Incorrect NIC Detected When Installing NetGear FA310TX in Windows Me

When you perform a clean installation of Microsoft Windows Millennium Edition (Me), your NetGear FA310TX Fast ethernet card may be detected as a Linksys LNE100TX ethernet adapter. Also, if you run Winipcfg, Windows Me may list the NetGear FA310TX Fast ethernet card as an Intel card.

Although the NetGear card can function as a Linksys, the card's performance using Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) is very poor. Also, there are few, if any, performance hits with the NetBEUI protocol.

This behavior may occur when you use the NetGear FA310TX Fast ethernet card (NGRPCI).

To resolve this issue, install the drivers that come with the adapter or download the latest drivers from NetGear's Web site at the following Web site address: If the NetGear adapter is installed as the Linksys LNE100TX card, follow these steps to install the drivers:

1. Insert the drivers disk from the manufacturer into the floppy disk drive (drive A).
2. Click Start, point to Settings, and click Control Panel.
3. In Control Panel, double-click the System icon.
4. In the System Properties dialog box, click the Device Manager tab.
5. Click the plus sign to expand the section labeled Network Adapters.
6. Click Linksys LNE100TX adapter, and click Properties.
7. In the Linksys LNE100TX Properties dialog box, click the Driver tab.
8. On the Driver tab, click Update Driver.
9. Click Automatic Search for a Better Driver and click Next.
   
   Microsoft Windows detects and installs the correct driver located on the floppy disk.
10. When prompted, click Yes to restart your computer.
    
    The card's listing in Winipcfg is corrected.

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The working adapter that installs without detection problems is the NetGear FA310TX Fast ethernet card (DC21x4).

The third-party products that are discussed in this article are manufactured by companies that are independent of Microsoft. Microsoft makes no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding the performance or reliability of these products.

Microsoft provides third-party contact information to help you find technical support. This contact information may change without notice. Microsoft does not guarantee the accuracy of this third-party contact information.