Inspiron N5040 Network controller issue

Question

Hi there,

I recently had to reinstall Windows 7, after the computer had switched off unexpectedly on some occassions. The reinstallation went OK, but I am now having issues connecting to the internet as it seems that the Network Controller does not have a driver. There was not driver available for download under "Drivers & Downloads" (Dell.com), so I tried to find the driver myself but could not identify the manufacturer and model of the device. These are the information that I could find in the Device Manager:

"Device type: other devices
Manufacturer: unknown
Location: PCI bus 18, device 0, function 0
Device status: The drivers for this device are not installed. (Code 28)
There is no driver selected for the device information set or element.
To find a driver for this device, click Update Driver."

When clicking on "Update driver", the response is that "Windows could not find driver software for your device." The "System configuration" on the Dell website also could not provide more details.

It seems that this issue occures more frequently, but going through some of the other postings here did not help to resolve the problem. I am having a Dell Inspiron N5040 with Bios A05. The device instant path for my notebook has these numbers: My VEN 168C, DEV 002B.

I would really appreciate your advice, please let me know your thoughts.

Mario

PudgyOne · Answer

Mario,

When you reinstalled the operating system, did you install the Dell System Software(if applicable) and the chipset drivers first? If not, the rest of the drivers will fail to install. How to Download and Install Drivers in the Correct Order

Start with the Dell System Software and the chipset drivers and follow the list.

Rick

Mariao · Answer

Dear Rick,

many thanks for your response and the advice. Unfortunately it didn't help and I have still the same issue: "Network controller: No driver found".

Here is what I have done:

1. Reinstalled Windows and installed all drivers in the suggested order (I assume that "Desktop System Software (DSS) or Notebook System Software" is the BIOS; "PCMCIA/Smartcard controller" didn't show as a categorie in "Drivers and Download", so I had to skip this)

2. Did the Dell PC Diagnosis: all fine, except for (i) Video Card - Standard VGA Graphic Adapter: Cannot Run, (ii) Video Card - Primary surface test: Cannot run, (iii) HD - Smart Short Self Test: Timed out

3. Made a full Windows update.

As I said, the Network Controller still doesn't do its job. Any thoughts from you on how to fix would be much appreciated.

Mario

PudgyOne · Answer

Mario,   What virus program and firewall are you using?   Can you run Finding System Information REMOVE YOUR PRODUCT ID and REGISTERED OWNER and post the information back here.     Rick

Mariao · Answer

Hi Rick,

Thanks for the quick response. No Virus program used since installation (which was yesterday), I used to have Antivir (Avira). Firewall is just the Windows one.

See Finding System Information below, I hope this helps:

Host Name: CEICA-PC

OS Name: Microsoft Windows 7 Professional

OS Version: 6.1.7601 Service Pack 1 Build 7601

OS Manufacturer: Microsoft Corporation

OS Configuration: Standalone Workstation

OS Build Type: Multiprocessor Free

Registered Owner: Removed

Registered Organization:

Product ID: removed

Original Install Date: 25.03.2013, 23:04:04

System Boot Time: 27.03.2013, 22:15:55

System Manufacturer: Dell Inc.

System Model: Inspiron N5040

System Type: x64-based PC

Processor(s): 1 Processor(s) Installed.

[01]: Intel64 Family 6 Model 37 Stepping 5 GenuineIntel ~909 Mhz

BIOS Version: Dell Inc. A05, 30.05.2012

Windows Directory: C:\Windows

System Directory: C:\Windows\system32

Boot Device: \Device\HarddiskVolume2

System Locale: de;German (Germany)

Input Locale: en-gb;English (United Kingdom)

Time Zone: (UTC+01:00) Amsterdam, Berlin, Bern, Rome, Stockholm, Vienna

Total Physical Memory: 1.911 MB

Available Physical Memory: 1.047 MB

Virtual Memory: Max Size: 3.821 MB

Virtual Memory: Available: 2.813 MB

Virtual Memory: In Use: 1.008 MB

Page File Location(s): C:\pagefile.sys

Domain: WORKGROUP

Logon Server: \\CEICA-PC

Hotfix(s): 107 Hotfix(s) Installed.

