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Windows IP Configuration
An internal error occurred: A device attached to the system is not functioning.
Please contact Microsoft Product Support Services for further help.
Additional information: Unknown media status code.
This issue is known to affect at least some Intel wired network adapters with Windows XP drivers dated 2006 and later. For example, disconnected Intel PRO/1000 MT Mobile wired network adapter in a ThinkPad T41, driver e1000325.sys:
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VERSION DATE SOURCE RESULT
6.4.16.36 (06/13/2003) Original Windows XP driver Cable Unplugged
7.2.17.101 (10/26/2004) Lenovo Software Installer Cable Unplugged
8.7.1.0 (04/27/2006) Microsoft/Windows Update Auto Disable
8.7.9.0 (10/24/2006) Lenovo T41 driver download Auto Disable
My hypothesis is that this problem was introduced by Intel in Version 8 of its drivers, probably as a well-intended minor improvement that fell prey to the Law of Unintended Consequences.
Fix:
- Use Windows XP Driver Roll Back or Uninstall/reboot/reinstall to go back to the original Windows XP driver, or otherwise install an older driver that doesn't exhibit this problem.
- Hide any updated driver in Microsoft/Windows Update to prevent unintentionally recreating this problem in the future. Likewise avoid recent driver updates from Lenovo.
- (Verified)
- Click Start > Control Panel > Network Connections, and for any wired network adapters that are Disabled:
- Right-click on My Computer, and click Manage to start Device Manager
- Disable wired Network Adapters that are disabled in Network Connections
- Run IPCONFIG as desired
- Re-Enable wired network adapters in Device Manager
- (Verified)
- Click Start > Control Panel > Administrative Tools
- Double-click Services
- Scroll down to Routing and Remote Access
- If Routing and Remote Access is Disabled, change it to Manual
- Start Routing and Remote Access, or Stop and Re-Start it if it's already running
- (Not verified)
- Uninstall Access Connections, Keyboard Customizer, Wi-Fi drivers, and Ethernet drivers
- Reinstall in this order Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Keyboard Customizer, Access Connections
- Turning off driver Power Management doesn't help.
- ThinkVantage Access Connections isn't installed, so wouldn't seem to have any bearing on the problem.
- The problem occurs whether or not the Intel PROSet for Windows Device Manager is installed.
- There is no apparent option for turning off this auto Disable in Intel Version 8 drivers.