Substitute for dead RJ45 Ethernet connection

Since I can no longer connect my old 64-bit Win7 HP notebook directly to
my router using Ethernet cable (only by WiFi,) I decided to try an
Ethernet-to-USB3 adapter as this one:

https://www.amazon.com/Ethernet-Macb...hernet+adapter

After reading the good reviews I didn't even think that it might not
work for me. Well it didn't. Which is interesting, because the same
adapter works like a champ on my other notebook, a Lenovo with Win10.
But I didn't buy it for that one. The adapter did not come with any
driver but I wonder now if a driver is actually needed for Win10.

I also wonder if my problem is that my old HP notebook did not come with
native USB 3 ports, but it does have an Express Card/34 slot where I
keep a twin USB3 card, as this:

https://www.amazon.com/ExpressCard-3...ard%2F34+USB+3

That USB3 card has been working fine for me for years now, so I figured
I could use one of those USB3 ports with the USB-to-ethernet adapter.
No luck there either, though at least the right port lit up on my
router. Interestingly that Ethernet adapter doesn't work on any of the
native USB2 ports, even at reduced speed.

I suspect the USB3-RJ45 adapter uses a Realtek USB GbE Family Controller
chip set because on my Win10 laptop that shows up in the Device Manager
when I use it there. On the Realtek driver download site I found a
driver for 64-bit win7 driver that I installed seemingly fine, but I had
no change in the status afterward and could not even find it anywhere in
the Device Manager.

Any ideas what I might still try before I return this adapter?

On 2/22/2018 8:47 PM, cameo wrote:
Since I can no longer connect my old 64-bit Win7 HP notebook directly to
my router using Ethernet cable (only by WiFi,) I decided to try an
Ethernet-to-USB3 adapter as this one:

https://www.amazon.com/Ethernet-Macb...hernet+adapter


After reading the good reviews I didn't even think that it might not
work for me. Well it didn't. Which is interesting, because the same
adapter works like a champ on my other notebook, a Lenovo with Win10.
But I didn't buy it for that one. The adapter did not come with any
driver but I wonder now if a driver is actually needed for Win10.

I also wonder if my problem is that my old HP notebook did not come with
native USB 3 ports, but it does have an Express Card/34 slot where I
keep a twin USB3 card, as this:

https://www.amazon.com/ExpressCard-3...ard%2F34+USB+3


That USB3 card has been working fine for me for years now, so I figured
I could use one of those USB3 ports with the USB-to-ethernet adapter.
No luck there either, though at least the right port lit up on my
router. Interestingly that Ethernet adapter doesn't work on any of the
native USB2 ports, even at reduced speed.

I suspect the USB3-RJ45 adapter uses a Realtek USB GbE Family Controller
chip set because on my Win10 laptop that shows up in the Device Manager
when I use it there. On the Realtek driver download site I found a
driver for 64-bit win7 driver that I installed seemingly fine, but I had
no change in the status afterward and could not even find it anywhere in
the Device Manager.

Any ideas what I might still try before I return this adapter?

If all else fails this might be worth a try:

These cost less than the adapter you have now
https://www.amazon.com/Plugable-Giga...hernet+adapter

And there are w7 drivers
Download Windows 8/8.1, 7, Vista, and XP drivers
https://plugable.com/drivers/usb3ethernet/

On 2/22/2018 11:10 PM, Mike S wrote:
On 2/22/2018 8:47 PM, cameo wrote:
Since I can no longer connect my old 64-bit Win7 HP notebook directly
to my router using Ethernet cable (only by WiFi,) I decided to try an
Ethernet-to-USB3 adapter as this one:

https://www.amazon.com/Ethernet-Macb...hernet+adapter


After reading the good reviews I didn't even think that it might not
work for me. Well it didn't. Which is interesting, because the same
adapter works like a champ on my other notebook, a Lenovo with Win10.
But I didn't buy it for that one. The adapter did not come with any
driver but I wonder now if a driver is actually needed for Win10.

I also wonder if my problem is that my old HP notebook did not come
with native USB 3 ports, but it does have an Express Card/34 slot
where I keep a twin USB3 card, as this:

https://www.amazon.com/ExpressCard-3...ard%2F34+USB+3


That USB3 card has been working fine for me for years now, so I
figured I could use one of those USB3 ports with the USB-to-ethernet
adapter.
No luck there either, though at least the right port lit up on my
router. Interestingly that Ethernet adapter doesn't work on any of the
native USB2 ports, even at reduced speed.

