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About Ralph Becker
Expertise
General networks, including LAN (ethernet, cable modem, DSL), dialup (modems), WAN (frame relay, ATM), and other related networking technologies.
Experience
I have worked for 20 years in various network companies, in capacities including development, customer service, and operations.
Check out my bio/ratings page!
http://www.allexperts.com/expert.cgi?m=1&catID=1049&expID=20679
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You are here: Experts > Computing/Technology > Communications/Networks > General Networking/Lan/Wan > NIC not visible - not internet connection
Expert: Ralph Becker - 10/30/2009
Question
I bought my son a new computer less than 6 months ago. It's an HP desktop running Vista. We had it all working just fine, internet connection and all. We have a Netgear router and had a Netgear wireless adapter than we set up and was working perfectly.
About two months ago, my son says he lost the internet connection on his desktop. He just switched to his laptop, which connected just fine. Now his laptop isn't working (completely different problem), so we're trying to get the desktop connection working.
We cannot connect in any way. The wireless adapter doesn't work. I have trouble even getting it to recognize the network. We tried a direct cable connecting, but that doesn't work either. The cable works fine as my son uses it with his xbox. I have a desktop with a direct cable connection and it works just fine.
I checked setup (F2) to see what the NIC settings were, but there is no NIC that shows up under the onboard stuff. When the cable is plugged in to the back of the computer, the green light comes on.
I'm really confused on what the problem is or how to fix it. Do you have any suggestions? I didn't see anything in the device manager with a ? next to it.
Answer
Hi Carol, and thanks for your question.
Based on what you're saying, most likely there is a hardware problem or two here. Let's go through it systematically.
First of all, download the latest drivers for both of your NICs. You can probably get the driver for the wireless NIC from the manufacturer's web site, and for the ethernet connection (presumably the one built into the motherboard) from HP's web site. Put those driver files onto the hard drive of the computer for later.
Next, for each NIC separately, do a complete uninstall of the device in device manager - just delete the entry. Then shut the computer down. For the wireless NIC, physically remove it from the computer; for the ethernet, you will have to go into the BIOS settings and disable the NIC from there (if it even shows up, as you indicated that it does not). Once removed, reboot the computer. Shut it down again, then reinstall/reenable the NIC and then reboot. Windows will find the device and ask you if you know where the drivers are for it. Use the drivers you downloaded earlier.
If the NIC still doesn't work after that, it's probably dead. For the wireless NIC, you can try installing it in another computer to see if it works there, but you'll still have to get a replacement for this computer. For the ethernet, it may be a failed ethernet port and if the computer is under warranty, you should be able to get a hardware replacement of the motherboard. Alternately, you can get an ethernet NIC and just leave the onboard NIC disabled if you are out of warranty.
Good luck, and I hope this helps.
Ralph
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