Solved "Local Area Connection" missing in "Change adapter Settings".. Plz hlp

[chev65]

LAN is missing? What does that mean exactly because the last time I checked LAN = local area network which you can have with either a wireless or wired connection. Missing LAN makes absolutely no sense in this context.

What you are missing is the Ethernet adaptor which appears to not be working anymore which would be a hardware related problem, this has nothing to do with a missing LAN or Windows 7 and has everything to do with hardware failure. Sometimes clearing the cmos will fix this sort of problem.

 

[gregrocker]

So you reinstalled but didn't have the ethernet plugged in? And you now have deliberately turned off wireless (which does work) to troubleshoot ethernet?

Is the wire plugged in now to the modem/router, and does it have a driver in Device Manager? After installing connected to wireless did your run all Important and Optional Windows Updates to see if an Ethernet driver was delivered? If not import it from the Support Downloads webpage for your model PC or device.

Rightclick on Local Area Connection in Change Adapter Settings of Network and Sharing Center, run its Troubleshooter only. Make sure it's enabled there.

 

[vishalsahu]

LAN is missing? What does that mean exactly because the last time I checked LAN = local area network which you can have with either a wireless or wired connection. Missing LAN makes absolutely no sense in this context.

What you are missing is the Ethernet adaptor which appears to not be working anymore which would be a hardware related problem, this has nothing to do with a missing LAN or Windows 7 and has everything to do with hardware failure. Sometimes clearing the cmos will fix this sort of problem.

Hello , I mean the Wired Connection Problem. Can u tell more as how to clean CMOS?

 

[gregrocker]

Clear CMOS - 3 Ways to Clear the CMOS - Reset BIOS

Take note of the SATA controller setting first. It will need to be set to same afterwards.

 

[vishalsahu]

So you reinstalled but didn't have the ethernet plugged in? And you now have deliberately turned off wireless (which does work) to troubleshoot ethernet?

Is the wire plugged in now to the modem/router, and does it have a driver in Device Manager? After installing connected to wireless did your run all Important and Optional Windows Updates to see if an Ethernet driver was delivered? If not import it from the Support Downloads webpage for your model PC or device.

Rightclick on Local Area Connection in Change Adapter Settings of Network and Sharing Center, run its Troubleshooter only. Make sure it's enabled there.

Yes Greg, I re-installed without the wire plugged in. and delibrately turned off wireless to troubleshoot wired connection.

and about the driver in Device Manager. I have posted one screenshot. There is No existence of ethernet there.. so no chance of driver being installed.

 

[gregrocker]

Reboot the PC and tap the Dell F2 key to access BIOS setup. Browse carefully through each tab to see if you can see LAN settings for the ethernet connection which have been changed. Then reset BIOS to Defaults, save changes and exit.

Does the ethernet adapter show up in Device Manager now? Try on the View tab enabling Hidden Devices.

Next enable wireless driver and run Windows Updates repeatedly with reboots to install all IMportant and Optional Updates in the hope it will provide the missing driver.

In addition plug in the ethernet cable and watch closely for activity in the bottom-right System Tray. Then unplug the router and model and plug each back in. Try plugging ethernet to both the router and the modem while watching for activity on SysTray.

Do you have a phone plugged in that's needing those CDC drivers? Have you checked the Dell Support Downloads webpage for your tag number to see if there are drivers for that, or tried another LAN driver provided? I would reinstall the chipset and then try all LAN drivers.

 

[vishalsahu]

Reboot the PC and tap the Dell F2 key to access BIOS setup. Browse carefully through each tab to see if you can see LAN settings for the ethernet connection which have been changed. Then reset BIOS to Defaults, save changes and exit.

Does the ethernet adapter show up in Device Manager now? Try on the View tab enabling Hidden Devices.

Next enable wireless driver and run Windows Updates repeatedly with reboots to install all IMportant and Optional Updates in the hope it will provide the missing driver.

In addition plug in the ethernet cable and watch closely for activity in the bottom-right System Tray. Then unplug the router and model and plug each back in. Try plugging ethernet to both the router and the modem while watching for activity on SysTray.

Do you have a phone plugged in that's needing those CDC drivers? Have you checked the Dell Support Downloads webpage for your tag number to see if there are drivers for that, or tried another LAN driver provided? I would reinstall the chipset and then try all LAN drivers.

Hey Greg I'm delighted to tell you. "It worked" . I follwed your above mentioned instructions and inspected the BIOS options. I found there that the NIC card was DISABLED. I quickly enabled it . and Its Done. thanks a Ton

 

[mitchell65]

Delighted to see that this one is now resolved. Ten out of Ten again Greg!
vishalsahu Perhaps you would now like to edit your System specs to show the correct OS!

 

[Kari]

Once again a good example how important it is to follow the given instructions to the letter. Happy to see OP's issue resolved, nice work again, Greg.

Kari

 

[mjolby]

same problem

LAN adapter cannot be found and I do not know how to uninstall the windows 7 SP1 upgrade

 

[gregrocker]

Look in Device Manager to see what devices are listed under Network Adapters, click on them to see if they are working correctly.

Look also in Device Manager for any devices without a driver as symbolized by a !, or any Unknown Devices or Controllers that are missing their drivers.

Install the LAN driver for your model PC or LAN device or Motherboard from its Support Downloads webpage

Report back on each step.