I suspect the USB3-RJ45 adapter uses a Realtek USB GbE Family
Controller chip set because on my Win10 laptop that shows up in the
Device Manager when I use it there. On the Realtek driver download
site I found a driver for 64-bit win7 driver that I installed
seemingly fine, but I had no change in the status afterward and could
not even find it anywhere in the Device Manager.

Any ideas what I might still try before I return this adapter?

If all else fails this might be worth a try:

These cost less than the adapter you have now
https://www.amazon.com/Plugable-Giga...hernet+adapter


And there are w7 drivers
Download Windows 8/8.1, 7, Vista, and XP drivers
https://plugable.com/drivers/usb3ethernet/

So happens, I was considering that one too, and I might just order and
try it. The only worry I have is whether it will work through my Expres
Card setup. But thanks for the tip nevertheless.

cameo wrote:
On 2/22/2018 11:10 PM, Mike S wrote:
On 2/22/2018 8:47 PM, cameo wrote:
Since I can no longer connect my old 64-bit Win7 HP notebook directly
to my router using Ethernet cable (only by WiFi,) I decided to try an
Ethernet-to-USB3 adapter as this one:

https://www.amazon.com/Ethernet-Macb...hernet+adapter


After reading the good reviews I didn't even think that it might not
work for me. Well it didn't. Which is interesting, because the same
adapter works like a champ on my other notebook, a Lenovo with Win10.
But I didn't buy it for that one. The adapter did not come with any
driver but I wonder now if a driver is actually needed for Win10.

I also wonder if my problem is that my old HP notebook did not come
with native USB 3 ports, but it does have an Express Card/34 slot
where I keep a twin USB3 card, as this:

https://www.amazon.com/ExpressCard-3...ard%2F34+USB+3


That USB3 card has been working fine for me for years now, so I
figured I could use one of those USB3 ports with the USB-to-ethernet
adapter.
No luck there either, though at least the right port lit up on my
router. Interestingly that Ethernet adapter doesn't work on any of
the native USB2 ports, even at reduced speed.

I suspect the USB3-RJ45 adapter uses a Realtek USB GbE Family
Controller chip set because on my Win10 laptop that shows up in the
Device Manager when I use it there. On the Realtek driver download
site I found a driver for 64-bit win7 driver that I installed
seemingly fine, but I had no change in the status afterward and could
not even find it anywhere in the Device Manager.

Any ideas what I might still try before I return this adapter?

If all else fails this might be worth a try:

These cost less than the adapter you have now
https://www.amazon.com/Plugable-Giga...hernet+adapter


And there are w7 drivers
Download Windows 8/8.1, 7, Vista, and XP drivers
https://plugable.com/drivers/usb3ethernet/

So happens, I was considering that one too, and I might just order and
try it. The only worry I have is whether it will work through my Expres
Card setup. But thanks for the tip nevertheless.


Why wouldn't it ? The Expresscard USB3 would come with a driver
for the chip on it. The output would be standard USB3. The ASIX
USB to Ethernet adapter would then behave like it would plugged
into any other USB port.

Even if you plug an ASIX GbE into a USB2 port, you should
still get 30MB/sec out of it. Even if an adapter cannot "dispose"
of a received packet, the packet should fall on the floor, and
TCP/IP should adapt to the lost packet. And the eventual rate
should settle down to the max that USB2 can handle.

I don't know about you, but I like to buy the version where
a driver CD comes with the goods. Even if it's a mini-CD it
is better than nothing. Only occasionally now, do you buy
hardware where the disc is completely useless (my Hauppauge
Tuner Card was like that, the enclosed disc being a waste
of polycarbonate plastic - I couldn't even test the tuner).

Some manufacturers make batches of CDs, that have drivers
for every product they make. And sometimes the driver is
actually missing for the item in the box. It happens.
Hard to say whether it was outright fraud, or an actual
"honest mistake". You'd think they would test this stuff.

Even if an item on Ebay doesn't include a CD, you should
avoid buying unless you know what the chip number is. As
that allows you to track down a driver, before you buy.
If a device uses a chip, where the driver is hard to find,
you then have advanced warning of the challenge you'll
face later.

