[SOLVED] Driver for 'RTL810xE PCI Express Fast Ethernet controller'

[CoCW_Thomas]

Hello! I have recently reinstalled my computer with a Windows XP, so there are some drivers missing. I have managed to locate a few but just couldn't find the ethernet controller driver.

The model of the computer is:
IBM ThinkCentre E50 (Type 8778)

Here is the ID for the ethernet controller
VEN_10EC&DEV_8136

I have been clicking into stupid websites with spyware so many times, please help...

 

[ImWolf]

Are you sure your machine is an IBM product and not made by Dell?

When I type in search parameters for your machine everything says it's a Dell Lenovo ThinkCentre.

Dell has very good support, even for your old XP OS.... make sure you know what you're looking for.

Wolf

 

[CoCW_Thomas]

First, I would like to apologize for the mistaken model number, but actually, it is worse with the actual model number, even less result shows up on Google.

According to the stickers under the case, it is an IBM ThinkCentre A18 (Type 8778). Under is an image from IBM.
The website: https://www.ibm.com/common/ssi/cgi-bin/ssialias?infotype=AN&subtype=CA&htmlfid=872/ENUSAG06-0300

While my computer has been around for a while, according to IBM, the same model that I have is still under 'planned availability'.

 

[ImWolf]

From IBM Support at:

https://www.ibm.com/support/fixcentral/help?page=machinepolicy

"1 As previously announced, Lenovo has acquired IBM's System x business. Machine Code policies relating to System x machines will be established by enovo and may be different from the policies described herein."

So, from Lenova Support at:

https://pcsupport.lenovo.com/us/en/...hType=Customer search&searchLocation=Homepage

And from that listing of Driver D/L's:

https://pcsupport.lenovo.com/us/en/...ethernet-nic-driver-3000-j100-thinkcentre-e50

Not sure if this is the match you seek. There are many drivers listed on this page.

Good Luck,
Wolf

 

[CoCW_Thomas]

Thank you for the help, but sadly the sites from Lenovo did not provide the correct driver I assume.
The driver package was extracted into a folder, and I installed the .exe file within, but after installation, nothing changed.

I am starting to think whether my computer is even legit, because most sites, including IBM and Lenovo, talked about the E50, but rarely A18. The system I have dates back to 2006, and products in similar periods like the ThinkPad X series have way more information and support. Well I guess it was more successful than the one I have.

 

[ImWolf]

The driver you need is more dependent on your MB chipset and OS than on your computer name. (although the name should help you identify the correct chipset.)

When manually installing drivers in XP you would normally point to the directory where the setup files are located INCLUDING the INF file. Or, you can right click the INF file and choose "install". Over the years I've become weary of driver packages that "self install".... seems like they often create problems or install extras that I didn't want.

Based on the information you already posted, I would try this driver:

https://drivers.softpedia.com/get/N...I-E-Ethernet-Driver-579805232012-for-XP.shtml

Failing that, you might also try installing the "unofficial SP4" for XP which has all MS updates thru (and beyond) the official "end of life."

https://archive.org/details/xp-unofficial-sp4-jan2022_20220113

 

[CoCW_Thomas]

Thanks again for the solution to my problems. I tried the first one, and sadly it does not work. It's another inf file which I installed without any effect.

But for installing sp4, I haven't tried it yet.

Though when I was messing around with the computer, I installed Windows 7 to check if the ethernet port is broken , instead I found out the driver should be this: RTL8102E/RTL8013E

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1wFEglO_sTB_q-7svyHRhw5kl2mcKTyej/view?usp=sharing

I am not sure if it will work fine if I find a driver for that.

 

[BFG-9000]

I don't understand why anyone would prefer to google for spyware ridden sites rather than going directly to the chip manufacturer's website. When you need a GPU driver do you also check Lenovo or Google?

Here you can find their auto-installation program for all of their PCIe products on Windows XP, dated 2018

And here you can find the drivers for PCI, dated 2012 so probably the same as on Softpedia.

Given the RTL8102E is listed as a PCIe device I'll guess the correct driver is the former.


BTW sometimes in XP you have to "search for an updated driver" in device manager and then point that to the directory you have extracted everything into.

 

[CoCW_Thomas]

Right, there is no incentive to go on sketchy websites, but if you search for the system I have, there is no relevant information.

Thanks for providing the two links, I will try the first one later, as I have tried the latter.

Okay, I never knew it is possible to use that function to install drivers, I will try that later when I have installed XP back.