How to remove RealTek Drivers?

**Namie** · August 28th, 2005, 01:31 AM

I had recently changed to a new network card, so I really would like to remove the old RealTek driver I was using.....

Can anyone tell me how I could get rid of RealTek Drivers from my computer?

I believe one of the file is rtl8139.sys (located in Windows\system32\drivers) but whenever I try to delete it, it would just recover again! Is there another backup place preventing me from deleting it?

**Atomic Rooster** · August 28th, 2005, 01:36 AM

Mine Realtek drivers are listed in Add/Remove Programs. Did you have a look in there?

**Namie** · August 28th, 2005, 01:38 AM

Originally Posted by Atomic Rooster

Mine Realtek drivers are listed in Add/Remove Programs. Did you have a look in there?

Yeah... that was one of the first places I checked.

**Underclocked** · August 28th, 2005, 01:56 AM

Some NIC software provides an uninstall bat file that must be ran from a command prompt. Take a look in any program folders for such a file or a readme file that might yield the proper procedure. XP? You might also just right click it in the device manager and uninstall.

**Atomic Rooster** · August 28th, 2005, 02:01 AM

Try this: In Device manager, showing hidden devices, delete/remove/uninstall the RealTek NIC if still listed.

When all else fails, Driver Cleaner should do the trick.

.

**Namie** · August 28th, 2005, 02:07 AM

Originally Posted by Atomic Rooster

Try this: In Device manager, showing hidden devices, delete/remove/uninstall the RealTek NIC if still listed.

When all else fails, [url=http://www.drivercleaner.net/]Driver Cleaner[/ur] should do the trick.

Ohh, it showed up after doing what you said! But... I couldn't uninstall it.

It gave me an error: "Failed to uninstall the device. The device may be required to boot up the computer."

I guess that's why it was hidden?

edit: Ack... disabling it made me lose internet connection.

How can that be... RealTek related with D-Link? My network card is D-Link DFE-530TX+ PCI Adapter. I also noticed on my Microsoft Base Station, it shows that I'm using "Realtek RTL8139 Family PCI Fast Ethernet NIC" as my adapter.

Is it some built-in hardware on my motherboard?

**Atomic Rooster** · August 28th, 2005, 02:27 AM

I just looked up your D-Link NIC. It uses the Realtek RTL8139A chip. LOL!

**Namie** · August 28th, 2005, 02:30 AM

Originally Posted by Atomic Rooster

I just looked up your D-Link NIC. It uses the Realtek RTL8139A chip. LOL!

Are you serious?!

Well ok, I feel better knowing it's part of the card now. I thought it was a totally different driver that would conflict with the card. Thanks for looking it up.

**Atomic Rooster** · August 28th, 2005, 02:41 AM

Yea, when you said you lost connection when you disabled the Realtek RTL8139, it got me to thinking. Quite a few manufacturers use Realtek chips in their NICs so I looked yours up.

I'm glad to have helped.

**pickel** · August 28th, 2005, 01:17 PM

Just get the latest drivers and they'll overwrite the old ones.XP installs these drivers on my Dlink card and it works great.

**Seeria** · January 3rd, 2009, 08:28 AM

I've the same bleepy thing but I can't uninstall it. Windows update put it on my computer. I disabled the onboard net but it keeps enabling it. Uninstall from device manager doesn't work. How the heck do I get rid of this monster?