Paul

In message , Paul
writes:
cameo wrote:
On 2/22/2018 11:10 PM, Mike S wrote:
On 2/22/2018 8:47 PM, cameo wrote:
Since I can no longer connect my old 64-bit Win7 HP notebook
directly to my router using Ethernet cable (only by WiFi,) I

Why: has its ethernet port died? (I had this on my old XP machine: not
sure if I _ever_ used it, but when I came to do so, it didn't work
[though "cable unplugged" showed in the tray all the time]. I assumed
either corrosion or fluff had gotten into the connector [why do so few
connectors come with covers?], or it had come unsoldered from the board
inside, but it might never have worked.)
[much of rest snipped - sorry can't help with adapter problem.]
I don't know about you, but I like to buy the version where
a driver CD comes with the goods. Even if it's a mini-CD it
is better than nothing. Only occasionally now, do you buy

Agreed. I actually even prefer the mini-CDs - I find them easier to
store and handle. (In the case of Macrium, I've got them [one for 32 one
for 64] stored, in paper sleeves, with my external disc dock: that'd be
more difficult with full-size CDs.)
[]
Some manufacturers make batches of CDs, that have drivers
for every product they make. And sometimes the driver is

Often for every version of Windows, too.

actually missing for the item in the box. It happens.
Hard to say whether it was outright fraud, or an actual
"honest mistake". You'd think they would test this stuff.

Conversely, those can sometimes be a source of driver to help out with
other hardware!

Even if an item on Ebay doesn't include a CD, you should
avoid buying unless you know what the chip number is. As
that allows you to track down a driver, before you buy.

Though a lot of smaller items, that info. is rarely included in the
cheaper listings.

If a device uses a chip, where the driver is hard to find,
you then have advanced warning of the challenge you'll
face later.
True.

Paul
John
--
J. P. Gilliver. UMRA: 1960/1985 MB++G()AL-IS-Ch++(p)Ar@T+H+Sh0!:`)DNAf

Feudalism : It's your count that votes.

On 2/23/2018 2:15 AM, J. P. Gilliver (John) wrote:
In message , Paul
writes:
cameo wrote:
On 2/22/2018 11:10 PM, Mike S wrote:
On 2/22/2018 8:47 PM, cameo wrote:
Since I can no longer connect my old 64-bit Win7 HP notebook
directly* to my router using Ethernet cable (only by WiFi,) I

Why: has its ethernet port died? (I had this on my old XP machine: not
sure if I _ever_ used it, but when I came to do so, it didn't work
[though "cable unplugged" showed in the tray all the time]. I assumed
either corrosion or fluff had gotten into the connector [why do so few
connectors come with covers?], or it had come unsoldered from the board
inside, but it might never have worked.)
[much of rest snipped - sorry can't help with adapter problem.]
I don't know about you, but I like to buy the version where
a driver CD comes with the goods. Even if it's a mini-CD it
is better than nothing. Only occasionally now, do you buy

Agreed. I actually even prefer the mini-CDs - I find them easier to
store and handle. (In the case of Macrium, I've got them [one for 32 one
for 64] stored, in paper sleeves, with my external disc dock: that'd be
more difficult with full-size CDs.)
[]
Some manufacturers make batches of CDs, that have drivers
for every product they make. And sometimes the driver is

Often for every version of Windows, too.

actually missing for the item in the box. It happens.
Hard to say whether it was outright fraud, or an actual
"honest mistake". You'd think they would test this stuff.

Conversely, those can sometimes be a source of driver to help out with
other hardware!

Even if an item on Ebay doesn't include a CD, you should
avoid buying unless you know what the chip number is. As
that allows you to track down a driver, before you buy.

Though a lot of smaller items, that info. is rarely included in the
cheaper listings.

If a device uses a chip, where the driver is hard to find,
you then have advanced warning of the challenge you'll
face later.
True.

* Paul
John

OK, Paul and John. I am returning the adapter I've just got and ordering
the one Mike suggested, even though it does not have the extra USB3
ports. I hope it will work.
Thanks guys. This is why I like this ancient medium, the Usenet with its
news groups.

