How do I connect to Wi-Fi when my laptop can only connect to ethernet?

[protocolcode0]

For some reason, my computer has been only connecting to ethernet recently. And I don't know what's going on, except for the fact that I recently performed a factory reset on my computer, and for some reason it caused a few problems on my laptop, most of which were fixed eventually though. However, I couldn't actually get it to connect with Wi-Fi networks, and it will only let me connect to Ethernet. Thank you very much for helping.

 

[gregrocker]

Enable Automatically deliver drivers via Windows Update (Step 3)
then Check for Updates, install all Important and Optional Updates. After requested reboots keep checking back for more Updates until they are all done.

Look in Device Manager to make sure Wireless driver is installed and functional.

Rightclick on the network icon in System Tray, open Network and Sharing Center, click on Change Adapter Settings, make sure Wireless adapter is enabled. If so rightclick to run its Troubleshooter.

The factory WIn7 is an inferior install larded with bloatware and duplicate utilties which interfere with better versions built into Win7. Most tech enthusiasts prefer to Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7. At the minimum I'd Clean Up Factory Bloatware.

 

[protocolcode0]

How can I connect a CyberPower computer to the Internet after factory

My brother’s computer is a CyberPower computer, not sure what model. I just factory reset it, and when Windows was reinstalled, the computer couldn’t connect to the Internet. The Ethernet drivers are unable to be found on the computer. I need to get the computer able to connect to the Internet and I don’t know how to do it. Also the computer is really low-res and expanded and I can’t figure out how to disable that. Please help.

 

[gregrocker]

Factory reset is an inferior install with all the bloatware and utilities so it would be better to start over to Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7.

Otherwise go to the Support Downloads webpage for your model PC or ethernet device to download to CD or stick and install the Ethernet driver. If you need the device make and model because there is no PC downloads page and it is not listed in Device Manager, use Hardware Identification to trace it to google and downoad the driver from its Support Downloads webpage.

Once online enable Automatically deliver drivers via Windows Update (Step 3) and then Check for Updates to install all rounds of Important and Optional Updates with reboots as requested. After reboot go right back to Check for UPdates until there are no more. Then if any drivers are still missing in Device Manager import them the same way you did the Ethernet driver.

Everything needed to get and keep a perfect install is in Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7 . If you stick with the bloated factory preinstall then I would at the minimum Clean Up Factory Bloatware

 

[protocolcode0]

Factory reset is an inferior install with all the bloatware and utilities so it would be better to start over to Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7.

Otherwise go to the Support Downloads webpage for your model PC or ethernet device to download to CD or stick and install the Ethernet driver. If you need the device make and model because there is no PC downloads page and it is not listed in Device Manager, use Hardware Identification to trace it to google and downoad the driver from its Support Downloads webpage.

Once online enable Automatically deliver drivers via Windows Update (Step 3) and then Check for Updates to install all rounds of Important and Optional Updates with reboots as requested. After reboot go right back to Check for UPdates until there are no more. Then if any drivers are still missing in Device Manager import them the same way you did the Ethernet driver.

Everything needed to get and keep a perfect install is in Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7 . If you stick with the bloated factory preinstall then I would at the minimum Clean Up Factory Bloatware

Yeah I tried that and that's what caused the problem in the first place.

 

[gregrocker]

What caused the problem exactly? You said you ran Factory Recovery not a Clean Reinstall.

It says in Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7 to put your network driver in the backup so you can get install it to get online if it isn't provided by the installer and ready to connect after install.

But you said that you ran Factory Reset which is not at all a Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7, and any Factory Recovery should always provide the network driver. Rightclick the network icon in bottom right System Tray to Troubleshoot. Report back results.

 

[protocolcode0]

I just did the clean install, and it doesn't bring the ethernet drivers back.

 

[gregrocker]

That's why it says in Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7 to put your Network driver in your backup so that you can install it to get online if it isn't provided during install.

I then went through fifteen minutes typing out how to locate and install your Network driver above, to which you replied "Yeah I tried that and that's what caused the problem in the first place."

If you want further help at the top tech site on the web then you need to focus on completing the steps which you are ignoring and ask back relevant questions to get them done. If you're the slightest bit more insulting, you'll get no further help at all. We have dozens of others wanting help who are cooperative.

 

[protocolcode0]

I'm sorry if I seem insulting. It wasn't meant to come out that way, I just don't understand the concepts that well, since I'm kind of new to it. Thanks for helping.

 

[gregrocker]

Ask back any questions you have as you complete each step given to locate the driver.

 

[protocolcode0]

Ask back any questions you have as you complete each step given to locate the driver.

Can you please explain the steps? I don't really understand them. Thank you very much.

 

[gregrocker]

Type Device Manager in the Start Search box just above the rb: button.

Open the Device Manager and look under Network Adapters. Type out exactly what you see listed there, the make and model. Then rightclick on the network adapter to Update Driver, select Automatic to see if it finds one.

If there is not make or model adapter listed there look for other devices which are in error showing a yellow exclamation mark and report back what each of these are.

I also need to know what type of Recovery you ran. Exactly how was it run and what did it do?

Finally look on the back of the PC to find the model number. If it isn't clear which is the model number then type out everything on the Cyberpower sticker. Is there also a Win7 COA sticker showing a Product Key that's readable?

Answer each question please.

 

[protocolcode0]

Type Device Manager in the Start Search box just above the rb: button.

Open the Device Manager and look under Network Adapters. Type out exactly what you see listed there, the make and model. Then rightclick on the network adapter to Update Driver, select Automatic to see if it finds one.

If there is not make or model adapter listed there look for other devices which are in error showing a yellow exclamation mark and report back what each of these are.

I also need to know what type of Recovery you ran. Exactly how was it run and what did it do?

Finally look on the back of the PC to find the model number. If it isn't clear which is the model number then type out everything on the Cyberpower sticker. Is there also a Win7 COA sticker showing a Product Key that's readable?

Answer each question please.

The only device that is missing drivers is the Network Controller under Other devices. None others are marked with a yellow exclamation mark. When I right click on the Network Controller and I allow it to automatically update the drivers, it says it wasn't able to find anything.

I don't know what you mean by what Recovery I ran. I downloaded an ISO file from the Internet, and I burned it onto a DVD and I loaded it on my computer.

By the way, my computer is a Dell Studio 1558. I got mixed up with the different threads, which is why I posted CyberPower instead of Dell. Also I can connect to the Internet, but as of now I can only do so via Ethernet.

 

[Computer0304]

I found a website with the drivers. Drivers & Downloads | Dell US but i am not sure if you could download them without a internet connection. So try connecting to ethernet and download the necessary drivers. If this is too hard for you to do yourself, please dont hesitate to ask for help.

 

[Computer0304]

Itshould be under network.

 

[Computer0304]

But remember to backup before, in case something goes wrong.

 

[gregrocker]

With Dell you'd want to input your Service Tag number from the Dell sticker on PC into the box given at http://www.dell.com/support/drivers/us/en/19/DriversHome/ShowProductSelector?fkey=Drivers_PS

Confirm it brings up the model you have, then browse 64 bit Win7 drivers for the LAN or Wireless driver you need, download and install it.

If it only extracts to C:/Dell/Drivers, browse into its folder to rightclick Setup to Run as Admin.