NIC refuses to "start"

G'day MG'ers, :major

Since google has failed me in all my efforts to find a working solution to my problem (Which is to be explained xD), I decided to come here in an attempt to resolve my problem. Hopefully I can get this solved by tomorrow (Well, it isn't of the utmost importance) before I just buy a new adapter on impulse.

Either way, on to why I am here. I recently reformatted my WinXP after a dramatic system failure. On reboot I found that the integrated NIC wouldn't "Run". (Error Code 10: Device cannot start)

I have checked for conflicting IRQ's and triple checked I am using the right chipset drivers. Everest detects my mobo as a MSI KM2M Combo (MS-6738), which is based on the VIA KM266 chipset. The BIOS is default release as I cannot update it due to not having a floppy disc drive, but I have doubts that this will even fix said problem.

If have decided that it would possibly be easier to just go buy a PCI NIC, but I would prefer for it to be a (hopefully) easy fix.

I appreciate anybody taking time out of their lives to take a look at my problem.

 

First, visit this link and download the LAN driver and the VIA 4-in-1 driver; DO NOT install yet. Then uninstall any NIC drivers that you may have already installed. If you're just using the default WinXP 'built-in' drivers, then go to the Device Manager, right click the NIC, select Uninstall, and reboot. If the hardware wizard tries to install a new driver upon restarting, cancel it if possible. Then install the 4-in-1 driver and restart when prompted. Then install the LAN driver and restart again, even if you're not prompted to restart, do it anyway. Make sure the ethernet cable is correctly connected on both ends; it should be firmly and completely plugged into the PC (an LED should be lit when it's plugged in) and it should be plugged in completely to the modem/router also. When the PC restarts, go to the Control Panel > Internet Options > Connections > Setup. Click Next; select the top bubble for "Connect to the Internet"; select the 2nd bubble for "Set up my connection manually"; select the last bubble for "Connect using a connection that is always on". The next window that comes up will say that you're done setting it up, so click Finish. Then launch Internet Explorer and you should be surfing. :-D

(since the PC in question is obviously not online, you'll have to burn the downloaded files to a CD or put 'em on a USB flash drive or something; it may be a good idea to unplug the power from the modem and router for a minute or two before restarting the PC after the LAN driver has been installed; this 'resets' the devices and should allow for the PC to make a 'clean' connection when it restarts)

 

Thank you for your reply, but it seems I should have included some more information.

I tried to install those drivers you linked to on a fresh install of Windows with no NIC's installed at all and to no avail. I am on the computer in question at this very moment. Why do I need help then you may ask? Because I recently [Just before the system failure, and before then the ethernet was actually working] updated my internet connection to 20mbps and since I am using the USB connection of the modem, it (The network connection) is only running at 10Mbps (Which in turns means I am back to 1.5mbps), and I do not want to downgrade my plan nor do I want to pay for the extra speed I am not going to be using.

The modem is fine, the LED's around where the CAT-5 cable plugs in light up when I plug it in, but the LED's for the ethernet port on the back of the computer to not light up at all.

I am at odds over what to do.