On 2/22/2018 8:47 PM, cameo wrote:
Since I can no longer connect my old 64-bit Win7 HP notebook directly to
my router using Ethernet cable (only by WiFi,)....
snip

Can you see the LAN adapter in the Device Manager Network Adapters
section? Have you tried removing it and letting Windows reinstall it?

Is it physically damaged? Have you tried looking for corrosion or
cleaning fluff from it?

Just curious, when did it fail, did it get blown up by a power spike,
was it physically damaged, or did it just stop working one day, and what
did you do to try to fix it?

On 2/23/2018 11:45 PM, Mike S wrote:
On 2/22/2018 8:47 PM, cameo wrote:
Since I can no longer connect my old 64-bit Win7 HP notebook directly
to my router using Ethernet cable (only by WiFi,)....
snip

Can you see the LAN adapter in the Device Manager Network Adapters
section? Have you tried removing it and letting Windows reinstall it?

Yes, I tried it but Windows reinstalled the same driver w/o success.

Is it physically damaged? Have you tried looking for corrosion or
cleaning fluff from it?

I didn't try that but the fact that the router port yo which I connected
it would not light up suggested to me hardware problem. This was not a
big surprise to me because this particular Pavilion model's system board
had some problem before wher I had to reflow the solder on its graphics
chip a couple times. Eventually I had to replace the system board with a
new one with a more recent version of GPU.

Just curious, when did it fail, did it get blown up by a power spike,
was it physically damaged, or did it just stop working one day, and what
did you do to try to fix it?

Actually it did not stop working suddenly. Before that happened, the
connection would drop off periodically which I first assumed to be
Comcast network issue till I discovered that the WiFi on my router
worked fine even when my Ethernet connection was down. Since I also have
a Win10 Lenovo laptop, I tried the same router ports and cables on that
one and the connection worked there fine.

I contacted HP's customer support which was surprisingly accommodating
despite the out-of-warranty situation but even they could not help.
At that point I decided I had enough of trying to make thet RJ45 port
working again and try the USB3 method.

I should get the Plugable adapter tomorrow, Sunday, and I already got an
email from the vendor that I could install the driver from their web
site even before the adapter arrives. That way I could just connect it
to the USB3 port and it would work right away. How about that confidence
on their part?

On 2/22/2018 11:49 PM, Paul wrote:
cameo wrote:
On 2/22/2018 11:10 PM, Mike S wrote:
On 2/22/2018 8:47 PM, cameo wrote:
Since I can no longer connect my old 64-bit Win7 HP notebook
directly to my router using Ethernet cable (only by WiFi,) I decided
to try an Ethernet-to-USB3 adapter as this one:

https://www.amazon.com/Ethernet-Macb...hernet+adapter


After reading the good reviews I didn't even think that it might not
work for me. Well it didn't. Which is interesting, because the same
adapter works like a champ on my other notebook, a Lenovo with
Win10. But I didn't buy it for that one. The adapter did not come
with any driver but I wonder now if a driver is actually needed for
Win10.

I also wonder if my problem is that my old HP notebook did not come
with native USB 3 ports, but it does have an Express Card/34 slot
where I keep a twin USB3 card, as this:

https://www.amazon.com/ExpressCard-3...ard%2F34+USB+3


That USB3 card has been working fine for me for years now, so I
figured I could use one of those USB3 ports with the USB-to-ethernet
adapter.
No luck there either, though at least the right port lit up on my
router. Interestingly that Ethernet adapter doesn't work on any of
the native USB2 ports, even at reduced speed.

I suspect the USB3-RJ45 adapter uses a Realtek USB GbE Family
Controller chip set because on my Win10 laptop that shows up in the
Device Manager when I use it there. On the Realtek driver download
site I found a driver for 64-bit win7 driver that I installed
seemingly fine, but I had no change in the status afterward and
could not even find it anywhere in the Device Manager.

Any ideas what I might still try before I return this adapter?

If all else fails this might be worth a try:

These cost less than the adapter you have now
https://www.amazon.com/Plugable-Giga...hernet+adapter


And there are w7 drivers
Download Windows 8/8.1, 7, Vista, and XP drivers
https://plugable.com/drivers/usb3ethernet/

So happens, I was considering that one too, and I might just order and
try it. The only worry I have is whether it will work through my
Expres Card setup. But thanks for the tip nevertheless.


