Server 2003 Can't install or uninstall NICS - i.e. no network

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The Windows Server 2003 Enterprise machine I am working on had a NIC issue
and it was replaced (I was not involved). The new NIC will not install and
dies with an error of "The system cannot find the file specified" -(what
file?). I have tried both the same NIC has the original, a different NIC with
the same chipset, and a different NIC with a different chip set. Same
problem, and same error. I have even attempted the MS loopback adapter and
still get the exact same error.
The system will not let me uninstall the old drivers because "needed by
windows to boot", and of course I can't install a new one.

I have tried to find some sort of logfile to indicate "what file" can't be
found, but no luck. I have also booted the setup disk and attempted a repair
to make sure all of the system files are there, without effect.

Of course this all happened during a period of backup issues, so there is
not a restore path. In fact, I am just trying to get up to a point that the
Exchange 2003 Data can be recovered and restored to a new server.

Any clues?

The only reedeming factor for me here is that I had no hand in breaking it,
I am hoping to make it less broke....

Thanks

To display hidden devices, non-Plug and Play devices, and devices not
attached to the computer (commonly known as "ghosted" or "phantom" devices)
Save the following two lines as a file then execute.

--------------------------setdev.bat---------------------
set DEVMGR_SHOW_NONPRESENT_DEVICES=1
start devmgmt.msc
---------------------------------------------------------

Then, View|Show Hidden Devices to remove or reconfigure these devices. Do
not edit the registry.

Any connections defined Control Panel|Network Connections? If so try first
to unbind any services/ protocols (Uncheck only. Don't uninstall) then try
the setdev.bat again.

No connections are defined, any that were there have dissapeared...

These articles may help.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/317518
http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;en-us;325356

I can now see multiple "ghosted" devices but can't uninstall any of them, I
get "failed to unistall the device, The device may be required to boot up the
computer".

Still can't install NIC's-

The following excerpt is from setupapi.log and includes the error received
when trying to install a NIC.

#I022 Found "PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_1229&REV_08" in C:\WINDOWS\inf\net557.inf;
Device: "Intel 8255x-based PCI Ethernet Adapter (10/100)"; Driver: "Intel
8255x-based PCI Ethernet Adapter (10/100)"; Provider: "Microsoft"; Mfg:
"Intel"; Section name: "D101MG.ndi".
#I023 Actual install section: [D101MG.ndi.NTx86]. Rank: 0x00002000. Driver
date: 10/01/2002. Version: 6.6.8.1.
#-166 Device install function: DIF_SELECTBESTCOMPATDRV.
#I063 Selected driver installs from section [multiport_NTx86.ndi] in
"c:\windows\inf\oem12.inf".
#I320 Class GUID of device remains: {4D36E972-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318}.
#I060 Set selected driver.
#I058 Selected best compatible driver.
#-124 Doing copy-only install of
"PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_1229&SUBSYS_B1630E11&REV_08\4&DE4D5E1&0&2828".
#-166 Device install function: DIF_REGISTER_COINSTALLERS.
#I056 Coinstallers registered.
#-166 Device install function: DIF_INSTALLINTERFACES.
#-011 Installing section [multiport_NTx86.ndi.NTx86.Interfaces] from
"c:\windows\inf\oem12.inf".
#I054 Interfaces installed.
#-166 Device install function: DIF_INSTALLDEVICE.
#I123 Doing full install of
"PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_1229&SUBSYS_B1630E11&REV_08\4&DE4D5E1&0&2828".
#I121 Device install of
"PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_1229&SUBSYS_B1630E11&REV_08\4&DE4D5E1&0&2828" finished
successfully.
#E154 Class installer failed. Error 2: The system cannot find the file
specified.

