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Windows having problems finding a network adaptor

Discussion in 'Non-Emulation Help' started by Shin The Archmage, Jul 26, 2011.

  1. Shin The Archmage

    Shin The Archmage Well-Known Member

    Been struggling for about 6 hours now to get internet working on my main computer.

    Just wondering if anyone ever had a similer issue.
    Windows says it can't detect a network adaptor, and it has also dissapeared from the device manager. I've downloaded everything that I think should be associated with it, but no luck.

    Also, it was tell it was realtek in the boot menu when starting up the computer, but it doesn't do that anymore.
    I know it can't be my hardware or modem or ethernet, for they work on other computers (including this one) however my Windows 7 computer is failing to connect to the internet. I'm on DSL.

    What information shall I provide? I can't think straight because I'm so upset...
    Please help.
     
    Shin The Archmage, Jul 26, 2011
    #1
  2. Loonylion

    Loonylion Administrator Staff Member

    install and run dr. hardware 2009 and tell me if the network adapter appear in the 'PCI bus' tab on the hardware page?

    Do bear in mind that its quite likely we may have to install a discrete card if the realtek has bought it. Check its enabled in the BIOS as well.
     
    Loonylion, Jul 26, 2011
    #2
  3. Shin The Archmage

    Shin The Archmage Well-Known Member

    No, it does not, sir.
    It's as if there isn't a network adapter there anymore.

    I was thinking of reinstalling windows... I don't want too but I have projects due September and I really need internet on my computer.

    Shall I save some screenshots and post them up here?
     
    Shin The Archmage, Jul 26, 2011
    #3
  4. Loonylion

    Loonylion Administrator Staff Member

    if dr hardware isnt showing it then reinstalling windows is a pointless waste of time. either it is disabled in the bios or it is dead. If the latter, then buy an intel pro gigabit adapter (I have an intel pro 1000CT, which is a PCI-E 1x card) Check first if you need PCI-E or PCI and get the appropriate card, and do not allow windows to use its own driver, download the driver package from intel.com and install it, the windows supplied driver is unreliable.

    The intel cards are quite cheap, they have much better performance than the realtek onboard ones (which tend to crap out around 11Mbit/s sustained transfer rate) and they are reliable.
     
    Loonylion, Jul 26, 2011
    #4
  5. Shin The Archmage

    Shin The Archmage Well-Known Member

    But I don't really have money to buy a card. Is there nothing that can be done?
     
    Shin The Archmage, Jul 26, 2011
    #5
  6. Loonylion

    Loonylion Administrator Staff Member

    if its dead then no, you either buy a discrete card or replace the motherboard, and the discrete card route is by far the cheaper option.
     
    Loonylion, Jul 27, 2011
    #6