New
#1
Missing Network Adapter Driver after Installing Win 7
Hi everyone,
First, I would consider myself a solid PC user ( added memory, exchanged or added HD's etc), but by no means am I an expert.
So here is my problem...my son's HP Pavilion G4 with an AMD A6-4400M processor and a Atheros AR5B125 Chipset, was loaded with death nail virus scanners that essentially have been preventing him from being able to do his homework ( the laptop was purchased and used at my Ex-Wife's so this is the first time I have ever set eyes on it. It had Win8 installed.) I said I would help, thinking that the install would go as smoothly as every other OS install that I have ever done.
I only have Win7 install disks, so I decided that, rather than try to fiddle around for hours on end trying to root out all of these scanners, I would simply do a fresh Win7 Install.
Unfortunately, this install did not go as smoothly as hoped. The OS is running etc but I have lost all of the drivers. My primary concern, right now, is getting connected to the web.
I have gone through the windows troubleshoot and identified the correct driver through the device manager ( gives me the " driver found but can't install ). I have tried downloading HP driver packs and even tried to slip inf files into Win32 ( and the Wow file that was recommended for 64 bit - both options downloaded onto a flash drive on another machine ). Nothing has worked.
I also tried deleting the network adapter by right clicking on it in device manager and then rebooting in the hopes that windows would detect it was missing and re-install. No luck!
I have also been to the mfg site ( Atheros ) and they take me to an "unofficial" site that has download packs for everything but no .exe to help along. It's designed for programmers or admins, which I am not.
While I am no way near the point of serious worry, I was trying to save my ex from having to go to best buy and paying for someone to clean my son's machine. With no web connection ( including wifi ) and no applications, the machine is a useless as it was with all of the scanners.
Windows is identifying the adapter as an " Atheros L2 Fast Ethernet 10/100 baseT " which seems a little generic.
Please save me from a potential nightmare.
Thank you all in advance.