NIC Failiure

Question

Hello,   I have a Dimension 8400 and encounter a very enoing problem. I reinstalled my WIN XP PRO SP2 and when i start my computer i get an error saing NIC failiure: ERROR initializing PCI EXPRESS NIC BRIDGE. I searched for the reason but i am running out of options here. My PC isn't on a network so i don't really need it but i don't like error reports. I checked the BIOS, Device manager, etc but without any results. Who can help me? Would appreciate it a lot.   Best regards,   Guseppe

jwatt · Answer

Guseppe, Did you reinstall the Intel Chipset Drivers? Jim

Guseppe · Answer

Hello Jim, I installed the Chipset drivers but without any result. Any other suggestions? Thanks, G.

jwatt · Answer

Guseppe,

Oddly, there's no XP reinstall guide for the 8400. That makes it more difficult to determine what might be missing. I suspect you've already downloaded and installed the proper network driver for the system. Here's the list of all XP drivers and software for the 8400. Note that both choices for the Broadcom integrated network controller actually refer to the same files.

If you installed the chipset driver after the network controller driver, you might try removing the network controller from the device manager and rebooting the machine, in case the network controller wasn't properly installed because the chipset driver wasn't installed first.

Jim

Guseppe · Answer

Hey Jim,   I did what you suggested but without any result. I am getting pretty desperate here. Any other possibilities you might think of? Thanks a lot.   Best regards,   G.

jwatt · Answer

Guseppe,

A less probable source of the problem might be that the "Dell Desktop System Software" wasn't reinstalled. Another thought would be to download the Broadcom 4401 driver directly from Broadcom (link thanks to Forum Regular "johnallg").

Jim

Guseppe · Answer

Hello, Still not found out what the problem is... i am considering to contact Dell Support or do you have any other suggestions for me? Thanks a lot. Best regards, G.

jwatt · Answer

Guseppe,

Unfortunately, no, I don't have any more suggestions. Perhaps someone else will spot this thread and have some more ideas for you. Hopefully, if you decide to call Dell Support, you'll get a more specific response than a suggestion to reinstall XP!

Jim

Mry0y0 · Answer

This error is sees at the BIOS level. That means the O/S has virtually nothing to do with it. If you're going to try anything try the standard things like resetting the bios via going into setup and turning on CAPS lock LED, Scroll lock LED, Number lock led, then pressing ALT+F, ALT+E, ALT+B and system should reboot. **NOTE: new systems with the new BIOS like, Opti GX280's, only ALT+F will work then reset the computer manually.   If that doesn't work, try Flashing the bios to the most current version available if this is an option. As this problem is causing Network cards to fail, it is difficult if user has only ONE machine. You can also try resetting via the CMOS reset jumper on the mobo if you know how, it is listed in the User Guide for your machine.   I am able to show user's their device shows up in Safe Mode WITHOUT Networking but they usually cannot remove it. For now MOBO replacement seems to be the solution we're working with until more information is advisable to us. Contact your Dell Technical Support if you see this issue to follow their TS steps and see if hardware repalcement is the option chosen for you.

Mry0y0 · Answer

Update on this. Have now received about four calls total with this error. Each call we stopped the message by resetting via the CMOS jumper on the mobo. Unfortunately, on all the calls the NIC itself is also dead so through troubleshooting we determiend a motherboard replacement was appropriate. If you reset the CMOS jumper on your board and the msg goes away and the NIC works then great! If you're having network problems and no link lights on the NIC port, a call to Dell for appropriate NIC functionality troubleshooting with hardware replacement solutions will be your best bet.

Mry0y0 · Answer

Another update on this. Just received a call from a customer with the same issue. Same message at POST and NO NIC functionality and the NIC was not being recognized in the Operating System. Had user reset via the jumper on the motherboard and then had user boot up in SafeMode and the NIC showed up there. Had user remove the NIC in SafeMode and then bootup into Normal Mode and voila! the nic was there and functioning properly. A little sunshine for this dark topic! So fret not this may be a fix if you're experiencing this issue.

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