Microsoft Update 22nd May for Realtek RTL8139 Ethernet NIC Card

[Stuart Forshaw]

I hope this proves helpful to all.

We received yesterday via Microsoft Update an updated driver for Realtek
RTL8139 series ethernet NIC cards v6.103.126.2007, which we duly accepted,
downloaded, reboot etc.

However we noticed that connection to the internet was slow to say the least
and downloads either would not connect or took for ever and a day to
receive. Consequently we rolled back the driver to version 6.101.1124.2006
all appears fine again.

Today we have had 5 customers contact us to say they had an update yesterday
and now they either cannot connect or connection is very slow. On
investigation we found that they had also had the Realtek download via
Microsoft Update and having rolled back the driver in all cases, connections
are now back to normal.

I hope this helps anyone who is now experiencing similar problems.

Regards
Stuart

 

[dean-dean]

I would get the latest signed driver (v6.193.430.2007) from the Realtek
site, found here (rather than using Windows Update):

http://www.realtek.com.tw/downloads...n=4&DownTypeID=3&GetDown=false&Downloads=true

For Vista, choose 6.193 (2007/5/11), under the Version column.

 

[Stuart Forshaw]

Hi Dean-Dean

Thanks for the advice, however if I am not mistaken v6.193 is for RTL8110
and RTL8169 not for the RTL8139 series.

We have no problems with v6.101 so I think we will leave it for the present,
we had a similar problem some years ago with AC97 drivers for XP.

Thanks for the response, speak again.

Regards
Stuart

 

[dean-dean]

Ooops. The RTL8139 series download is here:

http://www.realtek.com.tw/downloads...d=6&Level=5&Conn=4&DownTypeID=3&GetDown=false

Their latest version is 6.103.123.2007 (2007/4/26) for Vista.

 

[Guest]

Thanks for that. Microsoft has a BAD habit of mucking around with NIC cards
updates; they always have done it.
I have a policy with any NIC updates: " if it is working, don't download
probs"

 

[Stuart Forshaw]

Hi Mick and to Dean

This updated driver really is a problem, I have downloaded the same
allegedly updated driver directly from the realtek site as per Dean's idea.

It is exactly the same driver v6.103.126.2007 as from Microsoft and causes
exactly the same problems, e.g slow connectivity/downloads and connection
dropouts. Rolling back to v6.101.1124.2006 resolves the issue.

I have notified realtek by email. To all users I suggest that you proceed
with caution regarding this update if using Vista, as yet we haven't tried
it on XP.

Regards
Stuart

 

[Guest]

I am having the same issue as well. I installed the latest vista driver
version from realtek and no change. How do you roll back a driver? I know
stupid question, but I can figure it out, sorry.

Tim

 

[PvdG42]

I am having the same issue as well. I installed the latest vista driver
version from realtek and no change. How do you roll back a driver? I
know
stupid question, but I can figure it out, sorry.

Tim

In your Windows Help, search for "Restore a driver to its previous version"
where you'll find instructions:

You must be logged on as an administrator to perform these steps.

You might want to restore the driver for a device to a previous version if
you encounter problems with your computer or device after upgrading the
driver.

Click to open Device Manager.‌ If you are prompted for an administrator
password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.

Double-click the category containing your device driver, and then
double-click the name of the device you want to restore to a previous driver
version.

Click the Driver tab, and then click Roll Back Driver.

Note
If there's no previous version of the driver installed for the selected
device, the Roll Back Driver button will be unavailable.

 

[Guest]

Got it! Thank you, it worked!

Internet and network speed restored. Your guys are awesome!

Tim