ASRock 970 Extreme4 LAN Driver 6247 for Windows Vista

This article provides information regarding the ASRock 970 Extreme4 LAN Driver 6247, specifically designed for the Windows Vista operating system. It covers the driver’s purpose, its technical details, and instructions for obtaining and installing it. Understanding the role of LAN drivers and ensuring you have the correct version is crucial for optimal network connectivity and performance on your ASRock 970 Extreme4 motherboard.

Understanding LAN Drivers

A LAN (Local Area Network) driver is a piece of software that enables your computer’s network interface card (NIC) to communicate with the operating system and the network. Without the correct LAN driver, your computer will be unable to connect to the internet or any other devices on your local network. The LAN driver acts as a translator between the hardware and the software, allowing data to be sent and received seamlessly.

For the ASRock 970 Extreme4 motherboard, the LAN driver is particularly important as it allows users to utilize the built-in network capabilities of the board. Ensuring you have the correct and up-to-date driver is essential for stable and efficient network performance.

The ASRock 970 Extreme4 Motherboard

The ASRock 970 Extreme4 is a motherboard designed for AMD processors. It features various expansion slots, including PCI-Express slots for graphics cards, and supports multiple RAM modules. Integrated onto the motherboard is a LAN controller, typically a Realtek chip, which manages the network connection. The ASRock 970 Extreme4 LAN Driver 6247 is specifically tailored for this integrated LAN controller.

ASRock 970 Extreme4 LAN Driver 6247: Details and Specifications

The ASRock 970 Extreme4 LAN Driver 6247 is a specific version of the Realtek LAN driver intended for use with the ASRock 970 Extreme4 motherboard running Windows Vista. While the provided information is limited, we can infer certain details based on the filename and context.

• Filename: Realtek_Vista64_Vista(6247).zip
• Operating System: Windows Vista (both 32-bit and 64-bit versions, as indicated by "Vista64" and "Vista" in the filename, though confirmation would be needed for the 32-bit version).
• Driver Version: 6247 (this likely corresponds to a specific revision or build of the Realtek driver).
• Release Date: The provided information indicates a last updated date of June 10, 2012. This suggests the driver was released or updated around that time.

Given the age of the driver (released in 2012), it’s crucial to understand its compatibility with newer operating systems. While designed for Windows Vista, it may or may not function correctly on later versions of Windows. Always check compatibility information before attempting to install older drivers on newer systems.

Obtaining the ASRock 970 Extreme4 LAN Driver 6247

The original article does not provide a direct download link but references a filename: Realtek_Vista64_Vista(6247).zip. Searching online using this filename should lead to various websites hosting the driver. However, it’s crucial to exercise caution when downloading files from the internet. Only download from reputable sources to avoid malware or other harmful software.

Original Download Link (as mentioned in the original article):

Alternative Download Link:

While a direct, guaranteed-safe link is difficult to provide without knowing the specific website hosting the file, a search on a reputable driver download site like DriverGuide or Softpedia, using the filename "Realtek_Vista64_Vista(6247).zip" or "ASRock 970 Extreme4 LAN Driver 6247" should yield potential download sources. Remember to verify the source and scan the downloaded file with an antivirus program before execution. You can also check ASRock’s official website for legacy drivers, although given the age of the motherboard and operating system, it may not be readily available.

Important Note: When searching for drivers, it’s always best to start with the motherboard manufacturer’s website (ASRock in this case). However, for older hardware and operating systems, the drivers may no longer be available directly from the manufacturer.

Installing the ASRock 970 Extreme4 LAN Driver 6247

Once you have downloaded the driver file (Realtek_Vista64_Vista(6247).zip), follow these steps to install it:

1. Extract the Files: The downloaded file is a ZIP archive. You will need to extract the contents of the ZIP file to a folder on your computer. You can use built-in Windows tools or a third-party archiving program like 7-Zip or WinRAR.
2. Locate the Driver Installation File: Within the extracted folder, look for a file named "setup.exe" or a similar executable file. This is the installer program for the driver.
3. Run the Installer: Double-click the "setup.exe" file to run the installer. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation process. You may need to accept a license agreement and choose an installation location.
4. Restart Your Computer: After the installation is complete, you will likely be prompted to restart your computer. This is necessary for the changes to take effect.

Alternative Installation Method (Manual Installation):

If the "setup.exe" file does not work, or if you prefer a manual installation method, you can use the Device Manager in Windows Vista.

1. Open Device Manager: Click the Start button, type "Device Manager" in the search box, and press Enter.
2. Locate the Network Adapter: In Device Manager, expand the "Network adapters" category. You should see an entry for your network adapter, likely with a yellow exclamation mark indicating that the driver is not installed or is malfunctioning.
3. Update Driver Software: Right-click on the network adapter and select "Update Driver Software."
4. Browse My Computer: Choose "Browse my computer for driver software."
5. Specify the Driver Location: Click "Browse" and navigate to the folder where you extracted the driver files. Make sure the "Include subfolders" option is checked.
6. Install the Driver: Click "Next" to install the driver. Windows will search the specified folder for the driver files and install them.
7. Restart Your Computer: After the installation is complete, restart your computer.

Troubleshooting

If you encounter problems during or after the installation of the ASRock 970 Extreme4 LAN Driver 6247, consider the following troubleshooting steps:

• Verify Compatibility: Ensure that the driver is indeed compatible with your version of Windows Vista. If you are using a 32-bit version of Vista, make sure you are installing the 32-bit driver. Similarly, if you are using a 64-bit version, use the 64-bit driver.
• Run as Administrator: Try running the installer or Device Manager as an administrator. Right-click on the file or application and select "Run as administrator."
• Disable Antivirus Software: Temporarily disable your antivirus software during the installation process. Sometimes, antivirus software can interfere with driver installations.
• Check Device Manager for Errors: If the driver installation fails, check Device Manager for error messages. The error message may provide clues as to the cause of the problem.
• Roll Back the Driver: If the driver installation is successful but you experience problems with your network connection, you can try rolling back the driver to a previous version. In Device Manager, right-click on the network adapter, select "Properties," go to the "Driver" tab, and click "Roll Back Driver."
• Clean Boot: Perform a clean boot of Windows to eliminate software conflicts.

Conclusion

The ASRock 970 Extreme4 LAN Driver 6247 is a crucial component for enabling network connectivity on ASRock 970 Extreme4 motherboards running Windows Vista. While the driver is relatively old, understanding its purpose and how to obtain and install it remains important for users still utilizing this hardware and operating system combination. Always prioritize downloading drivers from reputable sources and follow the installation instructions carefully to ensure a stable and functional network connection. Remember to verify compatibility before installing any drivers, especially older ones, on your system. This guide provides a comprehensive overview to help users manage their ASRock 970 Extreme4 LAN Driver 6247 needs.