Solved Reformat gone bad - please help

[arayfo1]

I attempted to install the OS one more time and I have successfully installed it this time. Apparently the partition tool I used to format the drive initially left some data on the drive and that's what was causing the conflict. I chose to reformat the drive during the installation process and that seemed to clear the way. Now the only problem is this particular download I've used isn't wanting to accept my wifi's pass key.

 

[AddRAM]

Wait a minute, now you`re saying you`re done, Can the computer get to the internet ?

You have to install all your drivers and do all the updates, it`s gonna take you all nite

 

[arayfo1]

haha. . any idea where I can get the drivers? This might prove difficult considering I have no access to internet on that end.

 

[Britton30]

You need to go to another PC with internet and download/install the network adapter driver. Save it to a CD or flash drive.

 

[AddRAM]

You get the drivers from the cd that came with your computer, or you go to the manufacturers website to download the network ( LAN ) drivers and install them on the pc you`re working on, you have to have a pc that can get to the net and a cd or a flash drive to put the drivers on. You should have gotten them before you re installed windows

You had no idea what you were getting into did ya

Oh well, Live and Learn, But..... we`re here for ya.

What is the make and exact model of the pc ?

 

[arayfo1]

You get the drivers from the cd that came with your computer, or you go to the manufacturers website to download the network ( LAN ) drivers and install them on the pc you`re working on, you have to have a pc that can get to the net and a cd or a flash drive to put the drivers on. You should have gotten them before you re installed windows

You had no idea what you were getting into did ya

Oh well, Live and Learn, But..... we`re here for ya.

What is the make and exact model of the pc ?

Thanks for all the help guys! I am fortunate to have a second computer with working internet. You're right, I didn't have any idea what I was getting myself into! But I knew something had to be done. I just lost my external hard drive and I can't help but wonder if I had taken the time to reformat it would it still be functional today. I'm still not 100% sure its not salvagable but neither of these computers will recognize the device. No, I should have gotten the drivers before I downloaded that partition tool! hehehe

It's an old Acer Aspire.

 

[AddRAM]

Just plug the thing into your router, ya never know, windows may have installed the network drivers. Plug in an Ethernet cord and hook it up.

 

[whs]

Coming to you Live from Linux Mint 16

I love it. That's how I do a lot of my internet work.

 

[arayfo1]

Just plug the thing into your router, ya never know, windows may have installed the network drivers. Plug in an Ethernet cord and hook it up.

I tried that, but for some reason it still won't connect to my wifi network. I assume the drivers are missing, but I'm still not sure where to get them.

 

[arayfo1]

Anyone know where I can get windows 7 drivers for an Acer Aspire M3202?

 

[gregrocker]

Are you following Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7?

It explains exactly how drivers are handled in Win7, as well as everything else you need to know to get and keep a perfect install.

Most drivers will be provided during install and after you get online, enable Automatically deliver drivers via Windows Update (Step 3)
then run all rounds of Important and Optional Windows Updates, with reboots, until there are no more.

Any drivers still missing after all Updates are done can be found on the Acer Support Downloads webpage for your model. If there's no Win 7 drivers try Vista, google the Device make and model for a Win7 driver, or ask back here for it.

 

[whs]

Take your pick.

http://www.bing.com/search?q=windows%207%20drivers%20for%20an%20Acer%20Aspire%20M3202&pc=conduit&ptag=G866-A98AEE4B202A3461B8EF&form=CONOMX&conlogo=CT3210127

 

[Britton30]

You will need to download and network or WiFi adapter driver from a PC connected to the internet, save them on removable media and install to the Acer. Then new updates and drivers can flow to you.

 

[gregrocker]

Plug your ethernet cable in, enable Automatically deliver drivers via Windows Update (Step 3), watch for animation in System tray for driver loading.

If none look in the Device Manager for installed Network Adapters. If none, what are the missing Drivers?

What is your exact make and model? Go http://us.acer.com/ac/en/US/content/drivers input the model to get the network drivers on a stick or CD, bring them to the target PC and install them. Watch the System tray for available wireless networks to sign in or that the wired ethernet connection is active.

You wouldn't have had this problem if you'd have followed the tutorial I provided earlier Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7 which covers exactly how drivers are handled in Win7 along with everything else needed to get and keep a perfect install.

