Solved Limited Internet Connectivity, windows wont detect networking hardware

[clockwork squid]

I found two different ones that said broadcom in the description.
One is R197396
I installed and ran it and the laptop still will not get online.
The second is R197396
I installed and ran it and it gave me "Error Setup.rul1725
And still not online. :-(

 

[Darryl Licht]

Do you have access to a usb network card? Perhaps a friend could loan you one?

 

[clockwork squid]

Would a little cheapie like this do?
http://www.amazon.com/2-0-USB-Bluetooth-Wireless-eMachine/dp/B003ULJU2A/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top
I could buy one..

 

[Darryl Licht]

That's a Bluetooth adapter not a wireless network 802.11g or 802.11n adapter!

 

[clockwork squid]

Oh rats. I typed wireless adapter card in and that came up. Lol.

 

[clockwork squid]

this one?
Mini USB LAN Wifi Adapter:Amazon:Electronics
Sorry, this is obviously not my strong suit, and am attempting all this on my tiny phone that's hard to read..

 

[Darryl Licht]

It's your money... but a no name is pretty much garbage! I'd stick with well known names in networking products such as; netgear, linksys, d-link, trendnet, etc. If a company isnt proud enough of their name to advertise on the product, it probably isnt worth buying in the first place!

Also, why not buy one locally then return it later after using it to test with???

 

[clockwork squid]

Good idea.
So I just need it to test connections, or get online long enough to download a driver or something, is that correct?

I was looking through my computer and the folder :" Network and internet -> internet connections" is empty.
I can't remember if that is the problem we are working with but I thought I would mention it. Just incase.

 

[Darryl Licht]

Didnt you say this is a Dell? You are sure that wifi is turned on... right?

 

[clockwork squid]

I believe so. It says wireless is limited and goes through all the attempts to connect.
I was just rooting around and found something called the base system device and it has no driver.
In the device instance path after DEV_ it has 2381, 2382, and 2383.
Do you know what that would be on the dell driver download site?

 

[Darryl Licht]

Can you post a screen shot of the entire device manager screen for your PC?

 

[clockwork squid]

i photoshoped some of the panels together to show more info if that helps.
here are the three screenshots of the unnamed devices (that seems to be the root of the problem?)
thank you

 

[Darryl Licht]

Looks like you (or your friend) didnt install the chipset drivers for the mobo in that Dell!

 

[clockwork squid]

Do you know where I can download them from and how I figure out which I need?

 

[Darryl Licht]

For any Dell you go to Dell.com, specifically here: Drivers and Downloads | Dell [United States] type in your service tag# (on a sticker affixed to PC) then choose your OS, then download the drivers listed there! Dell is one of the best OEMs for finding drivers!

Once you download, you either install, or the exe file will extract itself to a directory and then you must install from there.

 

[clockwork squid]

The dell website was kinda non specific about what I needed, so I downloaded and installed everything they had for the dell mini 9 and windows 7. I was being systematic about it for a while and then freaked out and just installed everything. ...for three days nothing. Then poof! It's connecting! now I have to figure out what junk I put on there that I don't need. >_<
THANK YOU GUYS!
I want to send you both cards only I'm sure you'd rather not give your address to a stranger.
Yaaaaaaay!

 

[Darryl Licht]

Sounds like a Windows HW update needed to be applied after you got all the correct drivers installed. Glad you got it, glad I could assist!

If you think Dell's support/download site is bad, you should see most other OEM support sites! Dell's is one of the best for finding and downloading drivers!