Why wouldn't it ? The Expresscard USB3 would come with a driver
for the chip on it. The output would be standard USB3. The ASIX
USB to Ethernet adapter would then behave like it would plugged
into any other USB port.

Even if you plug an ASIX GbE into a USB2 port, you should
still get 30MB/sec out of it. Even if an adapter cannot "dispose"
of a received packet, the packet should fall on the floor, and
TCP/IP should adapt to the lost packet. And the eventual rate
should settle down to the max that USB2 can handle.

I don't know about you, but I like to buy the version where
a driver CD comes with the goods. Even if it's a mini-CD it
is better than nothing. Only occasionally now, do you buy
hardware where the disc is completely useless (my Hauppauge
Tuner Card was like that, the enclosed disc being a waste
of polycarbonate plastic - I couldn't even test the tuner).

Some manufacturers make batches of CDs, that have drivers
for every product they make. And sometimes the driver is
actually missing for the item in the box. It happens.
Hard to say whether it was outright fraud, or an actual
"honest mistake". You'd think they would test this stuff.

Even if an item on Ebay doesn't include a CD, you should
avoid buying unless you know what the chip number is. As
that allows you to track down a driver, before you buy.
If a device uses a chip, where the driver is hard to find,
you then have advanced warning of the challenge you'll
face later.

** Paul

I've just noticed on the Asix dowload page
http://www.asix.com.tw/download.php?...il&PItemID=131
two entries listed for Win 7:

Windows 7 64-bit Driver
and
Windows 7 32-bit/64-bit WHCK drivers setup program.

Though my Win7 is 64-bit, I am not sure how to handle these two
downloads. Can you help?

cameo wrote:
On 2/22/2018 11:49 PM, Paul wrote:
cameo wrote:
On 2/22/2018 11:10 PM, Mike S wrote:
On 2/22/2018 8:47 PM, cameo wrote:
Since I can no longer connect my old 64-bit Win7 HP notebook
directly to my router using Ethernet cable (only by WiFi,) I
decided to try an Ethernet-to-USB3 adapter as this one:

https://www.amazon.com/Ethernet-Macb...hernet+adapter


After reading the good reviews I didn't even think that it might
not work for me. Well it didn't. Which is interesting, because the
same adapter works like a champ on my other notebook, a Lenovo with
Win10. But I didn't buy it for that one. The adapter did not come
with any driver but I wonder now if a driver is actually needed for
Win10.

I also wonder if my problem is that my old HP notebook did not come
with native USB 3 ports, but it does have an Express Card/34 slot
where I keep a twin USB3 card, as this:

https://www.amazon.com/ExpressCard-3...ard%2F34+USB+3


That USB3 card has been working fine for me for years now, so I
figured I could use one of those USB3 ports with the
USB-to-ethernet adapter.
No luck there either, though at least the right port lit up on my
router. Interestingly that Ethernet adapter doesn't work on any of
the native USB2 ports, even at reduced speed.

I suspect the USB3-RJ45 adapter uses a Realtek USB GbE Family
Controller chip set because on my Win10 laptop that shows up in the
Device Manager when I use it there. On the Realtek driver download
site I found a driver for 64-bit win7 driver that I installed
seemingly fine, but I had no change in the status afterward and
could not even find it anywhere in the Device Manager.

Any ideas what I might still try before I return this adapter?

If all else fails this might be worth a try:

These cost less than the adapter you have now
https://www.amazon.com/Plugable-Giga...hernet+adapter


And there are w7 drivers
Download Windows 8/8.1, 7, Vista, and XP drivers
https://plugable.com/drivers/usb3ethernet/

So happens, I was considering that one too, and I might just order
and try it. The only worry I have is whether it will work through my
Expres Card setup. But thanks for the tip nevertheless.


Why wouldn't it ? The Expresscard USB3 would come with a driver
for the chip on it. The output would be standard USB3. The ASIX
USB to Ethernet adapter would then behave like it would plugged
into any other USB port.

Even if you plug an ASIX GbE into a USB2 port, you should
still get 30MB/sec out of it. Even if an adapter cannot "dispose"
of a received packet, the packet should fall on the floor, and
TCP/IP should adapt to the lost packet. And the eventual rate
should settle down to the max that USB2 can handle.