Below is the setupapi.log after trying to install the Microsoft Loopback
adapter:

[2004/11/22 11:04:09 648.530 Driver Install]
#-124 Doing copy-only install of "ROOT\NET\0000".
#-198 Command line processed: "C:\WINDOWS\system32\rundll32.exe"
C:\WINDOWS\system32\shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL
"C:\WINDOWS\system32\hdwwiz.cpl",Add Hardware
#-166 Device install function: DIF_REGISTER_COINSTALLERS.
#I056 Coinstallers registered.
#-166 Device install function: DIF_INSTALLINTERFACES.
#-011 Installing section [MSLOOP.ndi.NT.Interfaces] from
"c:\windows\inf\netloop.inf".
#I054 Interfaces installed.
#-166 Device install function: DIF_INSTALLDEVICE.
#I123 Doing full install of "ROOT\NET\0000".
#I121 Device install of "ROOT\NET\0000" finished successfully.
#E154 Class installer failed. Error 2: The system cannot find the file
specified.
#I060 Set selected driver.
#I125 Installing NULL driver for "ROOT\NET\0000".
#I121 Device install of "ROOT\NET\0000" finished successfully.
#-166 Device install function: DIF_REMOVE.
#I289 Removing device "ROOT\NET\0000".
#I048 Device removed.
#E154 Class installer failed. Error 2: The system cannot find the file
specified.

In all instances it fails with "can't find the file specified".

What file(s) is it looking for?

[lancesjunk]

I experienced this exact problem and spent many many hours trying to resolve it. All Internet searches revealed many things to try but nothing short of reinstalling Windows resolved the problem. I gave up and called MS for after hours support ($515). They were able to give me the fix within minutes. If the solution below helps you, please help me defray my out of pocket costs for the support call by sending a buck or two to my paypal account - lancesjunk 'at' comcast.net

Background of my problem. I accidentally installed symantec endpoint protection with network threat protection (the firewall) on my exchange server. This hosed up all network communication. I uninstalled the product, but it left the "teefer2" network drivers in the hidden device manager (seen by running "set DEVMGR_SHOW_NONPRESENT_DEVICES=1" and setting Show Hidden Devices from the view menu of device manager.

The network communication problem still existed after going through the lengthy manual removal process found here: http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT...07073018014248

I was not able to uninstall or replace the drivers for the network cards to get them working correctly. It would always give me the error about the device being needed for booting.

Throughout this process, I have continually received the error, "#E154 Class installer failed. Error 2: The system cannot find the file specified.", while trying to get the drivers installed/updated for the cards. This was in the file c:\windows\setupapi.log I tried every driver known to man for these cards. At the end of every driver installation or update, I would get an error from the Hardware Update Wizard, which says:

"Cannot install this hardware"
There was a problem installing this hardware
Broadcom NetXtreme Gigabit Ethernet
An error occurred during the installation of the Device
The system cannot find the file specified

The actual process looks correct, as in, it is showing the files getting copied and I get the signed driver error on some that I tried, but the error is always the same.

Without much hope left, and facing a possible restore, I went through the entire registry and deleted anything that was associate with the broadcom cards and teefer2. This removed the nics and teefer2 from device manager and I was confident reinstalling "from scratch" would work, but it did not -I got all the problems mentioned above from the hardware wizard, and in setupapi.log.

This was my breaking point and decided to seek Microsoft's help. I am glad I did as their solution was simple, yet very obscure.

Backup and then delete the REG_BINARY value 'CONFIG' (not the "network" key from HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Network

You then restart the computer and either Windows will install the card automatically, or you will have to kick it off. If it is already in Device Manager, you may have to update the driver. This time it will work like magic.

A MS knowledge base article can be found here: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/937056
Although, it is for a slightly different issue, the underlying problem of holding onto incorrect information is the same. It also lists only win2000 and 2003sp1 having been affected, but my problem was on SP2 of 2003 server.

After the headache I got from endless google searches and deadends, I hope this helps somebody before going through all the trouble. Please forgive the reposting on other threads experiencing the same problem.

~Lance Smith

[LuxZg]

Hi,

I'm really thikning about sending you few $$ to PayPal, as this solved my issue in a moment. You will have to wait a bit, as I have to open PayPal account or find someone with it.. but it is comming, even if it's just few bucks.

