Windows 7: No Internet Connection, No Unknown Devices. Help?

Fuhaxian · 14 Sep 2012

My friend just re-bought a computer, and it's not recognizing his Ethernet connection. There are no unknown devices (Other Devices), there is no "Network Adapter" list in Device Manager. The LED lights up in the back of the system, but the computer is not recognizing it. The cable is not faulty, and is currently working.

What could be wrong?

Thanks in Advance,
Fuhaxian

oxymoron02 · 14 Sep 2012

Rather odd that it's not appearing as an unknown device, but all the same have you tried just installing the necessary drivers anyway?

When you go into the Network and Sharing Centre does it display any network adapters there?

TVeblen · 14 Sep 2012

I will assume that this is a desktop system and the motherboard has a built in LAN network chip.

The first thing you want to check is that the LAN controller is Enabled in the BIOS settings. This setting is usually on the Advanced Tab > Onboard Devices Configuration.

Fuhaxian · 15 Sep 2012

I appreciate the fast responses,

@Oxymoron02 Yes, we have identified the motherboard, and tried re-installing the necessary drivers, which as expected, did not work knowing there is no unknown device trying to be fixed.

@TVeblen I'll tell him to go ahead and see if he can find that setting. I believe he has already looked, but it's possible he overlooked it. If this doesn't work, I'll just direct him to buy a Network Interface Card and tell him that it's plausible that his Ethernet Port had died.

Thanks,
Fuhaxian