hey guys, We've just reformatted a friends computer, because it's been running for five years with no virus protection, and was almost at a stand still. Because we're noob we forgot to save drivers etc. Now we've re-installed windows, and installed all the important drivers (audio, BIOS, chipset, ide), and everything works fine, except for the internet. It's plugged into a standard D-Link router (other computers connected to it have the internet, no problems), which apparently windows should automatically detect, and install new hardware for. But it doesn't- Control Panel > Network Connections also doesn't show any connections. Apparently this means the computer doesn't have a network adapter, and we need to get one, but it definitely does, the internet was running fine before the format. Putting the router ip (0.1 or 1.1) doesn't find anything either. Any help would be great, thanks! -Simon

Click "Start" > "Run" then copy / paste or type this in: devmgmt.msc and hit "Enter" If there are any yellow question marks, particularly ethernet controller you need drivers for the motherboard / chipset.

thanks, that's exactly what it was! I discovered it about ten minutes before you replied, I didn't have the correct NIC driver, stupid mistake. Thanks a lot though! <3

If you enter the Service Tag number on Dell's site, you can obtain all the necessary drivers for any Dell system. "So won’t you give this man his wings What a shame To have to beg you to see We’re not all the same What a shame" - Shinedown