Cannot find driver for ethernet controller SABERTOOTH Z97 MARK 2 Server 2012 R2

[BAD311]

Hey all,

I've been searching high and low for a driver that will work on my Server 2012 R2 build running an Asus SABERTOOTH Z97 MARK 2 motherboard.

When pulling the model # for the hardware ID under device manager in Windows, I get the following:
PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_15A1&SUBSYS_85C41043&REV_00
PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_15A1&SUBSYS_85C41043
PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_15A1&CC_020000
PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_15A1&CC_0200

I've downloaded the Win 7 and Win 8 drivers from the Asus website and the app says the software is not compatible with Server 2012 R2. I tried downloading the drivers from Intel website and when I try to install, Windows cannot find the driver it needs when browsing to the specific folder.

Thoughts? Tips? Suggestions? Everything else installed fine and is stable. I cannot use a USB to Ethernet adapter forever, lol.

 

[Dahak]

You should be able to point to the 8.1 install folder for it, and it should work.

But if not here is the latest install cd for all intel nic drivers. I look and it does indeed have the Server 2012 R2 drivers for that nic card (intel I218-v)

https://downloadcenter.intel.com/download/22283/Intel-Ethernet-Connections-CD

 

[fleshconsumed]

Intel restricts drivers for "consumer" level NICs. Consumer grade NICs will only work in Consumer Grade OS, intel won't provide drivers for Windows Server. The distinction is completely artificial, most likely it's intel's way of trying to get you to buy more expensive hardware if you want to run a server.

It's possible to make those work on Windows Server, but it involves modifying inf files and disabling driver integrity checks/signing during install.

http://www.ivobeerens.nl/2013/06/24/enable-the-intel-i217-v-nic-in-windows-server-2012/
http://atsoftware.de/2014/08/install-intel-i218-v-nic-driver-for-windows-server-2012/

 

[Berryracer]

Use this, it will find any missing driver and is free and reliable:

http://www.ma-config.com/en

 

[BAD311]

Everyone, thanks for the info! I tried Ma-config to no avail. It recommended the same drivers I've already downloaded.

I'll need to read up on fleshconsumed's post and see what I can do. I may have to just install a PCI gigabit card, but I'd really like to use on the onboard I hate having something not work, argh!!

 

[fleshconsumed]

FYI I do have I217-v working on my Server 2012 R2. I did have to change the INF file to add "support" for missing OS and disable signing, but it works. As I said, Intel just wants people to buy more expensive server grade hardware to run on the Windows Server. Win8.1 drivers work perfectly fine in Server2012, Intel just decided not to include Server2012 in the INF file so Server2012 thinks these drivers won't work. But they do work if you follow the guides above.

So you have two choices, tweak the drivers by adding missing values to the inf file and disabling checks during install. This way works, I've done it myself. Or if that's too much trouble or if you can't do it yourself, then you can just buy one of the Intel server grade PCIe cards on ebay for ~$40.

 

[Ketchup]

Had similar issues when installing drivers on Server 2008. Dahak's first suggestion will probably work.

 

[BAD311]

I followed fleshconsumed's links and neither worked.

http://www.ivobeerens.nl/2013/06/24/...s-server-2012/
http://atsoftware.de/2014/08/install...s-server-2012/

I'm restarting server to see if it may resolve.

Running autorun.exe acts like it's installing drivers but then displays:

Cannot install drivers. No Intel(R) Adapters are present in this computer.

:-(

This is using the Asus Sabertooth drivers from Asus website.

I'll try Intel drivers from Intel next.

 

[Ketchup]

Don't use the installers. They won't work. Extract the files, then direct the network adapter through device manager to where the drivers are located.

 

[Micrornd]

BAD311 -

You may be modding the wrong inf.
Download the Intel® Ethernet Connections CD 20.0.

https://downloadcenter.intel.com/download/22283/Intel-Ethernet-Connections-CD

Extract them to a folder.
In the extracted folder you are looking for PRO1000\Winx64\NDIS64\e1d64x64.inf

That is the file to modify.
From the [Intel.NTamd64.6.3.1] section, copy the 2 entire "%E15A1NC.DeviceDesc%" lines to section [Intel.NTamd64.6.3] and save.

Go back to the root of the extracted folder and run "Autorun.exe".
That should do it.
+++++++++++++++++++++++
For those interested -

The reason 2012 R2 did not install a default driver for him is that his Ethernet controller was released after 2012 R2.

2012 R2 uses it's Intel supplied "net1ix64.inf" to install a default driver that includes almost all Ethernet controllers that were available when 2012 R2 was released.
The version # of the driver is 12.6.47.1

Fact is Intel has released very few Ethernet controllers drivers for 2012 R2 beyond that, except for controllers that did not exist at release date or newer controllers that have seen driver improvements in speed or features.

Don't expect older controllers to be included in future Intel driver packages for 2012 R2, as the default Ethernet driver in 2012 R2 is considered fully optimized for the older ones.

 

[BAD311]

Thank you everyone!!!

I didn't manually try to install the PRO1000\Winx64\NDIS64\e1d64x64.inf driver... I only tried the PRO1000\Winx64\NDIS63\e1d64x64.inf it seems! I just tried the NDIS64 driver and it worked!!! We're good to go, thank you everyone! Flesh and Ketchup you two were the biggest help!