Can't install Etherent driver

[Neil]

A virus infection has required me to re-install Windows XP onto my ACER 5630
laptop.

I have re-installed all the drivers with the exception of the Ethernet LAN
driver.

It is a Broadcom 5787 Ethernet port, and when I download the drivers form
either the Acer website, or the Broadcom website all I get is a zip file with
the following three files:
b57win32.cat
b57win32.inf
b57win32.sys

as there is no setup.exe type file I tried to install using Device manager,
but it fails to install the driver, even if I point the location for the
driver to the folder where I have extracted the files.

Subsequent checking on the Broadcom website reveals that it's not possible
to install the driver in this way, but doesn't give any clue as to how it
should be done!

If anyone out there has had this problem and solved it you're gonna make a
very frustrated man very happy!

TIA

Neil

 

[Rey Santos]

Try downloading from Acer Support Drivers and Downloads:
http://gd.panam.acer.com/home/
Select your Product Name: Acer, Select your Product Line: Aspire, Select
your Product Model: 5630
On the Driver tab browse down to Vendor Broadcom, download the zip file.
There is a Setup.exe (Install Application) included on the zip file.
Hope it works. good luck.

 

[Neil]

Thanks for the advice.

Unfortunately there is not a setup.exe file in the zip file, just the three
files I have listed.

Right clicking on the .inf file and selecting 'install' doesn't work either,
so any other suggestions are gratefully received.

TIA

Neil

 

[Motort]

Thanks for the advice.

Unfortunately there is not a setup.exe file in the zip file, just the three
files I have listed.

Right clicking on the .inf file and selecting 'install' doesn't work either,
so any other suggestions are gratefully received.

TIA

Neil

alt.comp.hardware any help?

 

[Daave]

A virus infection has required me to re-install Windows XP onto my
ACER 5630 laptop.

I have re-installed all the drivers with the exception of the
Ethernet LAN driver.

It is a Broadcom 5787 Ethernet port, and when I download the drivers
form either the Acer website, or the Broadcom website all I get is a
zip file with the following three files:
b57win32.cat
b57win32.inf
b57win32.sys

as there is no setup.exe type file I tried to install using Device
manager, but it fails to install the driver, even if I point the
location for the driver to the folder where I have extracted the
files.

Subsequent checking on the Broadcom website reveals that it's not
possible to install the driver in this way, but doesn't give any clue
as to how it should be done!

If anyone out there has had this problem and solved it you're gonna
make a very frustrated man very happy!

1. Be absolutely sure you downloaded the correct driver. I would imagine
the one downloaded from the Acer site (*not* the Broadcom site!) would
be the correct one. Also, make sure it is for the correct operating
system!

2. Unzip the .zip file to a known location. You can create a folder for
drivers and place that folder in a convenient location. Unzip to that
location.

3. Use Windows Explorer to navigate to the .inf file. Right-click and
choose Install.

4. If the above doesn't work, perhaps the download was corrupted. Delete
and try again.

5. If no joy, post to an Acer laptop owner's forum. Here is one:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/forumdisplay.php?f=22

BTW, this should be the correct file name for the driver file from the
Acer site:

Lan_Broadcom(5787)_9.25.0.0_XPx86.zip

But one of the files is *not* what you listed. Here are the three files:

b57win32.cat
b57win32.inf
b57xp32.sys

 

[Neil]

Daave,

I have definitely downloaded the correct driver, (I've tried from both the
Acer and Broadcom sites and have the same thing)

The three files I have are the ones you listed, there was a bit of a typo in
my original post - sorry.

I have tried the right click on the.inf file as you suggested, but nothing
happens, just the hour glass for about a second and then nothing.

I will try the Acer forum you suggest, I can't be the first person to have
this problem.

If anyone else has a suggestion - please feel free to chip in!

Neil

 

[Neil]

Problem solved!

After hours of fruitless searching I stumbled across the answer - contrary
to what the ACER website says my NIC isn't Broadcom 5787!

Out of desperation I got the device properties (Vendor ID & Device ID) from
Device Manager and Googled them.

It appears that I have a Broadcom 4400 series NIC, downloaded those drivers
from Broadcom, still no .exe file but installing through Device Manager
worked a treat.

That'll teach me for believing the manufacturers website!

Thanks to all those who assisted

Neil

 

[Daave]

Interesting. Looks like Acer goofed. Nice detective work!