Here was my problem:
- Windows Server 2000 SP2 box
- tried updating to SP4 but got numerous errors and problems
- went to in-place upgrade to Windows Server 2003 SP1, as I wanted this box patched and updated even though it is just a minor "test-server"
- couldn't install NIC (tried onboard (VIA Rhine II), Realtek, 3com, D-Link) and neither of them would install, and I've tried dozen of drivers, at least 2-3 for each card
- errors were exact same as yours as much as I can see, "the system cannot find the file specified", VIA install would pop something along "can not find any inf file", other setups had similar errors saying they cannot find files, inf files or would just say that they cannot install device
- tried a lot of tips from Google, but no-go
- tried your tip, and worked as a charm! THANKS!!!

Btw, I've joined this forum just to post this.. If I had enough money myself, I'd probably send you all 500$, but my budget is kinda thin, so you're probably get just 5$ :) Non the less, you have my eternal gratitude ;)

Cheers!
Luka Pribanic, Lux

[Shorty1000]

I want to thank Lancesjunk for saving me from hara-kiri today. I spent hours trying to figure out why I couldn't just replace a bad nic in my server. And after searching the web (during every break I had when my server restarted) and I finally came across this forum. That little MS trick you mentioned worked. Now I am cleaning up the mess that the MS updates made last night, but my users can finally get on my network. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

[bellevuefd]

Lance,
I am the quasi-computer expert at my local volunteer fire department. One of our computers will not connect to our network. The NIC adaptor is hidden in the control panel. I want to try uninstalling it but it won't let me. Sounds like your fix will work. Could you just explain how to delete the REG_BINARY value CONFIG? You would certainly help out a group of guys who normally help others.

Thanks,
Brian

[JordanCL]

Have used your method to remove CONFIG from "netrwork" key but not working, Win2003 'auto-repair' the value and those network drivers still cannot be uninstalled.

Sorry issue resolved by just uninstall main NIC, the rest of binded NIC auto-reinstalled. Thanks anyway.

[stayfrosty]

I can confirm that deleting the REG_BINARY 'CONFIG' from HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Network solves the problem.

I had this problem in Windows XP Professional, almost reinstalled Windows over this. Every time I tried to install network drivers it said "cannot find the file specified" and refused to use the ethernet card. I even plugged different card, but that annoying error kept poping on a new card too.

After deleteting the reg_binary, I restarted, then installed network drivers, as usual, for nVidia chipset, and voila! the Internet is back.


Thanks Lance! You saved me almost 15 hours of work reinstalling Windows, migrating documents, installing apps and so on.

[Phaseone1914]

I just joined so i could say THANK YOU!! I had a user down all day because of this

[warzouing]

It's been 2 years since your post and I hope you're still active. It's 2:30 AM and after 4, 5 hours and I don't know how many pages from Google, I finally hit this one and I was under the impression that it should be the solution. I'm so glad it is indeed as I'm getting a little bit desperate. The solution is so simple yet it works and I have just subscribed to this forum to have the chance to say how much I appreciate that you share it. Thanks again !

[antspants77]

Hi,
I too spent 5 hours trying to add back a network card to a XenServer VM.
And removing the registry key and the other ones mentioned in the Microsoft Knowledgebase article saved my sanity.

I needed to removed the other keys;
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Tcpip\Parameters\Adapters\ {GUID}

&

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Tcpip\Parameters\Interfaces\{GUID}

As my VM was a Domain Controller. The {GUID} in each refers to a long number after Interfaces & Adapters. In my case I had 3 to delete of each.

Also, I had to remove XenServer tools before removing the registry keys and rebooting.
Thanks again.

[Aaron_Wedemeyer]

Lance,

I too joined just to say THANK YOU I spent 15 hours yesterday going thru Symantec manual deletion procedures, in addition to several iterations of Domain Recovery Console deleting TCP/IP. Reached the end of my rope, and just did a registry search for teefer2 and deleted every reference, but then I could no longer install or remove any network adapters.
Your little trick, a reboot, and finally my users can see their shared folders on this server, and the PD can book evidence again.