Windows 7 cannot see network adaptor

Hello! I just did a clean install of Windows 7 on a PC that was formerly running XP, and everything seems to have gone smoothly, except for the network adapter. See, the adapter was working properly in XP, and I expected I might have to update the drivers for 7, but the Device Manager does not even recognize that the network adapter is plugged in.

There is no "Network Device" tab in the Device Manager, unless I click "Show Hidden Items," and none of those items need new drivers. There are three items under "Other Devices": two nameless Ethernet Controllers and a Multimedia Audio Controller.

Trying to install the 7-compatible driver for my adapter that I found on the manufacturer's website has not worked yet; I've tried to use it as a driver for each of the Ethernet Controllers, neither of which has accepted it, and my understanding is that without the Manager recognizing the physical presence of the card, I cannot install the driver (I would be overjoyed to find that I'm wrong, and there is a simple fix)

I have removed the card and plugged it back in, and there has been no change. I hope I have given enough information for someone to recognize my problem; any help would be appreciated. Thank you!

profdlp said:

What brand and model is the motherboard?

I'll admit, I'm not terribly knowledgeable about hardware components. Which menu in Device Manager will show this?

As for the network adapter, it is a Trendnet TEW-423PI

The good news is that Trendnet seems to have drivers for the card, including Window 7 support.

The bad news is that there are 4 revisions of the card, and you may have to figure out which yours is:

TRENDnet | Downloads | Wireless | TEW-423PI

I'm surprised that you're not getting anything in Device Manager, under Network Adapters.

bobkn said:

I'm surprised that you're not getting anything in Device Manager, under Network Adapters.

That's what's really giving me the problem; there doesn't seem to be anything on Google matching this problem. Could it be dust in the socket that I've plugged the card into, interfering with the connection?

profdlp said:

Aha! Good link, bobkn.

I've got one of those in a spare computer. As I recall, you'll need to use the Trendnet software and not the built-in Win7 Network management in Device Manager. :)

So if I use that link, I may be able to fix this problem? :)

EDIT: According to the box, I have the B1.1R version.

profdlp said:

Make sure you run the utility first.

Instructions:
(Please do not install the adapter until instructed to do so)

• Download and unzip the driver file to your hard drive.
• Double click on the unzipped autorun.exe and follow the Quick Installation
  Guide’s procedures to install the Utility and Driver.

About to try it now; I tried the same procedure earlier, but I may have been using a driver for a different card. I just pulled the card out and used canned air to make sure the dust out of the slot, just in case.

Even if it doesn't work, thanks to everyone for the help so far :)