I don't know about you, but I like to buy the version where
a driver CD comes with the goods. Even if it's a mini-CD it
is better than nothing. Only occasionally now, do you buy
hardware where the disc is completely useless (my Hauppauge
Tuner Card was like that, the enclosed disc being a waste
of polycarbonate plastic - I couldn't even test the tuner).

Some manufacturers make batches of CDs, that have drivers
for every product they make. And sometimes the driver is
actually missing for the item in the box. It happens.
Hard to say whether it was outright fraud, or an actual
"honest mistake". You'd think they would test this stuff.

Even if an item on Ebay doesn't include a CD, you should
avoid buying unless you know what the chip number is. As
that allows you to track down a driver, before you buy.
If a device uses a chip, where the driver is hard to find,
you then have advanced warning of the challenge you'll
face later.

Paul

I've just noticed on the Asix dowload page
http://www.asix.com.tw/download.php?...il&PItemID=131
two entries listed for Win 7:

Windows 7 64-bit Driver
and
Windows 7 32-bit/64-bit WHCK drivers setup program.

Though my Win7 is 64-bit, I am not sure how to handle these two
downloads. Can you help?



This one is a driver with a GUI package to do the install.
This package may also contain localization, so the dialogs
are in your Windows language choice. Unpack the folder using
7ZIP or using the Windows built-in ZIP handling. Once the
folder of stuff is copied out, run Setup.exe.

Windows 7 32-bit/64-bit WHCK drivers setup program
V3.0.5.0 2017-08-02 For 32-bit/64-bit x86 CPU platform
WHCK certified 8.8 MB Download

*******

The tiny download one is an INF style driver install. In Device Manager,
you offer the folder to Device Manager as a location for the
driver update to search. And then it can pick up the INF.

This style package doesn't have an add/remove or
Programs and Features interface at all. Using this would
be a mistake in most situations, especially if ASIX insists
you remove this later for some reason.

Windows 7 64-bit Driver V1.14.11.0 2017-06-08
For 64-bit x86 CPU platform,
WHCK certified 47.3 KB Download

Is that the kind of feedback you're looking for ?

HTH,
Paul

In message , cameo
writes:
On 2/23/2018 11:45 PM, Mike S wrote:
[]
I didn't try that but the fact that the router port yo which I
connected it would not light up suggested to me hardware problem. This
was not a big surprise to me because this particular Pavilion model's
system board had some problem before wher I had to reflow the solder on
its graphics chip a couple times. Eventually I had to replace the
system board with a new one with a more recent version of GPU.
[]
I contacted HP's customer support which was surprisingly accommodating
despite the out-of-warranty situation but even they could not help.
At that point I decided I had enough of trying to make thet RJ45 port
working again and try the USB3 method.
[]
Since you've had the system board out already, you'll know: is the
ethernet socket directly connected to the main board, or - as in a lot
of laptops - is it (maybe along with a couple of USB ports) on a small
board, that is connected to the main board by a cable? If the latter, it
might be worth replacing the small board - and/or checking the
connections of the cable connecting the two boards.
--
J. P. Gilliver. UMRA: 1960/1985 MB++G()AL-IS-Ch++(p)Ar@T+H+Sh0!:`)DNAf

Diplomacy is the art of letting someone have your way.

On 25/02/2018 08:22, J. P. Gilliver (John) wrote:

Since you've had the system board out already, you'll know: is the
ethernet socket directly connected to the main board, or - as in a lot
of laptops - is it (maybe along with a couple of USB ports) on a small
board, that is connected to the main board by a cable? If the latter, it
might be worth replacing the small board - and/or checking the
connections of the cable connecting the two boards.

Yes, I've had such a daughter board come adrift on a Dell Latitude D610
- the mechanical connection was soldered and had broken, so I reasoned
that solder wasn't man enough for the job, and attached the daughter
board using a small bolt and a spacer; no trouble since.

On 2/25/2018 12:22 AM, J. P. Gilliver (John) wrote:
In message , cameo
writes:
On 2/23/2018 11:45 PM, Mike S wrote:
[]
I didn't try that but the fact that the router port yo which I
connected it would not light up suggested to me hardware problem. This
was not a big surprise to me because this particular Pavilion model's
system board had some problem before wher I had to reflow the solder
on its graphics chip a couple times. Eventually I had to replace the
system board with a new one with a more recent version of GPU.
[]
I contacted HP's customer support which was surprisingly accommodating
despite the out-of-warranty situation but even they could not help.
At that point I decided I had enough of trying to make thet RJ45 port
working again and try the USB3 method.
[]
Since you've had the system board out already, you'll know: is the
ethernet socket directly connected to the main board, or - as in a lot
of laptops - is it (maybe along with a couple of USB ports) on a small
board, that is connected to the main board by a cable? If the latter, it
might be worth replacing the small board - and/or checking the
connections of the cable connecting the two boards.

