I swear my Ethernet stopped working after installing an ssd

[MattyDee87]

I know it sounds crazy but I can’t figure out why… installed ssd on available m.2 on msi pro b660a-m cec Wi-Fi ddr4 MB. Turn pc on and no Ethernet, never had issue before. Status says ‘identifying’ but never connects and eventually will say it’s just unplugged. Lights up orange and green when it’s plugged in, though. I’ve updated drivers, double checked onboard LAN enabled, uninstalled and reinstalled network adapter, ran SFC and DISM scan to no avail. Event logs for Realtek 8125BG LAN controller start with id 442 saying settings not migrated from previous OS installation, followed by 400 saying it was configured. ID 411 happens directly after saying it had a problem starting. Not often same file, just various .inf files. System event logs at same time say dam and WinSetupMon drivers did not load. Another system message at same time from DistributedCOM reads ‘the application-specific permission settings do not grant Local Activation permission for the COM server application with CLSID. I don’t know if motherboard has some strange PCLe lane allocation, resource contention, or power supply issue but I swear there’s some sort of device interference or something going on. I don’t want to remove ssd to confirm though as it was bit tedious on my setup and doesn’t actually matter either way as I need the space and can’t put elsewhere. I gotta usb ethernet adapter as a work around but would prefer to use what’s already with the pc. I am genuinely at a loss as to what the issue is and thanks in advance for any help…

 

[Colddecked]

Sounds like you've done everything to troubleshoot, except take out the ssd. Instead of taking it out, can you disable the m2 drive or slot in bios to see if that helps?

 

[kilo]

Stop "wlan Autoconfig" service in services.msc. See if ethernet turns on once it's stopped.

 

[Carlyle2020hs]

Before removing the ssd i would go into bios and turn the lan/wlan off.
Restart and turn in on again to let bios (hopefully) change the allocation.

 

[Bill_Bright]

Did you triple check to make sure you didn't knock any other cables around?

Did you practice good ESD prevention methods when installing your SSD? That is, did you unplug the computer from the wall and touch bare metal of the case interior to discharge any static buildup in your body BEFORE reaching in or touching the SSD or any other device?

Note that Ethernet cables are extremely low-tech, very fragile, but critical network devices. Try a different cable. And while trying a different cable, plug it into a different Ethernet port on your router/switch - they can go bad too.

 

[1freedude]

I had that happen on an x58 board. Windows absolutely would not allow it to operate. I use Mint on the same machine, but on different drive that is not connected while Windows is running, and vice versa. The Mint config allowed the use of the RJ45 port. I havent put the Windows drive back into service since.

While it was acting up, I used a USB - RJ45 adapter, worked fine.

Doesnt help, but I can relate to your frustration. I think there is a thread about it in the somewhat recent past.

 

[ThrashZone]

Hi,
I don't see the connection between the 2 besides failed "os migration" process
I'd restore a system image to the new device or use clonezilla to clone it and shutdown as soon as completed and remove the old install device.

Migration software sux don't use it lol

 

[mechtech]

" installed ssd on available m.2 on msi pro b660a-m cec Wi-Fi ddr4 MB. Turn pc on and no Ethernet,"

Check mobo block diagram layout in manual - m.2 port may possibly share lanes with wifi port. (hope not)

 

[LabRat 891]

I know it sounds crazy but I can’t figure out why… installed ssd on available m.2 on msi pro b660a-m cec Wi-Fi ddr4 MB. Turn pc on and no Ethernet, never had issue before. Status says ‘identifying’ but never connects and eventually will say it’s just unplugged. Lights up orange and green when it’s plugged in, though. I’ve updated drivers, double checked onboard LAN enabled, uninstalled and reinstalled network adapter, ran SFC and DISM scan to no avail. Event logs for Realtek 8125BG LAN controller start with id 442 saying settings not migrated from previous OS installation, followed by 400 saying it was configured. ID 411 happens directly after saying it had a problem starting. Not often same file, just various .inf files. System event logs at same time say dam and WinSetupMon drivers did not load. Another system message at same time from DistributedCOM reads ‘the application-specific permission settings do not grant Local Activation permission for the COM server application with CLSID. I don’t know if motherboard has some strange PCLe lane allocation, resource contention, or power supply issue but I swear there’s some sort of device interference or something going on. I don’t want to remove ssd to confirm though as it was bit tedious on my setup and doesn’t actually matter either way as I need the space and can’t put elsewhere. I gotta usb ethernet adapter as a work around but would prefer to use what’s already with the pc. I am genuinely at a loss as to what the issue is and thanks in advance for any help…

While my first inkling is electrical noise / stress on the PCIe 'messing with' the 2.5G iNIC...

Have you tried cleanly removing the NIC from Windows, uninstalling the driver

just make sure you check for and remove any 'hidden device' NICs.

How to Remove Hidden/Ghost Network Adapters in Windows | Windows OS Hub

When replacing a motherboard or a network card, during a P2V or cold migration of virtual machines between hypervisors, or when configuring multiple VLANs on a single NIC in Windows,…

woshub.com

Then, install the latest RTL-sourced driver package

Realtek PCIe FE / GBE / 2.5G / 5G Ethernet Family Controller Software - REALTEK

www.realtek.com

Have had similar issues on an old Windows 7 3rd gen i5 build, years ago.
Had to completely remove the software, entries, and drivers for the NIC, then manually installed the latest-available drive pkg
(straight from the NIC's chipset's manufacturer.)