Looking for help with DRIVERS

[mirrodie]

So last night, with some help, I reformated my Dell so that our son can now utilize it.

Its running great now, like new, but I can't connect to the internet. The computer asks me if I want to use
MSN to sign in or to look for other providers, but it just says it can't find an internet.

I dont get it. The wireless router works fine. The Mac is working but the Dell, which is hardwired into the router is not seeing hte internet connection.

What am I overlooking?

[cancidas]

is your ethernet card enabled? usually when i configure a comp for wireless i turn it off, then usually forget to turn it back on when i plug it in.

[T-Bird76]

Control Panel/System/Devices...look at the Ethernet controller and see if there's a yellow exclamation point on it...if so its probably shot or the software needs to be updated. Also check to see if you have any flashing lights right next to the port the cable is plugged into. Cable might be bad.

[eric8669]

I think that you need the driver for the Ethernet Card. If it directly connected to the motherboard then you may software that came with the computer. If you don't have these, Go on a computer that does have internet and go to the Dell website and download the appropriate software for that computer. Put it on an external device and load it onto the dell.

[emshighway]

Is it a laptop or desktop? If desktop re-seat the NIC card if it is a separate card. In the device manager you may want to delete the Ethernet controller and reboot and let it try to re-install. Also check the settings on the router. You may have it locked down to certain computer names and when you wiped it you may have changed it not knowing.

[mirrodie]

OK, its a desktop, (typing from a wireless mac now)

in hte device manager, the etherner controller is indeed yellow. But its from there that Im stuck.

The cable is fine as I used it a few days ago.

[heeshung]

What kind of Dell is it? Usually a quick search of their website can locate the exact drivers you need for your NIC.

[mirrodie]

I have that site up now.


Jsut uninstalled the ethernet controller and ...oh shoot, its restarting??! what the....

[mirrodie]

Still working on it........

Went ot dell site and downloaded onto the laptop the exe files for drivers.


if I do have to reseat the card, what card is that?

[mirrodie]

really frustrating. I thought I downloaded to a flashdrive the driver, (its an ethernet controller issues, driver needs updating) but still not finding it....

wouldnt it be on teh original disks that it came with although I am coming up squat??

Ethernet controller properties says:

The device is not configured properly. And recommends reinstalling driver. Am I not downloading hte right driver?

[heeshung]

Make sure you have the right driver. Download the driver, install it, and when the computer reboots, it should automatically detect the drivers you just installed.

[mirrodie]

well on reboot , the computer can see a new hardware is there, the "ethernet controller",
but it not knowing where to find the driver I just uploaded....

[T-Bird76]

Instead of having the PC find the driver select "find the driver yourself" or locate driver...something to that effect and tell windows to look on the flash dive for it.

[mirrodie]

Ugh!

OK, I did it. THe problem is that Dell had 2 drivers and hte recommended one was the one I didnt need.

Further, when hte computer asked me again where to look, I wasnt specific enough.

They must call it an ethernet controller b/c the guys that make this up must have been on copious amounts of ether!

Yes, for hte love of a son......

[mirrodie]

So much thanks to you all for helping me.

NOw, off to lament Fl's loss to Penn!