Microsoft cannot install the NIC/modem/LAN driver because it isn't on line yet after initial install.
So that is one of the first if not the first driver you need to install after Win7 is installed.
You would have the same problem with XP or Vista.
My old XP with dial up wouldn't call out without the XP modem driver first.
Sort of like you can't dial a phone without the keypad. The "driver" is the keypad to "dial out".
Exactly. These steps will lead to a Perfect Reinstall.
The installer is mostly driver-complete, with newer arriving quickly via optional Windows Updates. Just in case, have your Wireless driver on flash stick or CD so you can get online quickly. Then enable hardware driver auto-updating and check for optional Updates frequently.
The problem is resolved.
Although I've posted much of this on the thread on the Crashes and Debugging forum it may be helpful to post similarly here. I'll apologise in advance if I shouldn't have done this.
Nearly 2 weeks ago I got my PC back from my local shop where it had been for them to investigate.
They'd runn tests on memory - passed; CPU - passed; motherboard - passed; PSU - passed. At no stage did they get a BSOD (typical!)
Then they put their collective heads together and came to the conclusion that it was a memory problem. So to include the relevant bit of their email to me:
"We believe it was your ram modules that were causing your blue screen issues; your old ram was the hyper Tec value ram 1.65v in which we have now replaced with 4 GB corsair Vengeance 1.5v Ram.
The Sandybridge motherboard you have has a maximum voltage memory controller which can handle up to 1.59v.
We could probably tweak the motherboard to give more stability with your old ram but the best way is to simply replace the Ram to the 1.5v memory controller."
I've now had it back for nearly 2 weeks and it has run without a hiccough - previously the longest time BSOD free was 6 days (once) more normally 1-2 days.
So, in a few days or so when I've got time, I'll rebuild to get a clean system - it's got a bit messy with diagnostic software, etc.
Thanks to all who offered their advice and guidance. Clearly the new memory would have cost somewhat more than the old so they lost a little but they know I'll bring more business, where they are reasonably competitive, because their service is so good.
I wholeheartedly withdraw my view that Windows 7 is more BSOD prone than XP. The more I use it the more I like it.
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