Posted on 08/25/2006 11:01:59 AM PDT by 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:
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!
'Worst case' won't work with this computer -- this slimline case does NOT have any extra slots, so I've gotta try to figure this puppy out ...
You might try this:
Start Button (lower left)
Settings
Control Panel
Network Connections
from there, run the Network Setup wizard
There are motherboard drivers that have to be installed, not only the network adapter drivers.
If the network adapter was working before the hd crash then it is already enabled in BIOS but you have to install the motherboard drivers.
Surely, there must be a set of drivers for the motherboard that came with the computer.
On the other hand, maybe the network adapter is listed in device manager as a yellow "?" ( Unknown ) device and that is where the drivers would have to be installed.
Buy another network adapter, if you have a PCI slot available.
It sounds like the integated adapter went TU. A PCI ethernet card is about $15 bucks.
Find out specifically what kind of card it is and go to the manufacturers website. Download and install the driver for it.
hey, I have 10 Dells at work here...and I am tech support....among 100 other things. Just posting what works for me!
You installed the OS, but not the motherboard drivers. If this card is built in to the board, you should have a drivers disk that you need to install first. Easiest way to find out if this is so is to go to control panel and under system/device manager, delete the NIC driver. Close the window and if the initial driver was installed, the OS will find it. If not, pull out the drivers CD that came with the PC and install all yourmotherboard drivers.
Somewhat related issue: in XP HE, how can I determine whether the unit is wireless-capable? I plumb forgot.
You can buy network adapters that plug into USB ports.
I can't see my monitor. Would you help me? I keep hitting the NumLock button and it doesn't help.
If there are any unknown devices (?)in the hardware list, remove them and then search for new hardware.
Apparently I need to go to Dell.com on a different machine, plug in service tag #, etc., as some here have kindly advised, so that is what I will try next.
I was wonder which idiot would be the first to make a Linux comment. Congratulations.
First, hunt through the entries in Device Manager to make sure that the adapter is really not there. Start > Settings > Control Panel > System > Hardware Tab > Device Manager button. Is anything at all listed under Network Adapters? If an adapter is listed make sure that it is enabled. If one is listed and no error notice is present, the adapter may just need a driver. XP has built in drivers for many adapters, but not all, so you may need to install a driver from the adapter manufacturer, which will be available on the manufacturer's website, or perhaps the Dell website.
If no adapter is listed, go into the computer's BIOS on boot. On your Dell this is probably done by tapping the F2 key, but it may be Delete or another key -- the specific key should be displayed early in the boot process.
Hunt around in the BIOS for an entry for your network adapter. On some computers this would be in Integrated Peripherals, but I have no idea where it is in yours, or even if it is normally present at all. Some Dells have minimal BIOSes. If you find the adapter listed and it is set as disabled, change that to enabled. Hit Escape and choose to save the change to your BIOS, reboot and Windows should notice the adapter.
You can of course screw up your computer by messing with the BIOS. If you get confused about what you have done to the BIOS just shut the computer and let it reboot. If you somehow mess up the BIOS, remove the motherboard battery for 15 minutes and then replace it, and a default BIOS will load when you boot.
Good luck.
Too many stores have removed the wired version trying to force people to use wireless. This all assumes the computer in question is the wired variety.
Is the computer plugged in?
hahaha...1st question on the Bangalore Dell Help Desk.
Berry Berry Good, My name is Joe.
If none of the above suggestions work, call your local Best Buy and ask for the Geek Squad. I know from working there that they usually sneer at Dells, but you might still be able to get an agent to come out and fix the problem. From having worked in their computer department, I know they usually take pity on Dell owners if the customer is friendly enough.
The problem is, Dell wants you to run everything through them. Understandable. But it puts the customer in a real bind when it's a simple problem that can be fixed in a few hours as opposed to 4-6 weeks.
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