Z170 Pro4 Windows 8 64bit Drivers causing crash

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   I actually prefer the earlier Intel 20.2 network driver for Windows 8/8.1, and particularly for Windows 10. Windows 10 created some problems with the Intel network driver, and they removed some features in the network driver in later versions (20.3, 20.4) which I don't like. That may not affect Win 8, but who knows?

Did you notice when you run the Intel driver installation program, that at one point there is a tree structured diagram that lists several features, with check boxes next to the features?

One of those features is Windows Power Shell, the farthest one down in the list that is checked by default. If that feature is left checked, I found the number of things that can be configured in the Device Manager entry for the Intel network chip is noticeably reduced. 

That is apparently done so the features can be configured using the Windows Power Shell command line commands. That may be better for pro network administrators, but IMO is not good for the typical PC user, including myself. I suggest unchecking that option unless you are a pro at configuring all the obscure options.

Do you happen to be using the XFast LAN software? In the past that was software you could download from your board's download pages, but now it is available only via APP Shop. If you are using it, that may be causing your BSOD problem for some reason. Try removing it to test if that stops your problem.

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parsec Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Moderator Group Joined: 04 May 2015 Location: USA Status: Offline Points: 4996	Post Options Post Reply Quote parsec Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Z170 Pro4 Windows 8 64bit Drivers causing crash Posted: 10 Nov 2015 at 11:54am
	I actually prefer the earlier Intel 20.2 network driver for Windows 8/8.1, and particularly for Windows 10. Windows 10 created some problems with the Intel network driver, and they removed some features in the network driver in later versions (20.3, 20.4) which I don't like. That may not affect Win 8, but who knows? Did you notice when you run the Intel driver installation program, that at one point there is a tree structured diagram that lists several features, with check boxes next to the features? One of those features is Windows Power Shell, the farthest one down in the list that is checked by default. If that feature is left checked, I found the number of things that can be configured in the Device Manager entry for the Intel network chip is noticeably reduced. That is apparently done so the features can be configured using the Windows Power Shell command line commands. That may be better for pro network administrators, but IMO is not good for the typical PC user, including myself. I suggest unchecking that option unless you are a pro at configuring all the obscure options. Do you happen to be using the XFast LAN software? In the past that was software you could download from your board's download pages, but now it is available only via APP Shop. If you are using it, that may be causing your BSOD problem for some reason. Try removing it to test if that stops your problem.


Lycius84 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 07 Nov 2015 Status: Offline Points: 9	Post Options Post Reply Quote Lycius84 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 10 Nov 2015 at 6:40am
	Update. So I installed the drivers from the site and the issue persists. I've been doing some other troubleshooting (specifically with the RAM) to make sure it's not the Lan drivers. I'm running a memtest to see if it detects any ram errors.

Lycius84 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 07 Nov 2015 Status: Offline Points: 9	Post Options Post Reply Quote Lycius84 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 07 Nov 2015 at 4:39am
	Thank you Xaltar. I will give this a try and give an update.

Xaltar Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Moderator Group Joined: 16 May 2015 Location: Europe Status: Online Points: 24623	Post Options Post Reply Quote Xaltar Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 07 Nov 2015 at 3:56am
	You can try uninstall the drivers then install the ones directly from intel and see if they work. So far as I am aware though they should be exactly the same. Just click the embedded link and it will take you to the intel download page for your LAN.

Lycius84 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 07 Nov 2015 Status: Offline Points: 9	Post Options Post Reply Quote Lycius84 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 07 Nov 2015 at 1:28am
	Hi all, I'm hoping someone can help. I recently purchased the Z170 Pro4 motherboard and went through installing Windows 8 Pro 64 bit. I've tried using the Windows 8 LAN drivers on the site which Windows 8 accepts but when the PC connects to the internet it gives me a BSOD screen after a few minutes (less than 5 minutes). If I unplug the LAN cord to not allow Windows 8 to connect to the internet I can run the computer for hours without issues (other than not being able to update the PC so that can install WIndows 10). Can someone please assist?