[SOLVED] USB Ethernet LAN adapter drivers suddenly became REALTEK CD-ROM driver

8788 Views 18 Replies 2 Participants Last post by spunk.funk, Nov 3, 2021

howiem9

Discussion Starter · Sep 22, 2021

ASUS VIVOBOOK X531_S531FL
Computer Type: Laptop
VivoBook_ASUS Laptop X531FL_S531FL
OS: Windows 10 64bitVersion 10.0.19043 Build 19043
CPU: Processor Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-8265U CPU @ 1.60GHz, 1800 Mhz, 4 Core(s), 8 Logical Processor(s)
Motherboard: BaseBoard Product X531FL
Memory: 20gb
Internet Speed: varies 95Mbps-1Gbps
Browsers: MSEdge (default), Firerfox 92, Brave
Antivirus: Microsoft Windows Defender
Win 10 21H1 Build 19043.1237
A few weeks ago, the drivers for 3 USB Ethernet LAN adapters suddenly turned into REALTEK CD-ROM drivers. I think, but cannot be sure that it was an electrical glitch. I was doing Internet speed tests and had all three devices plugged into the router. At one point I was looking at Windows 10 File Explorer while doing a speed test, and the files seemed to be flickering. I shut down the computer, and restarted it and all seemed to be OK, but then I noticed that in File Explorer there was a new Drive K CD-ROM, but I do not have any CD-ROM, internal or external. I was able to determine that the change was with the USB Ethernet LAN adapters. When I inserted any of them a new CD-ROM driver appeared in Device Manager and under Network Adapters the REALTEK USB Family Controller driver was no longer present. I sent all 3 devices to Orico, the manufacturer of one of the 1GB Ethernet Adapters, but they could not find any problem using the devices on their computers, and recommended that I remove all LAN, CDROM drivers and update all drivers once again. I have not tried this yet. I purchased a cheap 100MB Ethernet LAN adapter and it works fine, but of course I am not getting the 1GB download speed that I was getting before. I have in the past experienced frequent problems when I tried to do anything with drivers, and am looking for some clear instructions on how to remove the drivers for the adapters in Safe Mode, if that is the right way to fix this. I did uninstall the CD-ROM drivers in device manager and I am now using Wifi (about 500MB download/upload), but I would like to get the speed I am paying for 1GB download and 500MB upload

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spunk.funk

· #2 · Sep 24, 2021

What you are seeing is a K: drive that is a Virtual CD Drive. This could be an ISO image that you Mounted. When you Mount an ISO image, it creates a Virtual DVD drive.
or it could be a Virtual CD drive created to install the driver for the LAN Adapters. Orico should have been able to identify this if it was their driver.

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howiem9

Discussion Starter · #3 · Sep 24, 2021

spunk.funk said:
What you are seeing is a K: drive that is a Virtual CD Drive. This could be an ISO image that you Mounted. When you Mount an ISO image, it creates a Virtual DVD drive.
or it could be a Virtual CD drive created to install the driver for the LAN Adapters. Orico should have been able to identify this if it was their driver.

Thanks for the info. The thing is that I never mounted any drives. I was doing Internet speed tests and had 3 USB Gigabite adapters plugged into the router and into 3 USB slots at the same time, and then the computer started to act a bit weird with files in File Explorer seeming to jump all over the place (I suspected an electrical problem or something wrong with the mainboard, but that was a few weeks ago, and nothing similar since. Anyway at the time, I shut down and booted up again, but the next thing I knew, all 3 devices had changed drivers into CD-ROM drivers and I could no longer use Ethernet LAN and had to use WiFi. Orico tested all the devices at their shop and they worked normally, but on my notebook, they are still showing as CD-ROM and I can't use them as Ethernet adapters.. I am trying to find out how I can make them work as Ethernet adapters again. Orico said I should try to boot into safe mode and reset the drivers, but I don't know how to reset drivers. I tried buying a cheap Ethernet adapter to see if it gave me Internet connectivity, and it did. So I could probably resolve this by purchasing another Orico adapter, but I now have 4 adapters, so prefer to try and ask how to fix them in case it happens again.

