Experiencing Some Internet Use Problems

[PlainTwo]

I just had to reistall Windows XP on my computer, and now I cannot access the internet. (I'm writing this from my sister's computer at the moment.) I haven't tried to fix the issue myself, due to the fact that I'll probablly mess something up and make the issue harder to solve. I've tried google and the answeres were just all over the place, and I quickly got confused.

If possible I'm looing for someone who can help me get my internet up and running again simply by guiding me through the steps I need to do.

Thanks!

 

[vxicepickxv]

I'd look to find drivers for your network card first, as it sounds like that is your biggest culprit.

 

[PlainTwo]

I'd look to find drivers for your network card first, as it sounds like that is your biggest culprit.

And how do I go about doing that?

 

[darth.pixie]

What is your network card? Did it come with a CD? Install it, if not, download it and install it.

If your card is a Realtek, for example, look for the driver on the realtek website. Install it, then make a connection considering what internet you have and you should be set.

 

[PlainTwo]

What is your network card? Did it come with a CD? Install it, if not, download it and install it.

If your card is a Realtek, for example, look for the driver on the realtek website. Install it, then make a connection considering what internet you have and you should be set.

I'm sorry but I'm not exactly sure what network card I have. How can I figure that information out?

 

[darth.pixie]

Alright, I'll assume that it's a motherboard network card. You can find out what card it is in Device Manager (Right click on My Computer -> Properties).

Did you really not get any cd with it or with the motherboard? It should have been there.

 

[tharglet]

This is one of these problems that might be more easily fixed by bribing some tecchie to your house.

First thing to check, if you've been moving the PC about, and you have wired, make sure the wire is in the right hole XD.

If you're using a wireless dongle, it's likely you'll need to reinstall the drivers for it. Hunt around for the CD or download them off the appropriate manufacturer's site on the internet.

Most onboard LAN (wired) should work just fine after reinstallation, but you could always see if you've got a CD that came with your computer with drivers on it. (Usually the disc is labelled something like "mainboard drivers").

 

[PlainTwo]

I received the computer from someone else, so no disks were included. I'll go see if I can find my network card now and get back to you.

 

[PlainTwo]

Alright, I'll assume that it's a motherboard network card. You can find out what card it is in Device Manager (Right click on My Computer -> Properties).

Did you really not get any cd with it or with the motherboard? It should have been there.

Just checked in my Device Manager, and I couldn't find anything about a network card. One thing I did notice though, was that under the category "Other Deivces" which included "Ethernet Controller", "SM Bus Controller", and other things, all have icons beside them that are yellow question marks with tiny little caution signs in the bottom right corner.

Would this have anything to do with my problem?

First thing to check, if you've been moving the PC about, and you have wired, make sure the wire is in the right hole XD.

The PC hasn't moved before or after the installation of windows, and the ethernet cable is plugged into the right spot, that's the first thing I checked.

 

[darth.pixie]

Yes it would, that means that none are installed. Considering that the card is motherboard integrated, you need the ethernet driver off the motherboard site.

 

[PlainTwo]

Yes it would, that means that none are installed. Considering that the card is motherboard integrated, you need the ethernet driver off the motherboard site.

And what would the motherboard site be?

 

[tharglet]

Just checked in my Device Manager, and I couldn't find anything about a network card. One thing I did notice though, was that under the category "Other Deivces" which included "Ethernet Controller", "SM Bus Controller", and other things, all have icons beside them that are yellow question marks with tiny little caution signs in the bottom right corner.

Would this have anything to do with my problem?

Very much so. Does very much suggest you do need to install the mainboard drivers.
If you can't find the disc, find out the make/model of your mobo (either hunt the manual down, or if you open the case up, it's usually printed on the mobo itself - the massive board that everything's connected to. You could find one of those device-recognisin' programs, but your mileage may vary). Then google for the manufacturer's site (e.g. MSI, ASUS), then look for the downloads section, then you should be asked for your mobo model.

 

[darth.pixie]

Depends on your motherboard.

Just go to

Start>All Programs>Accessories>System Tools>System Information

It will tell you what you need to know.

Edit: or from the Device Manager at the ethernet controller -> details -> hardware ids

 

[PlainTwo]

Very much so. Does very much suggest you do need to install the mainboard drivers. If you can't find the disc, find out the make/model of your mobo (either hunt the manual down, or if you open the case up, it's usually printed on the mobo itself - the massive board that everything's connected to. You could find one of those device-recognisin' programs, but your mileage may vary). Then google for the manufacturer's site (e.g. MSI, ASUS), then look for the downloads section, then you should be asked for your mobo model.

I opened up my computer, and the only thing I could make out on the motherboard was "Dell" printed in large letters. Now Dell is the company that made the computer I'm having issues with, so I'm not sure if it says Dell on the motherboard because they made the computer, or because they made the moetherboard themselves as well.

Depends on your motherboard.

Just go to

Start>All Programs>Accessories>System Tools>System Information

It will tell you what you need to know.

Edit: or from the Device Manager at the ethernet controller -> details -> hardware ids

I could not find my motherboard model using either of these methods. For the first one, I didn't see anything about a motherboard in the list, could you be more specific as to what category it would be under and what it would be called?

For the ethernet controller method, it just gave me a pop-up warning message saying "No driver files are required or have been loaded for this device."

 

[darth.pixie]

System Manufacturer and System Model. Write them both here.

 

[PlainTwo]

System Manufacturer and System Model. Write them both here.

System Manufacturer : Dell Inc.
System Model : OptiPlex GX280

 

[darth.pixie]

Alright, your drivers should be at:


http://support.dell.com/support/downloads/driverslist.aspx?os=WW1&osl=EN&catid=5&impid=-1&servicetag=&SystemID=PLX_GX280&hidos=WW1&hidlang=en

Get the recommended driver (not utility or anything else)

Good luck. Hope it works.

 

[PlainTwo]

Alright, your drivers should be at:


http://support.dell.com/support/downloads/driverslist.aspx?os=WW1&osl=EN&catid=5&impid=-1&servicetag=&SystemID=PLX_GX280&hidos=WW1&hidlang=en

Get the recommended driver (not utility or anything else)

Good luck. Hope it works.

Thank you very much!

One thing before I try this though. Since I lack an internet connection I obviously can't download this to my computer directly. What I'm doing is downloading from my sisters computer onto my external hard drive, then from my hard drive to my own computer. When putting the files on my own computer, what file path would I install them to in order to ensure they function properly?

 

[darth.pixie]

You're welcome

Just let it install wherever it wants (generally in C. Unless you have a very specific idea of where things go in your computer (like I have on my own), it should be fine wherever.

 

[PlainTwo]

Great, I'll try it out now then.

Thanks again for your help, and thanks to you as well tharglet.