Luckily I still have pictures of the noteboook disassembly at various
stages, so I don't have to rely on my memory. Unfortunately the RJ45
socket is soldered right to the motherboard, no a separate small board.
This is the HP Pavilion tx1000 model, more specifically tx1410us. It's a
real small notebook but I can run a full 1920 pix HD external monitor
from it while the notebook cover is closed and tucked away. Except the
obvious quality control issues, it's a really good design where you can
access not just the battery but the hard drive and memory slot really
easily for any upgrade. I wish I could say the same thing about my newer
Lenovo laptop.

On 2/24/2018 11:05 PM, Paul wrote:
cameo wrote:
On 2/22/2018 11:49 PM, Paul wrote:
cameo wrote:
On 2/22/2018 11:10 PM, Mike S wrote:
On 2/22/2018 8:47 PM, cameo wrote:
Since I can no longer connect my old 64-bit Win7 HP notebook
directly to my router using Ethernet cable (only by WiFi,) I
decided to try an Ethernet-to-USB3 adapter as this one:

https://www.amazon.com/Ethernet-Macb...hernet+adapter


After reading the good reviews I didn't even think that it might
not work for me. Well it didn't. Which is interesting, because the
same adapter works like a champ on my other notebook, a Lenovo
with Win10. But I didn't buy it for that one. The adapter did not
come with any driver but I wonder now if a driver is actually
needed for Win10.

I also wonder if my problem is that my old HP notebook did not
come with native USB 3 ports, but it does have an Express Card/34
slot where I keep a twin USB3 card, as this:

https://www.amazon.com/ExpressCard-3...ard%2F34+USB+3


That USB3 card has been working fine for me for years now, so I
figured I could use one of those USB3 ports with the
USB-to-ethernet adapter.
No luck there either, though at least the right port lit up on my
router. Interestingly that Ethernet adapter doesn't work on any of
the native USB2 ports, even at reduced speed.

I suspect the USB3-RJ45 adapter uses a Realtek USB GbE Family
Controller chip set because on my Win10 laptop that shows up in
the Device Manager when I use it there. On the Realtek driver
download site I found a driver for 64-bit win7 driver that I
installed seemingly fine, but I had no change in the status
afterward and could not even find it anywhere in the Device Manager.

Any ideas what I might still try before I return this adapter?

If all else fails this might be worth a try:

These cost less than the adapter you have now
https://www.amazon.com/Plugable-Giga...hernet+adapter


And there are w7 drivers
Download Windows 8/8.1, 7, Vista, and XP drivers
https://plugable.com/drivers/usb3ethernet/

So happens, I was considering that one too, and I might just order
and try it. The only worry I have is whether it will work through my
Expres Card setup. But thanks for the tip nevertheless.


Why wouldn't it ? The Expresscard USB3 would come with a driver
for the chip on it. The output would be standard USB3. The ASIX
USB to Ethernet adapter would then behave like it would plugged
into any other USB port.

Even if you plug an ASIX GbE into a USB2 port, you should
still get 30MB/sec out of it. Even if an adapter cannot "dispose"
of a received packet, the packet should fall on the floor, and
TCP/IP should adapt to the lost packet. And the eventual rate
should settle down to the max that USB2 can handle.

I don't know about you, but I like to buy the version where
a driver CD comes with the goods. Even if it's a mini-CD it
is better than nothing. Only occasionally now, do you buy
hardware where the disc is completely useless (my Hauppauge
Tuner Card was like that, the enclosed disc being a waste
of polycarbonate plastic - I couldn't even test the tuner).

Some manufacturers make batches of CDs, that have drivers
for every product they make. And sometimes the driver is
actually missing for the item in the box. It happens.
Hard to say whether it was outright fraud, or an actual
"honest mistake". You'd think they would test this stuff.

