems with the Broadcom NetXtreme 57xx? Our drivers on both new machines are dated April 2005.

Thanks,

Marc

Sonoran · Answer

I'm having this same issue. I've noticed on all the new 380's I am running into the same problem. On the first 2 I was able to fix the problem by entering a static IP or going back to a restore point. These fixes have failed on the third. Were you able to solve the problem? I have tried different nic's which temporarly solved the issue. This fix is never permanant.

ryseelt · Answer

Hi,

I've got the exact same problem. A Precision 380 with a Broadcom 57xx nic (WinXP32). One of three of these client machines cannot get an ip address from the dhcp server (etech router); the other two do! Setting this 'failing' nic to a static ip resolves the matter, however, one would like to have the tcp/ip settings set to dynamic. Dell supports is probably not aware of more people having the same problem since they first blame the dhcp server. I, however, think that this may be a driverissue, concerning the 1Gb NIC. No newer drivers were found, nor on the Dell website, nor on windowsupdate.

Strangly my issue was resolved when I implemented a MS SBS 2003 Server, running it's own dhcp server (I disabled the etech). One might say that indeed the dhcp server was the problem but that does not explain why the other workstations didn't fail (note: I tried the failing workstation with and without the other workstations switched on). What MS SBS 2003 also did was loading a new user profile on the workstation (since you will work with server accounts, logging on to the domain.) It seems that the problem lies somewhere inbetween the driver and the network (let's look into the osi model again:)).

For now,
ryseelt

WalterInVegas · Answer

Here is what I found on the subject that may apply.

This article was previously published under Q326152

Windows XP-based systems that use Gigabit Ethernet devices may not be able to log on to an Active Directory domain, which aborts the Group Policy download process

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem...

Checkout the article in Microsoft's knowledge base, there is a registry hack that may or may not help.

WalterInVegas · Answer

Here is what I found on the subject that may apply.

This article was previously published under Q326152

Windows XP-based systems that use Gigabit Ethernet devices may not be able to log on to an Active Directory domain, which aborts the Group Policy download process

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem...

Checkout the article in Microsoft's knowledge base, there is a registry hack that may or may not help.

Archangela · Answer

I have a number of Dell 8400's and a Dell Inspiron 600m with BCM NetXtreme 57 xx Gig NIC's.  One of the 8400's and the Laptop when on my home network which is Cable (Comcast) through a Linksys Router cannot effectively 'upload data' -- Downloads work fine between 3Mb and 4Mb/sec, but uploads just time out, disconnect or clock in between 4Kb - 40Kb/sec -- a lot slower than my dial-up modem. I have been trouble shooting this problem for the past year, and I have honed in on the compatibility of Broadcom NIC and the Cable router and the dynamic IP address-- since I have ruled out nearly everything else.     Whether one connects through the Linksys router, wirelessly through Netgear to Linksys, directly to the Toshiba cable modem -- the two Dells will not upload data.  Any other type of computer will work fine, however, -- an old  Portege Toshiba running Windows 2000, a Dell Dimension XPS 233, running Windows 98, a Sony Vaio running Windows 98, a Toshiba running Windows XP - none of course have the BCM.  57xx and they all zip data uploads at around 350kb/sec.  I have disabled all programs and it still has a problem, but probably not suprisingly it will upload files just fine  when I use SafeNet Software Mobile User VPN -- but not through Windows Explorer, sending attachments using email or uploading attachments in Explorer.   None of the other 8400's with the same BCM 57xx NIC have this problem at my company office which has a static IP address.  And when I hook up the Dell Inspiron at the company, or at my Harvard University office, or any hotel for that matter it works fine.    I have checked out the routing tables on the Dells when hooked up at home, and often I get the error message 'probem with the routing table -- and it has been repaired' using the Dell Network Assistant.  The very first time this happened the Dell Inspiron actually uploaded data at the correct speed -- I tested it about 5 times, however, as soon as it was shut off and turned back on it went back to working incorrectly and has never worked correctly again since.    Which brought me to search for others who might have this problem -- which brought me to your postings...   I am going to use my Gold Tech Support to see if the Dell Tech's suggest downloading the latest Broadcom 57xx drivers -- since I see that there at 6/06 updates. The other alternative is to change out my home dynamic connection for a static IP to make it identical to my office connection -- which doesn't seem to have any problems with this BCM 57xx NIC.  However, considering my 10 year Dell XPS can handle the home network environment without any problems, this seems like a pretty poor solution.  Looks like the BCM was not very well tested.    Let me know if anyone has made any progress with this issue.

Networking, Internet, & Bluetooth

Broadcom 57xx - Precision 380

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