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spunk.funk

· #4 · Sep 24, 2021

howiem9 said:
had 3 USB Gigabite adapters plugged into the router and into 3 USB slots at the same time,

Can you please explain this? Did you plug in 3 USB LAN Adapters into the USB ports on your Router? Or 3 adapters plugged into one laptop? Or on 3 different laptops connected to your router?
You should not have put in 3 adapters at the same time to one device, that would cause a collision conflict.
Unplug all USB devices to your laptop. Put one Orico USB LAN Adapter in your laptop, If it comes up with a Virtual CD drive (ie) K: open the K: drive and explore it. Is there a Setup.exe file in it? If yes, this is the driver to install the device. Double click Setup.exe to install the driver.
If you want to start over, with the Orico USB LAN Adapter in, Press the Windows key +X and choose Device Manager. In the Device Manager Do you see any devices with Yellow Flags? If so, it is probably your LAN Adapter, Right click and Uninstall it. If no yellow flags, under Network Adapters, is the LAN adapter listed? If so, Right click and Uninstall it. It may also be listed under Universal Serial Bus Controllers, Uninstall it there too. In File Explorer, or This PC, if you still have a K: or other Virtual CD drive, Right click that and choose Eject. This will remove the Virtual CD drive. Remove the LAN Adapter from the computer and restart the computer. When the computer comes back up, plug in only 1 Orico adapter and reinstall the driver.

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howiem9

Discussion Starter · #5 · Sep 24, 2021

6

spunk.funk said:
First, I hope I am using this forum right. Let me know if I am not.
Can you please explain this? Did you plug in 3 USB LAN Adapters into the USB ports on your Router?
Yes. I was testing the Internet speed for all three devices, but I was unaware that conflicts might occur.
Or 3 adapters plugged into one laptop?
Also Yes for the same reason
Or on 3 different laptops connected to your router?
No, I only have one laptop
You should not have put in 3 adapters at the same time to one device, that would cause a collision conflict. Thanks for the info. I will be careful next time.
Unplug all USB devices to your laptop. Done Put one Orico USB LAN Adapter in your laptop, If it comes up with a Virtual CD drive (ie) K: open the K: drive and explore it. Is there a Setup.exe file in it? If yes, this is the driver to install the device. Double click Setup.exe to install the driver. The drive would not open

If you want to start over, with the Orico USB LAN Adapter in, Press the Windows key +X and choose Device Manager. In the Device Manager Do you see any devices with Yellow Flags? If so, it is probably your LAN Adapter, Right click and Uninstall it.
No Yellow Flags

If no yellow flags, under Network Adapters, is the LAN adapter listed? No
If so, Right click and Uninstall it. It may also be listed under Universal Serial Bus Controllers, Uninstall it there too. Not listed there either.
In File Explorer, or This PC, if you still have a K: or other Virtual CD drive, Right click that and choose Eject. This will remove the Virtual CD drive.
Eject did not remove the K drive from File Explorer. Tried a number of times and closed and reopened File Explorer but no change.
Remove the LAN Adapter from the computer and restart the computer. When the computer comes back up, plug in only 1 Orico adapter and reinstall the driver.
After I rebooted I could not see the CD-ROM in Device Manager, so I scanned for changes and the CD-ROM showed up again.
I don't know how to reinstall the driver after I uninstall it, because the device no longer appears in Device Manager and if there is a driver file, I don't know whagt or where it is.
I went to My ASUS and checked for driver problems, and it says I have one, but does not say how to fix it.

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spunk.funk

· #6 · Sep 25, 2021

Try the LAN adapter on a different computer. Does the same issue happen?
On the Troubled computer, Uninstall the Device in the Device Manager. Then remove the LAN adapter from the USB port of the computer.
Reboot into Safe Mode with Networking. Once in Safe Mode with Networking, plug the USB LAN adapter into a Different USB port, if one is available. Does the same thing happen? If so, in the Device Manager, Right click the RealTek USB CD rom and choose Properties go to the Driver tab click on Driver Detail. Post a screenshot of this. This is the location of the driver. It can be renamed or removed.