Even if an item on Ebay doesn't include a CD, you should
avoid buying unless you know what the chip number is. As
that allows you to track down a driver, before you buy.
If a device uses a chip, where the driver is hard to find,
you then have advanced warning of the challenge you'll
face later.

*** Paul

I've just noticed on the Asix dowload page
http://www.asix.com.tw/download.php?...il&PItemID=131
two entries listed for Win 7:

Windows 7 64-bit Driver
and
Windows 7 32-bit/64-bit WHCK drivers setup program.

Though my Win7 is 64-bit, I am not sure how to handle these two
downloads. Can you help?



This one is a driver with a GUI package to do the install.
This package may also contain localization, so the dialogs
are in your Windows language choice. Unpack the folder using
7ZIP or using the Windows built-in ZIP handling. Once the
folder of stuff is copied out, run Setup.exe.

** Windows 7 32-bit/64-bit WHCK drivers setup program
** V3.0.5.0* 2017-08-02* For 32-bit/64-bit x86 CPU platform
** WHCK certified** 8.8 MB Download

*******

Thanks for that tip, Paul. Indeed the driver setup program ran smoothly
and finished successfully. After that I checked the Network adapters
folder in the Device Manager, and sure enough, there was the new
"ASIX AX88179 USB 3.0 to Gigabit Ethernet Adapter" entry and its
Property sheet also told me that the device was working properly.
Before I connected the ethernet cable to the adapter, I also disabled
the non-functioning nVidia controller for good measure.

Now comes the disappointment. I still could not get a network connection
through this new adapter even though both the router port light and the
adapter lights were on as they supposed to be. From little diagnosis I
was able to do, it appeares that the new ethernet connection does not
have the gateaway address which in my case is 192.168.1.1. The WiFi
connection does see that gateway address.

When I went into my router's interface to see what IPs it assigned to
all the devices, I saw a new one for my Notebook that I haven't seen
before and from the MAC Id I could tell that's the IP assigned to the
new adapter. So with all that, I would think everything should be
working, right?

I wish I knew a way to post screen images of relevant settings here that
would let you see what I see here. I used to know one of those free web
sites that anonymously accepted image uploads and returned an URL of
those images for viewing by anybody. Last time I checked that site was
full with suspicious ads and I want to stay away from those.

The tiny download one is an INF style driver install. In Device Manager,
you offer the folder to Device Manager as a location for the
driver update to search. And then it can pick up the INF.

This style package doesn't have an add/remove or
Programs and Features interface at all. Using this would
be a mistake in most situations, especially if ASIX insists
you remove this later for some reason.

** Windows 7 64-bit Driver* V1.14.11.0* 2017-06-08
** For 64-bit x86 CPU platform,
** WHCK certified** 47.3 KB Download

I did not use this smaller driver file.

Is that the kind of feedback you're looking for ?

Yes, absolutely. Thanks for the help.
I think my situation here is not hopeless and just need that one clue to
get this thing working. BTW, I tried the adapter on my Win10 laptop,
too, and it worked there fine without any drivers.

cameo wrote:


I wish I knew a way to post screen images of relevant settings here that
would let you see what I see here. I used to know one of those free web
sites that anonymously accepted image uploads and returned an URL of
those images for viewing by anybody. Last time I checked that site was
full with suspicious ads and I want to stay away from those.

This one is still suspicious. It has a 1024x768 limit and
will reduce the resolution of larger images, to fit in that space.
All sites need to show you some sort of advertising, unless
you're paying a monthly rental.

https://postimage.org/index.php?um=flash

When the upload is finished, it will return a table of URLs.
Look to the "Hotlink for forums:" row, third from the bottom.
Extract the URL from there. It will look similar to this.

https://s14.postimg.org/582whzo75/some.gif # this is not a real URL

Using a second browser, copy the URL into the browser and
verify the image is at full scale. I've made mistakes before
and used the thumbnail link instead, and that ends up being
an unreadably-small image. Testing with a second browser,
is to verify everything is OK.

That site receives so many uploads per month, their provider
presented them with a bill for $40,000 for the bandwidth used.
That's the bill for one month.

*******

The site you might have been thinking of, is "tinypic", which
used to be pretty bad in terms of the advertising content.
It would almost freeze the PC with the junk loaded in the
browser. When I visit that site now (someone posts a picture
via the site), I use a Linux VM :-)

Paul