The Qualcomm Atheros AR8151 PCI-E Gigabit Ethernet Controller (NDIS 630) is a network interface card (NIC) used to enable wired Ethernet connections on a computer. It is commonly found in desktops and laptops for stable, high-speed Internet access over a wired connection. The "NDIS 630" refers to the version of the Network Driver Interface Specification (NDIS) used in Windows for networking. Installing the correct driver for this device ensures it functions properly and can connect to local networks at Gigabit speeds (1,000 Mbps).

1. Identifying the Driver

• Driver Purpose: The driver allows Windows to communicate with the Ethernet controller hardware, enabling network connectivity.
• The driver version is associated with NDIS 630, which is compatible with several versions of Windows, typically from Windows 7 to Windows 10.

2. How to Install the Driver

Option 1: Using Windows Device Manager

If your computer has not automatically installed the driver, you can do it manually through Device Manager:

1. Open Device Manager:

   • Press Win + X and select Device Manager from the menu, or search for Device Manager in the Start menu.

2. Locate the Network Adapter:

   • Expand the Network adapters section.
   • Look for Qualcomm Atheros AR8151 PCI-E Gigabit Ethernet Controller. If you see a yellow exclamation mark next to it, the driver is missing or not working properly.

3. Update the Driver:

   • Right-click on the Qualcomm Atheros AR8151 PCI-E Gigabit Ethernet Controller and select Update driver.
   • Choose Search automatically for updated driver software. Windows will attempt to find and install the latest driver from the Windows Update repository.

4. Restart:

   • After installation, restart your computer to complete the driver setup.

Option 2: Manually Download and Install the Driver

If Device Manager fails to find the right driver, you can manually download it from the Qualcomm or your computer's manufacturer support site.

1. Download the Driver:

   • Go to the Qualcomm Atheros or Broadcom (Qualcomm owns Atheros) support website, or check the support page of your laptop or desktop manufacturer (e.g., Dell, HP, Lenovo).
   • Look for the AR8151 Ethernet controller driver for your version of Windows (32-bit or 64-bit).

   Example link for Qualcomm drivers:
   Qualcomm Atheros AR8151 Drivers

2. Install the Driver:

   • After downloading the driver package, run the installer (usually an .exe file).
   • Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.

3. Restart Your Computer:

   • After the installation is complete, restart your computer to ensure that the new driver is properly installed and functional.

Option 3: Using Windows Update

Windows may automatically detect and install the driver via Windows Update:

1. Open Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update.
2. Click on Check for updates. If there are any network adapter driver updates available, they will be downloaded and installed automatically.

Option 4: Use Driver Update Tools

If you're unsure about downloading the correct driver manually, third-party tools like Driver Booster or Driver Easy can automatically scan your system and install the necessary drivers for you, including for network adapters.

3. Troubleshooting

If you're still experiencing issues after installing the driver:

• Uninstall and Reinstall the Driver:

  • In Device Manager, right-click on the Qualcomm Atheros AR8151 and select Uninstall device.
  • Restart your PC. Windows should automatically reinstall the driver upon reboot.

• Check for Conflicting Devices: If you have other network adapters installed (e.g., Wi-Fi cards), conflicts can sometimes occur. Disable or uninstall other network adapters temporarily to see if it resolves the issue.

• Check the Ethernet Cable and Router: Sometimes the issue is with the physical connection rather than the driver. Try using a different Ethernet cable or port on your router to rule out connection problems.

• Compatibility Check: Ensure that the driver version you downloaded matches the version of Windows you're running (e.g., 32-bit or 64-bit).

4. Additional Notes

• If your system is running a newer version of Windows (e.g., Windows 11), ensure that you have the latest updates installed as Windows Update often includes drivers for network hardware.
• Driver Versions:

By following these steps, you should be able to install the Qualcomm Atheros AR8151 PCI-E Gigabit Ethernet Controller driver and restore full network functionality on your computer.