Windows Server 2019 and Intel I211 NIC Drivers

I have a Ryzen 5 system that I wanted to install Windows Server 2019 to start experimenting with.  Unfortunately, Intel doesn’t offer Windows Server 2019 drivers for their I211 NIC.  There’s quite a bit of info regarding it, but no easy solutions.

https://blog.workinghardinit.work/2017/06/19/installing-intel-i211-i217v-i218v-i219v-drivers-windows-server-2016-eufi-boot/

That looked like way to much work for me.  As laziness is the mother of invention, I tried an old and true trick.

I downloaded the I218 drivers and extracted them using 7zip.

Next, I went into Device Manager and right-clicked on the NIC and selected Properties.

Clicked the Driver tab, then Update Driver, then Browse my computer for driver software.

The next step is the key, click Let me pick from a list of available drivers on my computer.

Click Have Disk.  I browsed to the extracted files:

%downloads%\PROWinx64\PRO1000\Winx64\NDIS65

I then picked one of the INFs shown, e1r65x64.inf and clicked Open.

This brought up a list of NICs, I picked the I218 and installed the driver.

Everything works, except my I211 is showing up as an I218.

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CPU-Z Ads

It seems the newest version of CPU-Z has some ads in the zip or setup file.  My work firewall blocks the download with the message:  Going to the

“This request is blocked by the SonicWALL Gateway Anti-Virus Service.  Browsefox-6628766-0 (Adware) blocked.”

Going to the version history page brings up some additional download options:  https://www.cpuid.com/softwares/cpu-z.html#version-history

I was able to download the CoolerMaster branded version without any firewall restrictions.

Dell Windows Recovery Images via the web

There are apparently a lot of people that don’t know about this, (or maybe google)?, so here’s a little publicity for Dell.

You can download the Windows recovery image for your Dell computer here:

http://www.dell.com/support/home/us/en/19/Drivers/OSISO

All you need is your service tag…and having purchased your Dell with Windows.

Here’s the full text of the site:

Recovery Image of Microsoft Windows

Download the recovery image

Download a recovery image of Microsoft Windows Operating System customized for your Dell product. Dell customization of the Windows image includes:

• Updated patches that address common issues for Dell systems.
• Dell support information.

The image provided in this download was configured to be bootable from either a DVD or USB.
Note: The recovery image contains the version of Windows that came installed on your computer. If you have upgraded your operating system, you will need to reinstall the upgrade after you have restored your system to the factory settings.

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Identify your Dell PC

To ensure that we provided the correct image available for your Dell PC, provide the Service Tag of the system to which the image will be installed.

Dell’s Hosted Recovery Image is designed to work with Dell systems. It is not designed to be supported on non-Dell PCs.

Dell Wireless TouchPad

I purchased the Dell Wireless Touchpad sometime last year after I moved my primary workstation to Windows 8.  I didn’t really start using it much until lately.

I’ve found it’s a great add-on to the mouse and keyboard when working with Windows 8 on a multi-screen setup.

I mainly use it for the left and right edge sweep to get to the Charms bar or to switch between programs.  I wouldn’t give up my mouse for this, but it’s definitely a value add for only $30.

 

 

 

 

Charms Bar

Dell 7×40, e-port advanced, dual external monitors==blank screen

I recently purchased a new e7440 for an employee and swapped out her old e6410.  She has an e-port+ advanced dock and 2 22″ monitors.  The setup worked great for years.

Shortly after she started using the e7440 the secondary monitor seem to go to sleep. Power cycling it fixed it.  I swapped the monitors around to see if it was the DVI port on the dock or the monitor.  Same behavior.

I swapped out the dock for a standard e-port+, same behavior.

I finally got around to googling to see if it was just this e7440.  Unfortunately, or fortunately, it’s not.

I found this post E7440 Display Problems (http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/laptop/f/3518/t/19532685.aspx)

While the issue in the post was flickering, this fix resolved my issue as well

http://www.dell.com/support/drivers/us/en/19/DriverDetails/Product/latitude-e7440-ultrabook?driverId=1XFPM&osCode=W864&fileId=3330366653&languageCode=en&categoryId=VI

Fixes & Enhancements

Firmware update to fix flickering screen seen on external monitors attached to dock.

NOTE: For E7440/E7240 only, this update applies when using a dock. If your configuration does not include a dock, the update is not for you and will fail to install

keywords: e7740, e7x40, dell, dock, replicator, blank screen, black screen, firmware

New and improved Commodore 64

While I was an Atari foot-soldier in the 8-bit wars, this is still a cool little computer:

http://www.commodoreusa.net/CUSA_C64.aspx

nVidia, the dreamcrusher

Everytime nVidia releases a new version of the video card drivers, I keep up the hope that it will fix the “Display driver NVIDIA Windows Kernel Mode Driver, Version XXX.XX stopped responding and has successfully recovered.”

I was hoping 260.99 would be the one…after all this has only affected every driver release since at least 195.62 which was back in December 2009.  Unfortunately, less than 24 hours after updating my drivers, the first error popped up.  Since this is on my Dell laptop, I’ve got no option for swapping out the video card.

Android 2.2 (Froyo) issues

Well, it seems that there are some issues with Froyo.  After my automatic update it seems that at random times my GMail accounts stop updating (not good since we use Google Apps at my company), I don’t get notifications for voicemails and my text messages don’t appear until after I power-cycle.

I am having flashbacks to my last WinMo phone

Appholes

Microsoft was supposed to be the evil one, but now Apple is busting down doors in Palo Alto while Bill Gates rids the world of mosquitoes.

http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/wed-april-28-2010/appholes

Android 2.1 on Moto Droid

I got my 2.1 update this weekend. Other than the pinch-zoom thing, don’t see too much difference.  Pinch-zoom was already enabled from previous updates on a few apps, but it’s cool to have it in the browser now.