Network Adapter driver problems! Please Help!

Jstout724 · 07-12-2007, 12:52 AM

Hello,

Please help me, I know my way around a PC pretty decent, and I am completely blow away by this problem.

I recently aquired an IBM Thinkpad A21m model 2628-G2U.

I used my windows XP disc to re-format and install Windows XP. Everything turned out fine as usual except Windows could not detect my Network Adapters. It shows as the "yellow question mark" Other devices; Unknown device. Under Modem; A Lucent Winmodem seems to install fine and work, Which I think is odd because its a combo card thats not supposed to be Lucent? However the modem does seem to function properly.

I have been working on this for hours and have tried many things so please bare with me

. I went to IBM's website and downloaded all the current drivers for my model, except the network adapters, which are supposedly included with operating system. I updated BIOS, I even downloaded other network drivers for previous operating systems and so forth to try them just incase. You name it, its updated.

After realizing that none of this worked, I decided it was because I had WIN XP SP1. So I got on my other PC, downloaded the Windows SP2 Which I thought for sure at this point was going to fix my problem. I go through my hardware wizard / Device manager, Same problem. "yellow question mark" Other devices: Uknown Device, and It still can't find the drivers. It gives me the connect to internet to look for drivers option which is terribly frustrating because im trying to install my network adapters to get on the internet.

At this point I can only assume that there are possibly other patches and updates for XP, that might include Network Adapter drivers besides SP2.

I tried to get on Microsoft Update Catalog and search for possible patches and updates. I have downloaded and looked through a few that seemed relative to my situation, but they are CAB, Cabinet files, So i am not sure what to do with them. I tried searching the files for the drivers and still no luck.

I have downloaded Everest, to try to determine the exact specifications of my network card, thinkin I could research more about it, but it does not recognize anything under network adapter, either.

Now I am stuck. Please help!!! Is there a way someone could possible help me toward the correct files I need to download, or Firmware could it be, possibly?

*** I have tried many things as far as un-installing the device, re-installing software, and just about everything... seriously.

**BCCOMP** · 07-12-2007, 01:27 AM

If you go to Device manager / Network adapters, is there any network adapters listed? A 3com network adapter should be listed.
Try this link for the driver:

http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/si...id=MIGR-4K4PWT

Let me know if this works. There is a txt document also that may help you in getting the driver installed. I do not think XP is the problem here or the service packs. We gotta get the driver installed.

Jstout724 · 07-12-2007, 01:59 AM

Hello, and thanks for the response.

I have connected to the internet through my wireless network on the laptop im having problems with. To my dissmay I figured out what the uknown device was, it was simple IBM system device. Now I am totally clueless.. as you mentioned in your reply about checking device manager, I now have nothing in my network adapters unless its my wireless usb I have temporarily installed. Now I know i'm not crazy there is definetly a phone line jack AND a Ethernet port on the back of my laptop.

Does this mean its a possible hardware failure? Since windows and some other diagnostic programs will not detect it? Is there anyway I can narrow it down to that?

Im sorry,.. to answer your question about the driver yes I have installed and re-installed it a couple times, along with other various drivers from that site.

sighs, thanks alot for your help

**BCCOMP** · 07-12-2007, 06:18 AM

Check in your BIOS an see if your Lan is enabled.

**BCCOMP** · 07-12-2007, 06:22 AM

Check in your BIOS an see if your Lan is enabled. Also follow this link:

ftp://ftp.software.ibm.com/pc/pccbbs...df/23p0896.pdf

It is the manual for this model. Look at page 70, there is a combo card illustration(modem/network). follow the procedure and lets see if one is installed and or installed properly.

Jstout724 · 07-12-2007, 12:31 PM

SUCCESS!!

I am feeling a little bit silly about the situation now. I did look to see if it was installed by opening the panel before, and it seemed fine. well... it wasn't.
After following your link and using the instructions to remove it and re-install it (physically), IT WORKED. The card may just not have been seated properly, either that or the LAN cable, (represented as (B) on the illustration on page 70), was not plugged in properly, or had wiggled loose.

You have been a great help for me BCCOMP, I thought I had eliminated that as a problem, but Indeed I was wrong =).

Thank you again for your help and support.

Im not sure how to change the title so it can say Solved.

THIS IS SOLVED. Thank you.

