Windows 7: Netgear wireless adapter not working (W7 upgrade)

Hi folks,

I've upgraded my PC to Windows 7 Home Premium today (from Win XP Pro) and now the wireless network adapter does not work.



The adapter is a Netgear WG331 v1. I've tried downloading the drivers from the Netgear site - both those for the v1 and the newer drivers for the v3 and neither have fixed the issue.

I've used the Win 7 troubleshoot feature to install this driver (it is meant to be included within Win 7) but this does not work either.

I've also tried plugging the ethernet cable that normally goes directly into the back of my Netgear router into the PC, in order to provide Win 7 with internet access. However, this has not worked, with the connection apparently not recognised by the computer. I've tried to update the drivers for my PC's motherboard to remedy this, but have been unable to find any that are compatible with this version of Windows. The motherboard is MSI n1996.

Windows 7 troubleshooter shows missing drivers for the following: Multimedia Audio Controller (two of these), PCI Input Device, Ethernet Controller.

What I'm banking on is that an internet connection will enable Win 7 to locate drivers for all of these, but I am currently unable to make this happen. The internet connection is running fine and the wireless router is broadcasting the signal properly (I am accessing it right now via my laptop).

I hope I've explained this clearly, but please let me know if you need any more info to help me with this problem. Thanks in advance.

I would think, that with all that legacy hardware, perhaps your best bet would be to borrow (friend, relative, neighbor) a more current USB wireless adapter and see if you can get that to work with Windows 7 and possibly check your theory about Widows Updates. Or alternately just bite the bullet and purchase a more current card or usb device yourself that has Win 7 drivers or native compatability. Go here for info Windows 7 Compatibility Center home