Hi everyone, My Windows 7 Ethernet Controller is bunk. A couple days ago, after a PC crash/reset (I was running Prime 95, testing a CPU overclock), the onboard Realtek network card disappeared from my Windows 7 64 bit install. It will not re-install. It appears in Device Manager but upon prompting the little sod to install drivers through Driver Update it returns: 'Windows found driver software for your device but encountered an error while attempting to install it. Realtek PCIe GBE Family Controller The system cannot find the file specified.' A nice circular error that has me stumped. I've downloaded the latest Realtek drivers, too. No luck. First of all, things I've tried: -disabling/re-setting the device, resetting PC -clearing BIOS, checking onboard LAN enbabled -buying a new freaking motherboard (I needed an excuse to upgrade)- same error -buying a new PCI network card- same error, but now I can get two, one for each network adaptor! (have also disabled onboard LAN, to test with single PCI card- same problem) -booting from a Ubunto install: Ubunto CAN find the card, and connects to the internet -running various registry repair programs- no dice -combing forums What I HAVEN'T tried: -re-installing Windows: don't have the CD. Have the key, can probably get MS to send me a copy, but this is definitely last resort for a number of reasons. So I reckon I've definitively proven it's a Windows 7 software problem, one that occurred when the PC crashed while being stressed with an overclock- but I really though Windows was tougher than this! What critical process was it in the middle of? I have after all crashed the thing roughly 100 million before. Does anyone have any suggestions? I've locked myself out of Steam and can't play games offline, boo! Thanks a lot!

Have you gone into device manager and uninstalled the currently installed driver? So you can start fresh. Don't see that you've tried that in your list. It is probably getting conflicted with some old drivers

Thanks for the reply. I have indeed uninstalled drivers. Have also swept with Driver Sweeper 3.2- detects and removes three entries, but I still have the same problem when I attempt to re-install. If I run Realtek's autu driver installer, I get a 'Card may be in deep sleep mode' type error. I looked into this days ago, with no luck (involved simply re-setting mobo, etc)- but I guess that line of investigation is pointless now as I have a new mobo! Help appreciated!

Hi , Firstly, please make sure that all the updates are installed and the BIOS and chipset are updated to the latest versions. The latest error message shows that the network card is in deep sleep mode. You may try to check if it is able to take the following steps to turn off the sleep mode. 1. Click Start, type Device Manager in the Start Search box, and then click Device Manager. 2. Double-click Network adapters to expand it. Double-click the Realtek PCIe GBE Family Controller to open the Realtek PCIe GBE Family Controller properties. 3. Choose the Power Management tab, clear the option Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power. This article for your reference: http://adeelejaz.com/blog/realteks-network-controller-deep-sleep-mode-issue/ Hope this helps.

Thanks for your reply and the link Tracy. I actually read Adeel's article a while back. None of the solutions worked unfortunately. Since I have now have a new motherboard and a new PCI Network Card (as opposed to onboard) and have the same problem, I think I can discount Deep Sleep mode. As I am unable to install drivers for the controller, I am unable to access the power management tab. This problem is bonkers. I seriously cannot find any match to it on any forums.

Hi , According to your original post, I would like to confirm that if the error message Windows found driver software for your device but encountered an error while attempting to install it. was received when trying to install the driver. Base on my research, this error message will occur when the Infcache.1 file in the C:\Windows\System32\DriverStore folder is deleted or corrupted. I suggest you running the System File Checker tool and the Fix it tool to repair system files. If the issue persists, I consider you can contact the Microsoft Customer Service to order the installation DVD, then reinstall the system.