Solved Dell Inspiron 2330 reverted back to win 7 - missing drivers

[femokie]

I purchased a Dell Inspiron 2330 from a pawn shop - previous owner installed win 7 Ultimate 64-bit (replacing win 8). I got the activation code and downloaded a good copy of win 7 Ult 64-bit (from MS site) to do a fresh install to delete all his stuff !! Big mistake Cannot connect to internet. Multiple drivers out. Found a LAN driver to correct Ethernet driver but still unable to connect. Not very good at OS level diags (more of a "know just enough to be dangerous" type) Any help is appreciated. Have a laptop connected so can download and load via stick. I entered as much info as I could garner in the "System Specs" page of my profile. Thanks.

 

[maxie]

Hi Welcome to Seven Forums ... Go to the Device Manager click on Networking select the missing Driver device .. Right click select Property's/Details Tab .. There will be a Hardware ID there search google for the ID that will tell you which Driver you need .. A list of Drivers for your Computer is in the Link below ...

Product Support | Dell US

You should then run Windows Updates it should find most of your Drivers ..

 

[femokie]

I have update the chipset and LAN. The yellow triangle was fixed on the Ethernet Controller, but I still cannot connect to internet thru my Ethernet connection. Network Controller is an unknown device; as is, PCI Device, PCI Simple Communications Controller and USB Controller. There is also and "Unknown Device" listed. This machine originally came with Win 8, but the previous owner downgraded to win 7 Ultimate 64-bit. I would put win 8 back on, but he removed the product activation sticker. Dell Support Rep told me it is on the motherboard !!!

 

[maxie]

The missing Network Controller is for your WiFi ... Is there any Hardware IDs ? Did you Install the Intel USB 3.0 eXtensible Host Controller Driver and Intel Management Engine Interface Driver ... The PCI Device is the Realtek RTS5209 Card Reader Driver ..

 

[femokie]

I feel really stooopid right now. I unplugged and plugged back in the Ethernet cable. Computer now has internet access. duh! Thanks for all your assistance. I would not have needed this help if I had reset the Ethernet plug yesterday. Running WinUpdt now. Will probably run a couple of hours. lol

 

[maxie]

Yes that is correct there is no COA Key Sticker with Windows 8 .. It is built in to the BIOS ...

 

[maxie]

Most welcome