Computer Assistance Request: Dell, Win XP Pro, New HD, Network Adapter Not Recognized

[Babu]

I'm at my wit's end -- maybe some FReeper who is smarter than I can tell me what clue I am missing. Here is what happened:

My wife's computer's hard drive crashed, so I purchased and installed a new hard drive, formatted it, and Windows XP Pro was and is working fine. The wife's computer is as follows:

Dell 4600C Series P4 3.06GHz, slimline case with vertical CD drive, purchased in January 2004.
Network Adapter according to original invoice is "Integrated 10/100 Ehternet"

Then the problem came when I tried to get on the Internet. We have a cable broadband always-on connection, run through a wired/wireless Linksys router. Two other computers use the connection, another desktop with a wired connection to the router, and a notebook with a wireless connection to the router. Throughout this, both other computers have retained their Internet connection without interruption.

When I was unable to get connected to the Internet after running the usual checks and dug deeper, I went into the Device Manager, and found that the Network Adapter is not showing, so therein obviously lies the problem. I have used the Find Hardware, etc., to no avail, and the computer just does not recognize the Network Adaptor. I thought perhaps a card had become loose when I changed out the hard drive, so I shut down and opened up the case, but the ethernet cable plug is not a separate card, but seems to be part of the massive Mother Board. I checked all around to see if there was perhaps an unplugged plug or loose cable that occured when I changed the hard drive, but nothing of the sort--everything is very secure.

I tried putting in the Dell Driver disc that came with the computer and installing the supposed driver for the network adaptor, but because the computer does not recognize the network adapter, there is nothing to attach the driver to. I tried reformatting the computer hard drive again from scratch, thinking that something had possibly gone amiss the first time, but the result is the same -- still it does not find a Network Adapter, so I still cannot connect this computer to the Internet.

I have a computer consultant I trust and I use when I just cannot figure something out myself, but he isn't available for over a week, and my wife would like her computer up and running ASAP (It's bad enough she lost her email addresses and favorites in the hard drive crash), so it would be best if I could figure the problem out now. Besides, on occasion, I have found problems that stumped me have stumped the 'computer guy' also, so I think Free Republic is probably a better source than my local computer consultant!!

From other technical threads I have read, I know there are a lot of really knowledgable types in this area that frequent this forum, so perhaps some fellow FReeper has the right tip for me. Please, though, if you would be so kind, don't get overly technical with the language -- I am only a "shade-tree computer-mechanic", I'm sure you get the drift. Sometimes some of the tech language here on the computer threads goes a little over my head. (And you Mac folks, please don't just tell me to buy a Mac, thanks anyway, but I'll work with the equipment I already have)

Thanks in advance!

[markman46]

one question, how dis you reinstall WXP? did you use the rescue disk that came with the computer, or another copy of WXP

[TomGuy]

You might try undoing the router-to-computer connection and then reconnecting it.

I has a similar problem when I reinstalled WinXP. It would not recognize my PCTV card. I had to pull out and then reinsert the card for XP to 'see' it. Then, it asked for the various install drivers.

[Babu]

I used the "Reinstallation CD" that came with the computer.

[frogjerk]

Make sure the integrated network adapter is enabled in the BIOS.

[corbe]

If the Network Card does not show up in the Device Manager that usually means that the BIOS is not reporting it to Windows XP, check the BIOS, usually F1 or F2 immediately upon bootup.

Good Luck, I don't think you should buy a MAC, but I wouldn't buy a DELL either.....LOL

[Al Gator]

Pssst

(tell him how to get to BIOS)

[js1138]

The problem is that the adapter is on the motherboard and you have not installed all the DELL drivers. Sometimes there is a separate disk of motherboard drivers. With Gateway you can go to their site, put in your serial number and they will provide links to all the drivers for your system. Don't know about Dell.

(You do have other computers with which to download stuff?)

Worst case scenerio, go to CompUSA or Circuit City, and for $10-$20 buy a Plug 'n Play network card.

[BurbankKarl]

You have to reinstall all the Dell drivers also, and their updates.

You can do this my entering your Dell computer number onto the support.dell.com site, showing all the Dell specific drivers to one folder, then burning it to a CD and installing on the target computer that way.

Plus you are going to need to install the service packs off the Windows Update when you are up and running.

[frogjerk]

It could be F1, F2 or DEL on Boot up.

[Al Gator]

Fedora Core Forever More

I just put on my magical Red Hat, and all my troubles go away.

[markman46]

Follow frogjerk's advice, and check the BIOS for the NIC to be enabled

[BurbankKarl]

oops, sorry for the typos....but you get the idea...you need to install all the Dell drivers...I would get the updated versions off the website

[Babu]

Yes, thank you, I have tried that several times (as well as unplugging the cable modem and the router) -- just tried it again for good measure. No change -- still doesn't find the Network Adapter

[Al Gator]

And Babu, don't go mucking about too much in BIOS if you are not familiar with it. You can stick yourself into deep cul de sacs.

If in doubt, wait and ask someone.

[oceanview]

use another computer, goto the dell web site, enter your service tag, download the latest BIOS and updated XP network card drivers, burn a CD, load everything onto the non-working computer, reboot.

[red-dawg]

Write down the Service Tag number off of this pc and go to a working PC.
Go to Dell's website / support section and enter the number.
Download the network driver and burn to CD.
Copy this file to a folder on the non-working PC and unzip it.
It will have a "Setup" file you need to execute. This will get it working.

Good luck.

[ChinaThreat]

I would suggest a couple of things:

Boot into your BIOS and reset everything back to the defaults. I have seen this cause problems on Dell integrated NICs before. This should only take a few minutes.

If speed is your priority, go buy another NIC (network card). Make sure you determine if you need a low profile nic or not.

If you are trying to conserve money, rebuild the machine using the recovery tools provided with your machine. If you get paid more than $10 per hour, you would be better served just buying a new NIC.

I hate when they integrate comm components on the motherboard. Its just asking for trouble. Packard Bell and Compaq used to be notorious for this.

[frogjerk]

Listen to BurbankKarl's address as well. If the NIC is enabled in BIOS then the specific drivers for the motherboard are not being detected by Windows, it will not detect built in stuff correctly (Like modems, correct video card, NICs, correct soundcard, etc...). You would need to load the correct and updated drivers from DELL for the motherboard and onboard chipset.

[Babu]

Yes, I have two other computers that are still on the Internet, so I could try to go to Dell.com and get the Dell drivers, but I have the original Dell Driver disc, and loaded it up and put the drivers on the malfunctioning machine, but since the computer was not recognizing the Network Adapter to match to that driver, it wouldn't do anything.

Still, I'll see what I can do on Dell's site on one of my other machines. Thanx.