Problems with HP Network Configuration Utility

[Melanie Sang]

We have updated the HP Network Configuration Utility to Version 8.20.0.0, and are running
HP NC10xx/67xx/77xx/150xx/320x/324x/325x/326x Gigabit Ethernet NIC Driver for Windows 2000, Version 7.80.0.0. We are getting the following error:

(DEBUG:)The version of the miniport driver(s) for the following adapters are not compatible with the HP Network Configuration Utility software installed. Please install a newer version of the driver(s) for each adapter listed. The driver name, current version, and minimum required version are shown for each adapter:
[2] HP NC7781 Gigabit Server Adapter #2 Port 1 Slot 0 Bus 1 (Q57W2K.SYS: 8.39.1.0 < 8.48.0.0)
[1] HP NC7781 Gigabit Server Adapter Port 2 Slot 0 Bus 4 (Q57W2K.SYS: 8.39.1.0 < 8.48.0.0)

Do we have to update the network drivers to version 8.48.0.0? This is only happening on our Windows 2000 SP4 Servers

[tmagee]

I get a similar message when I'm building a new server (w2k sp4) and I've added an additional network card after I've run the Proliant support pack.

Re-installing the PSP (selecting just to update the relevant nic driver if preferred) will then allow the network config utility to run ok. This utility is part of the psp.

[Melanie Sang]

Does that mean that you have to install the NIC Drivers with the network configuration utility at the same time on a Windows 2000 SP4 server?

[tmagee]

I can't speak for what the 'official recommended' method is, but for new server builds and updating existing ones, I run the PSP install, choosing the "don't overwrite newer versions" option. There's the options of which drivers to install and it will install the network driver and network config utility together

I can't say why the network config utility needs newer network drivers but I try it out on a spare server first in case it gives issues.

I did get a blue screen error using an earlier psp (6.4) when a gigabit card NC61xx driver n1000nt5.sys was at release 28/5/2001 but hasn't occured for further updates, but worth checking such things on a spare if possible

[Rob Buxton]

The recommended practise is to install entire PSP's. This means the items should work together.
PSP 7.40 is the latest and that came with version 8.39.1.0 of the NIC Driver and 8.20 of the Utility. 7.80 of the NIC Driver is quite old compared to the Utility.
I'd certainly recommend installing the entire PSP 7.40 before trying to upgrade the Utility to 8.20.

[Melanie Sang]

Thanks for the input, looks like the NIC drivers have to be installed on Windows 2000 Servers