FAQ
TL;DR: Fix old Nokia “Generic Phone” drivers offline with a 3‑step method; “Do not run the exe file.” [Elektroda, Kolobos, post #16733526]
Why it matters: You can get a legacy Nokia online or tethered without internet on the PC, using only local files.
- Windows version confirmed: Windows 7 Professional on the target PC. [Elektroda, indigoplateau, post #16733484]
- .cab archives can be unpacked with WinZip or the Windows expand command. [Elektroda, Kolobos, post #16733150]
- Nokia exposes five NMWCD interfaces (e.g., JAVACOMM, Cdc_Modem) for one phone. [Elektroda, indigoplateau, post #16733484]
- Working fix: extract Nokia-Allx64-Cable driver pack with 7‑Zip; install via Device Manager; don’t run the exe. [Elektroda, Kolobos, post #16733526]
- Symptom match: “system cannot find the driver” under Generic Phone means missing INF mapping. [Elektroda, indigoplateau, post #16733137]
Quick Facts
- Windows version confirmed: Windows 7 Professional on the target PC. [Elektroda, indigoplateau, post #16733484]
- .cab archives can be unpacked with WinZip or the Windows expand command. [Elektroda, Kolobos, post #16733150]
- Nokia exposes five NMWCD interfaces (e.g., JAVACOMM, Cdc_Modem) for one phone. [Elektroda, indigoplateau, post #16733484]
- Working fix: extract Nokia-Allx64-Cable driver pack with 7‑Zip; install via Device Manager; don’t run the exe. [Elektroda, Kolobos, post #16733526]
- Symptom match: “system cannot find the driver” under Generic Phone means missing INF mapping. [Elektroda, indigoplateau, post #16733137]
How do I install Nokia “Generic Phone” drivers from a .cab without internet?
Extract the driver pack locally, then point Device Manager to the INF. Use 7‑Zip to unpack the recommended Nokia driver archive, and install via Update Driver in Device Manager. Do not run the exe; install by browsing to the extracted folder. This three‑step workflow fixed the thread case offline. [Elektroda, Kolobos, post #16733526]
The .cab has no .exe. How do I proceed?
Unpack the .cab using WinZip or the Windows expand command. Then, in Device Manager, choose Update Driver and Browse to the extracted folder that contains INF files. Windows will match the correct INF to the hardware ID and install. [Elektroda, Kolobos, post #16733150]
Which driver pack actually worked here?
The Nokia-Allx64-Cable driver pack from DRP worked when extracted with 7‑Zip and installed via Device Manager. The key was not executing the installer, but manually selecting drivers from the unpacked files. [Elektroda, Kolobos, post #16733526]
Should I run the driver pack’s .exe or extract it?
Extract it and avoid running the executable. As the expert put it, “Do not run the exe file.” Install by selecting Update Driver, then Browse to the extracted folder. This prevents unwanted package behavior on offline systems. [Elektroda, Kolobos, post #16733526]
Where do I get the hardware IDs for my Nokia?
Check Device Manager entries tied to the phone. In the case solved here, the phone exposed five NMWCD interfaces, including IF_Cdc_Modem and IF_JAVACOMM. Matching these IDs to the extracted INF enabled installation. [Elektroda, indigoplateau, post #16733484]
Device Manager shows only “Generic Phone” and Unknown devices. What now?
That symptom indicates Windows lacks a matching driver. Point Update Driver to the extracted Nokia driver folder so Windows can resolve “Generic Phone” to the correct INF. This replaces the failed automatic search. [Elektroda, indigoplateau, post #16733137]
I still see “system cannot find the driver software for this device.” How do I fix it?
Install from a local driver source. Use Update Driver, select Browse my computer, and target the extracted Nokia driver directory. This avoids online search and satisfies the hardware ID mapping. [Elektroda, indigoplateau, post #16733137]
What does NMWCD mean and why are there multiple interfaces?
NMWCD refers to Nokia Mobile Windows Connectivity Device. Old Nokia phones enumerate several interfaces, such as modem and Java communication. In the case discussed, five interfaces appeared under one device, all needing drivers. [Elektroda, indigoplateau, post #16733484]
Will Nokia PC Suite 7.1 fix this automatically?
It can help with connectivity and tethering. However, the poster reinstalled PC Suite and still hit an “incompatible USB mode” message. If that occurs, fall back to the manual INF install from the extracted driver pack. [Elektroda, indigoplateau, post #16733716]
I get “phone connected in an incompatible USB mode.” What should I try?
Remove the phone from Device Manager, reinstall Nokia PC Suite, and then reinstall drivers from the extracted pack. This sequence resolved recognition issues reported in the thread. [Elektroda, indigoplateau, post #16733716]
Can I use WinZip or the expand command on .cab files for this?
Yes. Unzip the .cab with WinZip or use the expand command, then install drivers by pointing Device Manager to the INF location. This avoids needing an installer. [Elektroda, Kolobos, post #16733150]
Is this offline method safe and repeatable on Windows 7?
Yes. The process relies on local extraction and Device Manager’s Browse feature. It worked on Windows 7 Professional for a 2007 Nokia in the thread case, restoring connectivity without internet. [Elektroda, indigoplateau, post #16733484]
