Windows XP keeps on insisting it has a Netgear FA310 network card installed, despite there being NO networks cards in the computer...

All started when I attempted to install a new Belkin network card - but was told its install had failed. Went to windows device manager and noticed some legacy entry from a Netgear network card I had in months ago, but which I'd removed. To get rid of this interfering entry, I clicked "uninstall" to which I got the following dialogue box....

Device Manager:
Failed to uninstall device. The device may be required to boot up the computer.

What next ? I've tried putting the card back in and uninstalling it the same way, but I get the same result.

I've also tried the usual stuff - booting into safe mode and removing it that way but I get identical results. I have full admin priveleges.

Anyone been here before ?

 

Does your boot sequence have a boot from network option on it?

 

Have u still got the netgear card? Put that back in and uninstall it properly. Then repeat with the Belkin.

Failing that, an XP repair might be your only solution, as something has screwed up .dll or registry wise.

 

Can't you just remove it from the registry ?



Its not an integrated m/board one on top of the belkin one.

 

fast bloke:
No, nothing in BIOS like Wake on LAN or boot from NIC

Bioforger:
"What next ? I've tried putting the card back in and uninstalling it the same way, but I get the same result."

Lightning101:
There's a about 4 ghost network cards in the hidden section of device manager - I was hoping not to have to go thru the registry and delete every entry. Besides, couldn't that give unexpected results like crashing, etc ?

 

Sounds like u have no choice, either cut n shut your registry entries or do an XP Repair

Or

In safe mode make sure you have removed ALL the ghost entries from device manager AND remove any present 'new' network cards. Reboot, reinstall your Belkin, see if that works.

You don't have an onboard NIC as well do u?

 

bioforger:

Tried the safe mode method previously with no joy.
No onboard NIC

Looks like I'll have to do the registry thing - thought this might have been a common problem but doesn't appear so.

 

It may be still loading the driver on boot, which is causing it to fail the uninstall... try running msconfig off the run box on the start menu... if you have a flick thru the tabs you may find keys relating to the card or driver... just untick them and apply and reboot. it may let u remove after that.

Bri