Code 31 for Network Adapter 3COM Gigabit LOM (3c940) during fresh install of Vista x64 Home Premium
In preparation for Windows 7 I am finally installing Vista on my computer. System: MB: Asus SK8V socket 940 CPU: AMD Athlon FX-53 socket940 RAM: 8GB Samsung ECC Registered NIC/LOM: 3COM Gigabit LOM (3C940) (Marvell Yukon) BIOS: SK8V 1002 (this is not the latest BIOS because Asus disabled 4GB+ RAM Remapping in the last revision) OS: Dual Boot XP Pro 32-bit, Vista Home Premium 64-bit (same harddisk separate partitions) Router: Linksys WRT54GS Firmware DD-WRT (works better in mixed b/g environment) If I clean install Vista x64 on the empty partition, I will get all the way to the end. Since I have been at this for a while I have adopted the following procedure for my attempts: 1) Disable the Network adapter in BIOS 2) Install Vista x64 3) Install SP2 4) Install Marvell Yukon driver for 3COM Gigabit LOM (3C940) 5) Restart/Enable Network Adapter in BIOS Upon restart Vista x64 will boot BUT... will not have network connection. The 3COM 3c940 driver is psuedo installed. Upon inspection in Device Manager, I see "Windows could not install driver (Code 31)" or some such. I then uninstall the device completely and "Scan for Hardware changes" and re-install the driver. This is where it gets very interesting. At a point in the installation the Network Adapter comes alive and starts attempting "something" Looking at the router it is as if the adapter is pulsing requests at it. There is an audible cycle from the Network Adapter too. I will close with the requisite,"Windows XP Pro works fine from the other partition." and "I have tried a litany of possible solutions from this forum, other forums and have stopped just short of superstition and black magic, to try and get this thing running." So, my question is, how do I get the 3COM Gigabit LOM (3C940) (Marvell Yukon chipset) installed under Vista x64 Home Premium. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in Advance Rick
October 16th, 2009 7:32pm

Oh, in addition to the network adapter "pulsing" I forgot to mention that it brings the computer to a stand still and it ceases to really progress with the installation of the driver to completion. If I force a restart, at a certain point in the bootup it begins "pulsing" again and slows to a crawl. I then need to go into safe mode and uninstall install the driver again. Upon restart I get back into Vista BUT...once again I have Code 31 "Windows couldn't use the device because the driver isn't installed". Again, Any help ins appreciated. Rick
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October 16th, 2009 7:41pm

Well, not that anyone wants to hear this but, Ibuckled and bought a $20 trendnet NIC and installed that. Windows recognizes it instantly, no problems now. Apparently, the 3COM LOM is no longer supported by anyone. Too bad. Cest la Vie. Rick
October 20th, 2009 4:01pm

Code 31 This device is not working properly because Windows cannot load the drivers required for this device. (Code 31) Recommended resolution Update the driver You may be prompted to provide the path of the driver. Windows may have the driver built-in, or may still have the driver files installed from the last time that you set up the device. However, sometimes, it will open the New Hardware Wizard which may ask for the driver. If you are asked for the driver and you do not have it, you can try to download the latest driver from the hardware vendor’s Web site. In the device Properties dialog box, click the Driver tab, and then click Update Driver to start the Hardware Update Wizard. Follow the instructions to update the driver.
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July 15th, 2010 8:19pm

Code 31 This device is not working properly because Windows cannot load the drivers required for this device. (Code 31) Recommended resolution Update the driver You may be prompted to provide the path of the driver. Windows may have the driver built-in, or may still have the driver files installed from the last time that you set up the device. However, sometimes, it will open the New Hardware Wizard which may ask for the driver. If you are asked for the driver and you do not have it, you can try to download the latest driver from the hardware vendor’s Web site. In the device Properties dialog box, click the Driver tab, and then click Update Driver to start the Hardware Update Wizard. Follow the instructions to update the driver.
July 15th, 2010 8:19pm

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