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howiem9

Discussion Starter · #7 · Sep 25, 2021

spunk.funk said:
Try the LAN adapter on a different computer. Does the same issue happen?
Orico tried all three of the LAN adapters on their computers and did not encounter the same issue. They all worked as they are supposed to.

On the Troubled computer, Uninstall the Device in the Device Manager. Then remove the LAN adapter from the USB port of the computer.
Reboot into Safe Mode with Networking. Once in Safe Mode with Networking, plug the USB LAN adapter into a Different USB port, if one is available.
I tried that using my USB port 2.0.
Does the same thing happen?
The same thing happened, but with a change. As soon as I opened device manager I could see the REALTEK USB Family FE Controller under Network adaptrers for about 5 seconds. Then I could see it disappear and get replaced by the CD-ROM device. I then unplugged the device from the USB 2.0 port and plugged it into a USB 3.o0 port (the original one). The same thing happened, i.e., initially I could see the LAN adapter under Network devices, but after about 4 seconds it disappeared and the CD=ROM device popped up. Below is the screenshot

If so, in the Device Manager, Right click the RealTek USB CD rom and choose Properties go to the Driver tab click on Driver Detail. Post a screenshot of this. This is the location of the driver. It can be renamed or removed.
What's next?

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spunk.funk

· #8 · Sep 25, 2021

In the Device Manager You have several devices under Software Components and Devices that need drivers installed. I would start here with the LAN Adapter removed from the computer. How to find drivers Follow these instructions to find all missing drivers. This is a dauting task, if you reach a road block, I would contact ASUS support for help. Once there are no devices with yellow flags in the Device Manager, then you can deal with the LAN Adapter.

howiem9

Discussion Starter · #9 · Sep 25, 2021

spunk.funk said:
In the Device Manager You have several devices under Software Components and Devices that need drivers installed. I would start here with the LAN Adapter removed from the computer. How to find drivers Follow these instructions to find all missing drivers. This is a dauting task, if you reach a road block, I would contact ASUS support for help. Once there are no devices with yellow flags in the Device Manager, then you can deal with the LAN Adapter.

I see what you mean by daunting. For the record I never had any devices with yellow flags.
I have one USB 3.0 LAN adapter that does work but only at 95MBps download/upload

Product Azure Rectangle Font Screenshot

Would it work if I deleted the CD-ROM driver in safe mode and put in the 2 driver files shown above, i.e., C:\Windows\System32\drivers\rtux64w10.sys and C:\Windows\System32\RtNicProp64.dll?
Appreciate all the help. Or would those be the wrong drivers for higher speed devices like the Orico?
Also, have you ever used Driver Easy?

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spunk.funk

· #10 · Sep 25, 2021

I have never used Driver Easy because it is a 3rd party Paid App. All drivers are available for free from the manufacturers web site, so no need for 3rd party apps.
The Pic of the Device Manager in Post #7 shows several yellow exclamation marks in the Device Manager for devices.
Go to the ASUS download drivers site for your model and download the Chipset Driver, install and restart. Then download any other drivers that are needed from the Device Manager Including those under Software Updates.
After all drivers are installed start a Command Prompt as Admin (Elevated) and type the following command
DISM /Online /CLEANUP-IMAGE /RestoreHealth and press Enter. After that completes type
SFC /Scannow and press Enter. This will replace any missing Windows files.
After all that is done, .If there is a software driver provided by Oricon, then install that. Then try putting in the LAN Adapter into the USB port and see how it goes.
If this still fails, then there is an issue with the ASUS laptop that is above my pay grade and you need to take it up with ASUS Support.

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howiem9

Discussion Starter · #11 · Sep 25, 2021

2

The Pic of the Device Manager in Post #7 shows several yellow exclamation marks in the Device Manager for devices.
That pic #7 is in Safe Mode and despite very bad eyes, I can see the yellow exclamation marks. But the below image of Device Manager is in normal mode and I can't see any yellow exclamation marks.
I checked Windows Updates but there were none.

