Reinstalling ethernet adapter

Hi,

The ethernet adapter on my Inspiron 600m (Broadcom 570x) has given me problems periodically, although since I set up a wifi network at home I don't use it that much. At some point along the way, however, I must have either intentionally or unintentionally (can't remember which) uninstalled it, because I can no longer connect through the wired LAN (when I plug it directly into the DSL modem) and when I go into the Device Manager it doesn't even list the Broadcom ethernet adapter under my Network Adapters. 

Earlier this year when I had problems with it, I was advised to uninstall and then reinstall the adapter, but my recollection was that Windows automatically detected the card and installed it.

Is it possible that the adapter itself has gone bad?  Or do I just need to do something to reinstall it?

thanks

greg