Doing a clean install, do I need drivers & utilities disc?

I don't even know what an adapter is. It is saying the driver for the Ethernet Controller is not installed. I might have to just call someone up tomorrow.

Okay, Ignatzatsonic I will try to unplug for 60 seconds.

The NIC driver should be on that "drivers and utilities" disc.

Take a look at it. DON"T just willy-nilly install everything on that disc. Look for anything on it related to NIC or Ethernet or Network Adapter. Words to that effect.

I put the drive/utilities disc in its asking if I want to:
Install or run program from your media: Run autoRcd.exe
General options: Open folder to view files using Windows Explorer.
Do I just run it or open folders to view files?

I wouldn't just "run' anything yet.

Open the folders and see what's there--look for drivers related to network, networking, NIC, Ethernet, etc.

Report back.

There are 12 Files on the disc:
CSD
DIAGS
HTML
SUPPORT
UPC32
ZIPFILES
AUTORCD
BOOT
CHOICE
DOSMENU
RCDMENU
REBOOT

Cryptic, unfortunately.

But not surprisingly.

I assume some of those are folders rather than files?

What is inside Zipfiles?

What is inside Choice?

What is inside RCDMENU?

I'm afraid that just blindly going with "autorun" might install a bunch of stuff that is either unnecessary or older/inferior to what you already got from the Windows disc. I'm not sure that if you start the "autorun" that you would still be able to pick and choose single items---such as Ethernet or Network Adapter.

I'd do autorun as a last resort, but first tell us what's inside those folders.

Inside folders:
ZipFiles: 22 files that start with _R followed by 6 numbers, then a file 1394A0CD.
Choice: when I click on it it says this version is not compatible with the version of Windows I am running.
RCDMENU:same as above.

OK.

I'm guessing you have to go to autorun.

Understand before you begin-----you did a clean install of Windows a couple of hours ago. If autorun fouls you up in some way, you can clearly do another clean install to get back to where you are right now, if push comes to shove.

I assume you have no qualms or fear about doing that?

If so, go ahead with autorun and immediately look for some way to get at drivers generally and Ethernet/network adapter/network interface/NIC whatever term Dell may use.

Ideally, a menu will come up in ordinary English and you simply make a choice from the menu and then try to locate that driver and just poke it.

Post back if you are unsure about any menu or choice you see.

I looked online, I believe a menu does come up, I will do this tomorrow. I wrote down what I need from the disc and will only click on that. Thanks for all the help, it is very much appreciated.