Kitz Forum

Computer Software => Windows 7 => Topic started by: jid on September 20, 2009, 07:33:46 PM

Title: Networking Drivers
Post by: jid on September 20, 2009, 07:33:46 PM

Hi all,

Today I have had a day of planning for the Windows 7 install on my desktop...

I ran the Upgrade Advisor, and it tells me the Driver for my network may not work.

Its an ADMTek AN983B on board networking device which last had updated drivers in 2005.

However I am running those drivers in Vista fine. Question is I cannot find the download for them (at least one that works!) as I had to manually install them into Vista last year...

Question is, can I use the .sys file stored on my machine and simply use that same file in Windows 7?

I.e go to C:/Windows/System32/Drivers/an983.sys
Copy and Paste that and install it on Windows 7?

Sorry if the post is a bit confusing but I am not sure it can be done?

Cheers

Jamie :)

Title: Re: Networking Drivers
Post by: HPsauce on September 20, 2009, 09:48:53 PM

Just use the Vista drivers.

Title: Re: Networking Drivers
Post by: mr_chris on September 21, 2009, 12:42:22 PM

To install a driver on Windows you need the corresponding .inf file too. It's not as simple as just dropping the .sys file in the folder and hoping for the best.

.INF files tell Windows HOW to install a driver, where to put registry keys, which files to copy where, etc.

It'll be in your C:\Windows\inf folder called OEMxx.INF (xx is any number).

If you open each oem*.inf file in Notepad, and find the one that references the an983.sys driver file, and then see what other files (if any) it needs.

Then copy all those files in the same folder, including the .inf file, and the corresponding named OEMxx.CAT file from C:\Windows\System32\Catroot\{F750E6C3-38EE-11D1-85E5-00C04FC295EE} that should be everything you need to recreate the driver installation folder.

Hope that makes sense!

Title: Re: Networking Drivers
Post by: jid on September 21, 2009, 02:12:19 PM

Thanks Chris...

Will take a look at it...

Title: Re: Networking Drivers
Post by: jid on September 21, 2009, 08:39:03 PM

Couldn't find any inf files in there Chris, only cat files??

Anyways managed to find a driver online which is close to the version installed now. Just hope that works, found it on the Windows Update Catalogue...

Title: Re: Networking Drivers
Post by: jid on October 18, 2009, 05:59:20 PM

One final question on this...
Its close to release day ;)

My LAN should work on Windows 7 if it works on Vista shouldn't it? Driver is for Windows XP but works fine on Windows Vista.