Windows 7: Win 7 not detecting hardware

Hey guys,
Recently i upgraded win XP to win 7 with a format and fresh install. Though after the install, Win 7 did not pick up my onboard sound card or my usb modem. I have the drivers for them but how can i install them if Win 7 wont pick them up? they dont appear in the device manager at all. Win XP had no problem at all with this. Is it possible that they hardware is to old to be recognised by windows 7? i dont have the XP software to switch back so hopefully ill be able to fix this with assistance.

Before you did the upgrade did you use the micorosoft upgrade advisor to detect any incompatablities?

Unfortunately i didnt. I just discoverd that windows 7 does not support my USB modem so i have to try ethernet. Device manager picks up a ethernet controller but its a old card) (Asante LC82c115-based 10/100 ethernet adapter and im guessing windows 7 wont support it either. The onboard sound card isnt displaying so im guessing it isnt suported. i guess ill have to purchase 2 new cards?

Hi Andrew.

For the onboard sound you can get the driver directly from Realtek, which in your case is the AC'97 based one and can be found here,

Realtek

As fa as the ethernet driver goes your motherboard does not have any onboard ethernet, you have a NIC/ethernet card in it (checked the user manual for your motherboard). As far as the card that is in it you have a few options,

1. Try hunting high and low and see if you can find the card manufacturer and/or try and find a Vista/Win 7 compatible driver

2. Look into getting a newer modem that uses USB and has Windows 7 support

3. Toss the old ethernet card that is currently in there and get a new one that has Windows 7 support

Personally I would go with number three as it will be the cheapest and easiest method, and can be had for less than $10 (assuming you're in the US),

Newegg.com - Rosewill RC-402 10/100Mbps PCI LAN Card 1 x RJ-45 - Also Supports WINDOWS VISTA READY - Network Interface Cards

Hey mate,
After a long night of searching for the ethernet drivers i was unsucessful as they dont support vista/7 so yeh ill go with option 3 and just purchase a new card that is supported, but as for the sound i have had help with it before in these forums and had no luck. It seems that after installing the correct drivers that are compatible, it does not read that i have any sort of sound hardware at all. Its as if the onboard has stoppped functioning as i have exhausted every possible option. I think ill just purchase a new sound card as well that will be compatible. Thanks alot for your help.

Andrew.

Just saw your other thread about the audio. Is there anything in Device Manager showing as "unknown"? Main one to look for would be "multimedia controller". If it is listed that should be the onboard sound. You can also try and install the driver manually (same one I linked too previously),

Device Manager - Install Driver - Vista Forums

That is for Vista but he same applies to Windows 7.

I think you will find that the biggest problem is the chipset on your motherboard, Intel 845E which was declared EOL (end of life) quite a while ago by Intel. As a result there are no drivers for the motherboard (which are responsible for telling the OS what to go and do with itself in regards to any hardware installed), and Windows will only install whatever it has built in; probably just enough for most things to work. If that is what it is it would also be why you can't get the sound to install.

P.S. From your other thread you mention the gameport, and yes those are no longer supported under Windows 7 (or Vista for that matter). If it is something that you want/need to use, then XP is about your only option. If you don't need/use it, look in the bios and see if there is an option to disable it.