"Windows did not detect any Networking Hardware" after new Hard drive

I apologize but having searched other threads on the same subject and having no luck I think I need to describe my problem specifically.

I had a hard drive failure so just fitted a new WD internal drive to my desktop and freshly installed Win 7 Pro, 64Bit. It can't connect to a network and states "Windows did not detect any Networking Hardware". I've looked in the system info and can seeWAN Miniport (SSTP) listed among other things under network adapter. Is one of them it? It seems to have an associated driver listed but it's obviously not working.

I've spent the last two hours at least searching for an answer to this but hope someone here can now help. I have access to the internet using my Win 8 laptop (using it now to write this).

If you need more information on the system please let me know and I'll supply what I can.

Thanks for any help.

Les

Hi Les ,
In device manager anything Marked !, or problem device.
It might be that you knocked the Pci card out of place, or was it a wifi dongle, when you installed your new HD.

Update your system specs.
Have a quick look at your PC's home page

Roy

Just looked in device manager and the ethernet controller has a "!". Looking at properties it says "the driver for this device is not installed (Code 28)".

Where can I get a driver? Presumably a download and on my laptop, saved to a key for transfer to the desktop?

torchwood said:

Hi Les ,
In device manager anything Marked !, or problem device.
It might be that you knocked the Pci card out of place, or was it a wifi dongle, when you installed your new HD.

Update your system specs.
Have a quick look at your PC's home page

Roy

Sorted! Looked at the device manager and saw that the Ethernet Controller driver wasn't installed. Wasn't sure who's controller it was as it's a purpose made machine and the system info page provided no details but having taken the cover off saw it was an Intel DP55WG motherboard. Googling that then took me to the download centre for that board and I was able to select my operating system and the driver required. Downloaded it to a flash drive on my laptop and then ran the installer on the desktop and suddenly it's all connected!

Thanks for your help.

Les

Hi Les,
Dont forget to update the rest of the drivers,
note USB3 drivers will have to come from the motherboard manufacturers site, non on W7.

Roy

torchwood said:

Hi Les,
Dont forget to update the rest of the drivers,
note USB3 drivers will have to come from the motherboard manufacturers site, non on W7.

Roy

thanks Roy, will do.