**BCCOMP** · 07-12-2007, 03:01 PM

Glad I could help
Thanks,
Bill

07-12-2007, 12:52 AM	#1 (permalink)
Jstout724 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 3 OS: XP	Network Adapter driver problems! Please Help! Hello, Please help me, I know my way around a PC pretty decent, and I am completely blow away by this problem. I recently aquired an IBM Thinkpad A21m model 2628-G2U. I used my windows XP disc to re-format and install Windows XP. Everything turned out fine as usual except Windows could not detect my Network Adapters. It shows as the "yellow question mark" Other devices; Unknown device. Under Modem; A Lucent Winmodem seems to install fine and work, Which I think is odd because its a combo card thats not supposed to be Lucent? However the modem does seem to function properly. I have been working on this for hours and have tried many things so please bare with me . I went to IBM's website and downloaded all the current drivers for my model, except the network adapters, which are supposedly included with operating system. I updated BIOS, I even downloaded other network drivers for previous operating systems and so forth to try them just incase. You name it, its updated. After realizing that none of this worked, I decided it was because I had WIN XP SP1. So I got on my other PC, downloaded the Windows SP2 Which I thought for sure at this point was going to fix my problem. I go through my hardware wizard / Device manager, Same problem. "yellow question mark" Other devices: Uknown Device, and It still can't find the drivers. It gives me the connect to internet to look for drivers option which is terribly frustrating because im trying to install my network adapters to get on the internet. At this point I can only assume that there are possibly other patches and updates for XP, that might include Network Adapter drivers besides SP2. I tried to get on Microsoft Update Catalog and search for possible patches and updates. I have downloaded and looked through a few that seemed relative to my situation, but they are CAB, Cabinet files, So i am not sure what to do with them. I tried searching the files for the drivers and still no luck. I have downloaded Everest, to try to determine the exact specifications of my network card, thinkin I could research more about it, but it does not recognize anything under network adapter, either. Now I am stuck. Please help!!! Is there a way someone could possible help me toward the correct files I need to download, or Firmware could it be, possibly? *** I have tried many things as far as un-installing the device, re-installing software, and just about everything... seriously.

07-12-2007, 01:27 AM	#2 (permalink)
BCCOMP Mod Hardware Team Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: New York Posts: 7,108 OS: Win XP SP3 / Windows 7 Beta / Open Suse My System	Re: Network Adapter driver problems! Please Help! If you go to Device manager / Network adapters, is there any network adapters listed? A 3com network adapter should be listed. Try this link for the driver: http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/si...id=MIGR-4K4PWT Let me know if this works. There is a txt document also that may help you in getting the driver installed. I do not think XP is the problem here or the service packs. We gotta get the driver installed.

07-12-2007, 01:59 AM	#3 (permalink)
Jstout724 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 3 OS: XP	Re: Network Adapter driver problems! Please Help! Hello, and thanks for the response. I have connected to the internet through my wireless network on the laptop im having problems with. To my dissmay I figured out what the uknown device was, it was simple IBM system device. Now I am totally clueless.. as you mentioned in your reply about checking device manager, I now have nothing in my network adapters unless its my wireless usb I have temporarily installed. Now I know i'm not crazy there is definetly a phone line jack AND a Ethernet port on the back of my laptop. Does this mean its a possible hardware failure? Since windows and some other diagnostic programs will not detect it? Is there anyway I can narrow it down to that? Im sorry,.. to answer your question about the driver yes I have installed and re-installed it a couple times, along with other various drivers from that site. sighs, thanks alot for your help

07-12-2007, 06:18 AM	#4 (permalink)
BCCOMP Mod Hardware Team Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: New York Posts: 7,108 OS: Win XP SP3 / Windows 7 Beta / Open Suse My System	Re: Network Adapter driver problems! Please Help! Check in your BIOS an see if your Lan is enabled.

07-12-2007, 06:22 AM	#5 (permalink)
BCCOMP Mod Hardware Team Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: New York Posts: 7,108 OS: Win XP SP3 / Windows 7 Beta / Open Suse My System	Re: Network Adapter driver problems! Please Help! Check in your BIOS an see if your Lan is enabled. Also follow this link: ftp://ftp.software.ibm.com/pc/pccbbs...df/23p0896.pdf It is the manual for this model. Look at page 70, there is a combo card illustration(modem/network). follow the procedure and lets see if one is installed and or installed properly. Last edited by BCCOMP; 07-12-2007 at 06:23 AM.

07-12-2007, 12:31 PM	#6 (permalink)
Jstout724 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 3 OS: XP	Re: Network Adapter driver problems! Please Help! SUCCESS!! I am feeling a little bit silly about the situation now. I did look to see if it was installed by opening the panel before, and it seemed fine. well... it wasn't. After following your link and using the instructions to remove it and re-install it (physically), IT WORKED. The card may just not have been seated properly, either that or the LAN cable, (represented as (B) on the illustration on page 70), was not plugged in properly, or had wiggled loose. You have been a great help for me BCCOMP, I thought I had eliminated that as a problem, but Indeed I was wrong =). Thank you again for your help and support. Im not sure how to change the title so it can say Solved. THIS IS SOLVED. Thank you.

07-12-2007, 03:01 PM	#7 (permalink)
BCCOMP Mod Hardware Team Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: New York Posts: 7,108 OS: Win XP SP3 / Windows 7 Beta / Open Suse My System	Re: Network Adapter driver problems! Please Help! Glad I could help Thanks, Bill