Reinstalled windows 7, drivers dont work and can't connect to internet

[sdmoser]

I reinstalled Windows 7 last night and when it booted back up the screen resolution has changed, I have several drivers that aren't working and I can't connect to the internet. Any thoughts?

 

[alphanumeric]

Reinstalled how? Clean install, factory restore?

 

[sdmoser]

Clean install with the DVD

 

[alphanumeric]

OK, sounds like you have some hardware that needs drivers installed. You'll have to download them from the manufacturers web site's support section for your PC. Something you probably should have done before you did your clean install. Now you will have to download them on another PC and use a USB thumbdrive or other media to transfer and install them on your PC. I'd install the drivers for your network card first, then once you have a working Internet connection you can download the rest directly to your problem PC. Device Manager should show you what's not working and requires drivers.

 

[seavixen32]

Is your computer self-built or bought from a computer manufacturer?

If it is the latter, go to their support site where you can download all the drivers you need.

As alphanumeric says, have a look in device manager for anything that has a yellow question mark against it, which indicates a driver is needed.

 

[sdmoser]

I'm at dell's website right now, how do i know which drivers i need?

 

[sdmoser]

The "Network Controller" has a yellow question mark next to it but on the dell site there are 11 different drivers listed under "Network". How do I know which is right?

 

[ignatzatsonic]

Do you have a Dell ID number unique to your particular PC? I forget what they call it. Service tag??

If you use that number, it should lead you to stuff that is compatible with your specific PC.

Or post a screen shot of what you are seeing at Dell web site.

 

[sdmoser]

I think I found the network one that I need but the other ones are "Etherent Controller", "Network Controller", "PCI Simple Communucations Controller", "SM Bus Controller", and "Universal Serial Bus (USB) Controller". I don't anything for these on the Dell website. Thanks for your help!

 

[alphanumeric]

Yes the "Service Tag Number" is what you want. It should be listed on a sticker on the PC somewhere. It's also listed in the BIOS. Input that number in the correct spot on the dell support site and it will lead you to downloads for you specific model dell.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

Ethernet controller is a very common name for what you need to establish an Internet connection.

 

[seavixen32]

Drivers and Downloads | Dell [United States]

Click Select a Product and enter your service tag for a list of drivers for your computer.

You may need to change to your region.

 

[sdmoser]

I did that and this is what I'm seeing on the Dell Website:

Does that mean I need all of these or what?

 

[alphanumeric]

I think I found the network one that I need but the other ones are "Etherent Controller", "Network Controller", "PCI Simple Communucations Controller", "SM Bus Controller", and "Universal Serial Bus (USB) Controller". I don't anything for these on the Dell website. Thanks for your help!

IF I had to guess I would say
Etherent Controller = NIC (wired connection)
Network Controller = Wireless card
PCI Simple Communucations Controller = dial up modem or maybe sound card or video card.
If you right click them in device manager and select properties. Under the details tab there is a Hardware ID option listed in the drop down menu. That can help you ID something.

 

[seavixen32]

Just expand each category for a full list of drivers.

If you're not sure which ones to download check your computer documentation and your purchase order, which should tell you what hardware you have on your machine.

If you download a wrong driver and try and install it you'll be prompted that you can't install it.

Click on the System Configuration link followed by System Information then let Dell scan your computer for an up-to-date list of hardware.

 

[sdmoser]

Will do, thanks for your help!

 

[alphanumeric]

I did that and this is what I'm seeing on the Dell Website:
View attachment 196090
Does that mean I need all of these or what?

Not necessarily, Windows includes a large amount of drivers by default so in theory you only need the drivers it didn't have. Some of those may be newer versions than what windows installed so the choice is up to you. Just keep going until everything works. I usually start with the chip-set drivers, then Video, sound, network, wireless, Touchpad, bluetooth, card reader, CIR, etc.

EDIT: When all the yellow ! are gone from device manager you'll know you got them all. If you find that some of the custom keys on your keyboard don't work it may be because the windows installed driver doesn't support that function. Installing the Dell driver or utility will likely get them working. Thats the way it worked on my old Acer Aspire 5920. I pretty well had to download every driver and utility listed on the Acer site to get everything working.

 

[seavixen32]

According to Dell, they recommend you install drivers in this order: How to Download and Install Drivers in the Correct Order | Dell

 

[gregrocker]

Plug in your ethernet connection and see if it loads a driver automatically as happens 90% of the time with Win7. If so, connect to Windows Updates and run several cycles to get newer drivers via optional Updates.

If ethernet drive won't install, download and install it from the Dell Support Downloads webpage for your model and connect to Windows Updates to get drivers.

Only after several cycles of Windows Updates would I import any drivers still missing in Device Manager.

The SM Bus and USB controllers you mentioned are elements of the Chipset, but I would wait to see if Windows Updates suppplies them before importing the chipset as Win7 is the authority on its drivers.