The network driver you use was to be in your backup so if it isn't provided by Win7 you can install it to get online and do all of your Important and Optional Updates which provide most other drivers.

 

[arayfo1]

I'm not on-line yet, Greg.

I'm not on-line yet, Britton.


I went to the Acer support site and downloaded the drivers, tranferred them to my pc, downloaded them, attempted to restart and reconnect to my wifi but still no connection has been made.

Chipset Driver
2 Wireless Lan Drivers
1 Lan Driver
1 Video Card Driver
1 Audio Driver

Shouldn't the Lan drivers be the drivers I need to acquire a connection?

Should I go back to the drawing board and try again with a new Windows 7 download?

 

[arayfo1]

Plug your ethernet cable in, enable Automatically deliver drivers via Windows Update (Step 3), watch for animation in System tray for driver loading.

If none look in the Device Manager for installed Network Adapters. If none, what are the missing Drivers?

What is your exact make and model? Go Acer | Download input the model to get the network drivers on a stick or CD, bring them to the target PC and install them. Watch the System tray for available wireless networks to sign in or that the wired ethernet connection is active.

You wouldn't have had this problem if you'd have followed the tutorial I provided earlier Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7 which covers exactly how drivers are handled in Win7 along with everything else needed to get and keep a perfect install.

The network driver you use was to be in your backup so if it isn't provided by Win7 you can install it to get online and do all of your Important and Optional Updates which provide most other drivers.

Greg, I checked the device manager and it shows that I have a Marvell Ethernet Driver as well as a Realtek Wireless Device Driver located in Network Adapters. As far as whats missing your guess is as good as mine.

Plugging the ethernet cable directly into pc didn't appear to make a difference.

Acer Aspire m3202 Desktop

I installed the available drivers, but still no connection.

I had no desire to reformat my entire computer. I only wanted to reformat drive C. Are you suggesting I start the whole process again? I'm not sure what I did differently than the tutorial that would have saved me this headache, but I'm open to suggestions.

I do have a backup, but I'm not sure exactly how to locate those specific drivers. I suppose I should have another look though.

 

[gregrocker]

Both your wired and wireless drivers seem to be installed. Do they say they're working when you click on them in Device Manager?

The next stop is the System Tray to see if networks are available to connect. If not rightclick the connection icon to Troubleshoot Problems which will tell you what is wrong.

Check the wireless switch is on.

 

[arayfo1]

Both your wired and wireless drivers seem to be installed. Do they say they're working when you click on them in Device Manager?

The next stop is the System Tray to see if networks are available to connect. If not rightclick the connection icon to Troubleshoot Problems which will tell you what is wrong.

Check the wireless switch is on.

Yes, both devices appear to be working properly.

The wireless switch?

Seeing as how I have an upgrade DVD for Windows 7 would it have made more sense to download Windows Vista and then turn around and attempt to upgrade to Windows 7 with drivers?

 

[gregrocker]

No, that has nothing to do with it. You don't have to have the qualifying OS installed to use Upgrade version key. If it was on the drive when you booted to install, then the installer saw it and should allow you to use the Upgrade Key. If not do the quick registry workaround in Option 3 in Clean Install with a Upgrade Windows 7 Version .

Most laptops have a wireless switch. If you don't know where yours is, you can ask Google. The troubleshooter I've now suggested twice will also tell you if its not turned on, and anything else that's the problem.

Why is nothing reported back about very specific steps we give you to click on Connection Icon in bottom right System tray to connect to network, or if no networks rightclick on it to run troubleshooter?

This is annoying because if you'd even read the Clean Reinstall tutorial and acted responsibly you would have asked back questions to plan all of these things in advance. Instead you just ignored our help and now want us to bail you out while you continue ignoring those steps.

These issues require absolute attention to detail, not missing any steps, until they are either completed or you have asked back to get them done.

 

[arayfo1]

Dude, Relax. I just registered to this forum last night so I didn't know about any specific steps prior to getting myself in this mess and I didn't report back to you about the system tray because that is common knowledge and thought it's maybe better to focus on what I don't know. Also, I'm not sure which tutorial it was but the one clean install tutorial didn't offer a download for my specific computer so naturally I had to look for a download by other means. And I really don't think I should have to apologize to anyone for being a noob, and it should be obvious I don't know what I'm doing.