up vote 0 down vote favorite
share [g+] share [fb]

We have HP laptops with a Broadcom NetXtreme Gigabit Ethernet card. For some reason, it is possible to 'safely remove' the network card from Windows. Obviously this disconnects the machine from the network.

Even worse, removing the network cable from the laptop (e.g. to move it to another room) automatically 'safely removes' the NIC. The machine cannot be reconnected to the network until Windows is rebooted!

I haven't been able to find any settings on the network adapter in Device Manager that changes this behaviour.

Does anyone know how to stop Windows from listing this device as hardware that can be removed?

link|improve this question
95% accept rate
feedback

5 Answers

up vote 0 down vote accepted

Here you go. The answer is at the bottom of the discussion. You may want to test it on a dummy machine that isn't very important first. Good luck. The answer is at techrepublic

link|improve this answer
3  
It'd be preferable to include the answer itself in your response, instead of linking to the answer – Orihara May 27 '09 at 15:04
Sorry, I just didn't know if copy/pasting was tolerated :D. – Jacob May 28 '09 at 13:26
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services[your network adaptors keys]. Check under the Enum key, make sure it is a PCI and not USB entry. Under each network adaptor key, create a DWORD DisableRemovable with data value of 1. This doesn't stop the NIC from being removed but it does reconnect it properly. – Alex Angas Jun 2 '09 at 11:28
-1 - copy pasting isn't great, but it is preferable to linking to something that could move or be deleted at any time. Update your answer to get voted up. – dunxd Jan 20 at 14:15
feedback
up vote 0 down vote

A quick fix would be to "always hide" the icon. right click on the system tray, go to Properties->Customize, then find the 'Safely Remove Hardware' icon and hide. I'm going to try to find a registry hack for you. I think this is the only way around it.

link|improve this answer
feedback
up vote 0 down vote

I recall an issue like this on Dell Latitudes and they eventually came out with a driver patch. Will this only happen while the machine is on Battery, or plugged in too?

Tom

link|improve this answer
Happens whether it is plugged in, on battery, or on a docking station. – Alex Angas Jun 1 '09 at 12:37
feedback
up vote 0 down vote

I admit the change in Registry is best but there is another way...

you do not need to reebot, simply go to Device Manager and for "Network Adapters" invoke "Scan for hardware changes" - then Network card is visible and operational again.

link|improve this answer
feedback

Your Answer

 
or
required, but never shown
discard

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.