Portege 3940ct OS upgrade to XPSP2-Driver Issues Disabling Lan Function

Question

I have canvassed all the threads on this forum (and others), and have not found a solution to my problem. But, its obvious that the main thinkers on Toshiba laptop configuration problems are here. So, if there is a solution to my problem, my best shot is in this forum.
I am fairly advanced in the troubleshooting on this and the only thing that makes me think that there is a solution is that it seems that others have successfully installed XP on this unit.
I have a 3940ct; I upgraded from W2kPro to XPSP2;
I have downloaded and installed all bios, drivers and toshiba utils for the unit from the Toshiba website.
I have confirmed that all system components are operational.They include a pcmcia cdrom, a network port replicator
Everything is beautiful. . . . EXCEPT:
I have no network function.
Indeed, I essentially have no internet communications function whatsoever--even through the modem. [The modem dials and as soon as the isp provider sends a communications handshake, WXP will not recognize it and disconnects]. (I have not tried to fax a document-- but I do not think that function is relevant to the problem).
Indeed, no matter what type of network connection device I try to install on the unit, the device driver will not install. This includes pcmcia network cards (10/100 based and wireless a-g,)and usb based wireless a-g adaptors.
Initially, after WXP was installed, I found that I could not get a Lan connection through network port replicator.
At power on, b/f WXP loads, the port replicator network connection LEDs indicate a connection. Once WXP loads, the port is disabled. [All other functions on the port replicator are operational under WXP].
Once logged on to WXP, WXP discovers "new hardware" and proceeds through the driver install proceess. It then proceeds to attempt to install an "unknown device". Ithen reports thatit can't locate a driver and then prompts for the user to finish the add hardware routine.
Device Manager reports several devices with yellow caution flags indicating the device driver could not be installed.
A look at the details tab on the "unknown device" (its under the "network device" tab) shows that the driver that is having a problem is "rasirda.sys". Device Manager will not permit the device to be uninstalled.
Other devices that have the yellow flag are:
1. Toshiba FIR Port Type-D0
2. IrDA Protocol (hidden device)
3. TCPIP (hidden device)
and any network adapter I try to install.
Device driver installations for network adapters, including the port replicator network controller (Intel 8255x based pci Ethernet Adapter (10/100), and its sister driver), will not install (and will not uninstall until the device is removed).
A look at the Administrator's System "Services" window indicates that essentially all the services necessary to support network/internetrleated services are disabled. The dependencies show that the all of these services are dependent, directly or indirectly, on "services.exe". That service will not execute and, when the service is forced to start, WXP reports that the service.exe does not initiate the indicated program.
Under "System Information", a look at the "network" tab indicates that there is a network adapter called "RAS Async Adapter" that is disabled.
My first approach to this problem was to reinstall the Toshiba driver update for the Toshiba FIR controller. To no avail.
The next thought was to simply disable the FIR function, but that can't be done at the bios level.... and well, as ambitious as I am, I did not want to venture into the machine to determine if the IR controller could be disconnected/removed from the system board......[But if that is a potential solution, then I will go there...]
As noted above, the only reason I have any hope is that it seems that others have successfully implemented XP on the 3xxx series porteges, all of which, to my knowledge have this same IR port. Also, Toshiba even wrote an XP driver for the device.
What I find puzzling, amoung other things, is that Device Manager reports the Rasirda.sys device under the network adapter tab. I would have thought this would have been reported under the "non plug and play" or "system device" tabs. Be that as it may, it would appear that Toshiba implemented the IR device as a network adaptor, or at least that is how WXP is recognizing it.
I have searched the internet, been on the Toshiba website, the microsoft XP webpages, knowledge bases, etc., and have not encountered any notable solutions per se..though I have benefitted from certain of the troubleshooting protocols--not my true ambition.
Bottom line is I need to have this computer connected to the internet. With all the protocols and services supporting internet communications disabled, even through the modem, ....well, its ridiculous. I can't even register WXP!! How absurd is that! Well its getting late.
Hopefully, someone will have a solution/workaround that will resolve this.
In the interim, I think the next step is to start over and reinstall XP and try . . . again.
I would appreciate any assistance anyone can muster.

Answer 1

What is odd is that Toshiba has written some XP drivers for the hardware in this unit and it is posted at www.pcsupport.toshiba.com. [file name is: p349irxp.exe] .
Also, just canvass this board and there are any number of 3xxx owners who have seemingly installed XP successfully--with one glitch or another (no pcmcia cd-rom) looking for relatively basic work arounds. In fact, my XP install works great except for the fact that virtually none of the drivers necessary to access the WWW will install, hardware or software.
I do appreciate the point you make re upgrading older equipment. I should have known better....eh?
Thanks for your two cents worth. I have read a number of your messages in canvassing this site and noted your insight. I appreciate your efforts and attempt to consider the source of my problem.