[01]: KB2764913

[02]: KB2764916

[03]: KB2718695

[04]: KB2670838

[05]: KB2479943

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Network Card(s): 1 NIC(s) Installed.

[01]: Realtek PCIe FE Family Controller

Connection Name: Local Area Connection

DHCP Enabled: Yes

DHCP Server: 192.168.178.1

IP address(es)

[01]: 192.168.178.32

[02]: fe80::ac85:44d2:a7cf:5160

PudgyOne · Answer

Mariao,

Download and install in this order...

Intel HM57 Express Chipset Family, HM67 Express Chipset Family, v.9.2.0.1019, A00

Intel Management Engine Interface, v.6.0.0.1179, A00

Realtek RTS5138 Card Reader, v.6.1.7600.30126, A00

Then downloa and install

Realtek RTL8111E-VB Gigabit Ethernet Controller, RTL8105E-VB 10/100 Ethernet Controller, v.7.045.0516.2011, A01

Then go to Dell Warranty Status enter your service tag, click on orininal configuration. Look and see which wireless adapter is installed. Then go to Drivers & Downloads enter your service tag, select your operating system, under Network, download and install the drivers for your wireless adapter.

Then download and install Dell QuickSet, v.10.09.25, A00

Places to look to see if your Connection is enabled

Rick

Mariao · Answer

Dear Rick,

important things first - the network adaptor (Microsoft Teredo Tunneling Adapter) and the wireless connection now works. After going through all the installations, the mobility center was able to access our hot spot. MANY THANKS for your help. We would not have been able to fix this ourselves.

What has not yet worked out is the installation of two "Network" applications under "Drivers and Downloads". When installing the first and fifth program ("Dell Wireless 1704 Driver" and "Driver for 1701 BT"), some issues with the blootooth seem to appear ("Activae Bluetooth using Wireless switch"). I have not seen a specific switch, other than through Fn+F2, which is enabled. Any idea would be much appreciated.

There is one more problem, which we have had since the beginning: The notebook suddenly switches off (not shutting down but instantly turns off). We have had the mainboard and fan replaced and reinstalled windows (hence all the trouble above). That didn't help and we are out of warrenty now. It happens when in battery mode as well as when the power cord is plugged in, so not likely to be a problem with the battery. Any advice would be REALLY appreciated, we are pretty clueless in this regard.

Many thanks again,

Mario

PudgyOne · Answer

Mario,

Did you try just F2?

Start, in search type

bttray

Click on it. It will put the Bluetooth icon in the system tray, near the clock. You can disable/enable bluetooth there.

Other places to look to see if your Bluetooth Connection is enabled

Rick

PudgyOne · Answer

Mario,   I missed the lower part of the post.   Try running the full diagnostics and report back any error messages. How to Run the Dell™ Diagnostics Utility     Rick

Mariao · Answer

Rick,

thanks for your response. I have tried both F2+Fn and F2. None seemed to enable the bluetooth. Also, I don't seem to have the bluetooth icon in my system tray:

bttray: "No items match your search". Also tried to adjust the Windows Mobility Centre settings. It looks exactly like the one in the link you sent, but I hitting the "turn on" button did not have any effect.

I have run the full diagnostics (although on a 64 bit version) but no errors have come up. The notebook will be picked up tomorrow for inspection from Dell, will let you know the result. Any thoughts on the Bluetooth issue would be appreciated.

Mario

PudgyOne · Answer

Mario,   Can you run Finding System Information REMOVE YOUR PRODUCT ID and REGISTERED OWNER and post the information back here. Need only to see what network adapters are installed.     Rick

binmhd · Answer

I have a dell inspiron n5040 laptop. its warranty has came to its end on 04.04.2013.

I have been using the laptop well. no problems were there. but i installed Kubundu, a linux operating system. after 2 weeks i reinstalled with windows 7. I installed all necessary drivers like Intel HD Graphics, Alps Touch Pad. But installation of wireless driver is failing. I dont know why it happens. some one please help me as soon as possible. I tried to install a driver for both WLAN and Bluetooth. Bluetooth driver successfully installed. but WLAN. it's showing a message which is somewhat like " Your wireless devices has been ejected/removed by the system. please try reinstalling the driver after inserting the device.

Someone please help me as soon as possible.

Networking, Internet, & Bluetooth

Inspiron N5040 Network controller issue

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