Rectangle Font Screenshot Number Parallel

I tried to update the drivers from Device Manager, but just got the usual MS response that the best driver is already installed. I checked again after I got the chipset installed. but there were no updates and I saw no other drivers to download as everything else is working as it should
After installing the chipset, I ran DISM and SFC checks. SFC found some corrupt files - the CBS log is 1.24 MB and said t repaired them all.
But in the end the adapter still thinks it is a CD-ROM. Since the warranty has expired, I am pretty sure that it will cost me more to get this fixed by ASUS which also wants 2 weeks to repair anything. I can get a new device faster and less costly and use the old one as a hub (it has 3 ports).
I much appreciate your time and effort as I did learn a lot, so thanks again.

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spunk.funk

· #12 · Sep 25, 2021

ASUS warranty is up to 1 year from purchase. It might be easier to purchase a new USB LAN Adapter

howiem9

Discussion Starter · #13 · Sep 25, 2021

spunk.funk said:
ASUS warranty is up to 1 year from purchase. It might be easier to purchase a new USB LAN Adapter

Where I am

Automotive lighting Rectangle Window Font Automotive exterior

, the warranty was 18 months, but it ran out about 3 months ago. I just ordered another LAN adapter from Orico.

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spunk.funk

· #14 · Sep 26, 2021

I think you are going to have the same issue with another Orico adapter because it uses the same driver.

howiem9

Discussion Starter · #15 · Sep 26, 2021

spunk.funk said:
I think you are going to have the same issue with another Orico adapter because it uses the same driver.

Maybe, but I bought a cheap adapter a month or so ago, and it works fine, so I figure it is worth a try.

spunk.funk

· #16 · Sep 26, 2021

Because the Cheap adapter uses a different driver. Best of luck to you using the same device, I hope it works out for you.

howiem9

Discussion Starter · #17 · Sep 26, 2021

spunk.funk said:
Because the Cheap adapter uses a different driver. Best of luck to you using the same device, I hope it works out for you.

You're probably right. The only reason I am trying it is because the cheaper one is a duplicate of one of the original 3 adapters that went bonkers simultaneously with the other 2. I also forgot to mention that ASUS USA says that the original configuration for the laptop did not include Ethernet LAN, only WiFi, and ASUS USA would not provide support. So I suspect that ASUS where I live changed the configuration, but they wanted to keep the laptop for 2 weeks, so I declined.

howiem9

Discussion Starter · #18 · Nov 2, 2021

3

howiem9 said:
You're probably right. The only reason I am trying it is because the cheaper one is a duplicate of one of the original 3 adapters that went bonkers simultaneously with the other 2. I also forgot to mention that ASUS USA says that the original configuration for the laptop did not include Ethernet LAN, only WiFi, and ASUS USA would not provide support. So I suspect that ASUS where I live changed the configuration, but they wanted to keep the laptop for 2 weeks, so I declined.

I finally got the new Orico Gigabite adapter working properly, more by luck and accident than any knowledge, so I thought that I would tell you what happened so this thread can be marked solved.

I accidently clicked on the wrong icon in the task bar and opened the Driver Easy program. which I had installed but never used before. I did a driver scan and noted that there was a driver marked as unplugged, Realtek USB Gbe Family Controller. I downloaded it and installed it but it would not install. But it also opened a File Explorer window with 3 files and I do not even remember the names. But one of them was an .inf or a .sys file. so I right clicked it and selected install. Suddenly the ethernet device started working.

The general tab device properties says it is working properly

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The advanced tab shows this:

Product Rectangle Font Screenshot Technology

I can't find anything that shows 1GB, but speed tests indicate it is working at 1GBps download/500MBps

and the Events tab says, "Device USB¥VID_0BDA&PID_8153¥000001 requires further installation.

Product Green Azure Rectangle Font

I have no idea why it is not completely installed, but it is working fine as I have run a number of speed tests and I am getting consistent speeds of over 900MBps download and almost 500MBps upload, which is what I was getting before the trouble started.

What I have not tried is any of the other Ethernet devicesto avoid messing things up again.

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spunk.funk

· #19 · Nov 3, 2021

Glad you got it sorted

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