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Starting with software release 8.4, our 10/100 adapter family has been split into two groups, each with its own Windows INF file. The two groups are those that carry a current Microsoft* WHQL certification, and those that do not. Both groups use the same base drivers--only the INF's are different.
The adapters that do not carry a current Microsoft WHQL certification are obsolete products that can not pass the new WHQL tests. The technology on which they are based is out of date and can not meet the current standards required by Microsoft.
Microsoft enforces a policy requiring that products that do not meet current WHQL standards cannot be included in a certified INF, even if the other products in the INF using the same base driver meet those standards.
When installing adapters that are included in the uncertified INF, you will be presented with a Windows warning message that the adapter does not include a Microsoft digital signature (assuming the OS is not configured to ignore the signature).
In general, the adapters that are not included in the certified INF are those based on the 82557 controller, introduced in 1995, and the 82558 controller, introduced in 1997. Adapters based on the 82559 controller, introduced in 1999, and forward are included in the certified INF. The PRO/100+ Dual Port Server Adapter (PILA8472), even though based on 82558 LAN controllers, is in the certified group.
The last release to include a Microsoft digital signature file for these obsolete Intel® 10/100 PCI adapters was release 8.3.01. This release will remain available in Download Finder for those needing a Microsoft digital signature file for their older adapters.
The branded retail Intel 10/100 adapters included in the uncertified INF are listed below:
Adapters No Longer Meeting Certification Requirements
- Intel® PRO/100B (all models)
- Intel® PRO/10+ PCI (all models)
- Intel® PRO/100+ Management Adapter models PILA8900 (PBA# 691334-xxx) and PILA8461 (PBA# 701738-xxx) but not PILA8460B (PBA# 721383-xxx).
- Intel® PRO/100+ PCI Adapter models PILA8460 (PBA# 668081-xxx, 689661-xxx and 722762-xxx) but not PILA8460BN (PBA# 741462-xxx).
- Intel® PRO/100+ Server Adapter model PILA8470 (PBA# 710550-xxx) but not PILA8470B (PBA# 729757-xxx).
- LAN on Motherboard designs utilizing an 82557 or 82558 LAN controller.
Note: If applying the driver set to a computer with a mix of certified and uncertified Intel 10/100 adapters, you will typically see a Device Manager status of code 10 on some of the adapters until you either stop and restart the adapter drivers, or reboot the computer.
Q1. What if my network has a mix of certified and uncertified 10/100 adapters?
A1. The drivers are tested on both the certified and uncertified adapters. You should be able to update drivers across your enterprise without issue. Of course, the adapters falling into the uncertified group will trigger a digital signature warning.
Q2. The last release had drivers that were certified for my adapter. In the new release my adapter is in the uncertified group. Should I update my drivers?
A2. If you are having an issue that you think the new drivers may correct, or the new release has a feature you want, then you should update. If you are not having any issues with your adapter and do not need any of the features of the new release, then there is no compelling reason to update. See "What's new in the latest release?" for a description of the new features and improvements.
Q3. If I am performing RIS installs or unattended installs utilizing the older uncertified adapters, won't that lack of a digital signature cause problems?
A3. If you are using an automated install process, then you will need to either configure your installation files to ignore the digital signature, or use the older certified driver set. This driver set is still available on Download Finder. Download either PL2KXP for certified legacy 10/100 support and PROSet, or PL2KXPM for certified base drivers only.
Operating System:
| Windows* 2000, Windows* XP Professional, Windows* XP Home Edition, Windows Server* 2003, Windows* XP Media Center Edition, Windows* 2000 Server, Windows* 2000 Advanced Server, Windows Server* 2003 Standard Edition |
This applies to:
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