Solved Clean install of Windows 7-x64 on Acer Aspire

[Pyrus]

I have done a clean install of Windows 7 (64 bit) on an Acer Aspire 5741 laptop using a retail Windows disk which included SP1. The install seemed to go OK but I can't connect to the internet. The hardware page on the control panel shows exclamation marks against three items, and says drivers are missing for them. These are:

Network Controller
Ethernet Controller
PCI Simple Communications Controller

I visited Acer's support site which has a driver download page for the Aspire 5741. This is it:



My question is...which of these drivers should I install?

I am using a Devolo DLAN Homeplug connection with a Linksys WAG325N gateway.

[I put this question to Acer support by email and got a reply from Sunil. His answer was, I should.....'update the appropriate drivers'. Thanks Sunil :sarc:.]

 

[Boozad]

Try the LAN (Local Area Network) driver first. That should do it.

 

[VistaKing]

PCI driver is the INTEL AMT

 

[Pyrus]

Success!

I installed the LAN driver first (Boozad) and that restored the wired internet access and removed the warning triangle from the Ethernet Controller element. Then I installed the Broadcom Wireless LAN driver (Acer has a utility which tells you your hardware vendors) and this removed the warning on Network Controller. Finally I clicked Update Driver on the remaining warning (PCI Simple Communications Controller) and it downloaded something called Intel Management Engine Interface (presumably the same as VistaKing's Intel AMT) and that removed the last warning.

No idea what that last one is about...but it works.

It's amazing how quick the laptop is running, shed of several years' worth of junk, nasties and who knows what else.

Thanks Boozad and VistaKing

 

[Boozad]

Glad all's sorted mate.

 

[Segol123]

I know it all looks confusing but its not. You have all the info you said audio. The audio is easy Realtek there is only one Audio file on the page. Next controller, network, PCI controller, those are all Broadcom Lan drivers. There are only 2 wireless drivers at the bottom. Checkout this website. Specifications for 5741

Laptop Drivers - Laptop Specs: Acer Aspire 5741 Drivers For Windows 7