Missing Network Adapter Driver after Installing Win 7

[Frenchmanfl]

Hi everyone,

First, I would consider myself a solid PC user ( added memory, exchanged or added HD's etc), but by no means am I an expert.

So here is my problem...my son's HP Pavilion G4 with an AMD A6-4400M processor and a Atheros AR5B125 Chipset, was loaded with death nail virus scanners that essentially have been preventing him from being able to do his homework ( the laptop was purchased and used at my Ex-Wife's so this is the first time I have ever set eyes on it. It had Win8 installed.) I said I would help, thinking that the install would go as smoothly as every other OS install that I have ever done.

I only have Win7 install disks, so I decided that, rather than try to fiddle around for hours on end trying to root out all of these scanners, I would simply do a fresh Win7 Install.

Unfortunately, this install did not go as smoothly as hoped. The OS is running etc but I have lost all of the drivers. My primary concern, right now, is getting connected to the web.

I have gone through the windows troubleshoot and identified the correct driver through the device manager ( gives me the " driver found but can't install ). I have tried downloading HP driver packs and even tried to slip inf files into Win32 ( and the Wow file that was recommended for 64 bit - both options downloaded onto a flash drive on another machine ). Nothing has worked.

I also tried deleting the network adapter by right clicking on it in device manager and then rebooting in the hopes that windows would detect it was missing and re-install. No luck!

I have also been to the mfg site ( Atheros ) and they take me to an "unofficial" site that has download packs for everything but no .exe to help along. It's designed for programmers or admins, which I am not.

While I am no way near the point of serious worry, I was trying to save my ex from having to go to best buy and paying for someone to clean my son's machine. With no web connection ( including wifi ) and no applications, the machine is a useless as it was with all of the scanners.

Windows is identifying the adapter as an " Atheros L2 Fast Ethernet 10/100 baseT " which seems a little generic.

Please save me from a potential nightmare.

Thank you all in advance.

 

[maxie]

Hi Welcome to Seven Forums .. What is the exact HP Model Number ... ?

Below is the Wireless Driver ...


https://www.atheros.cz/atheros-wireless-download.php?chipset=70&system=5

 

[Frenchmanfl]

Hi Maxie,

I really appreciate your quick response.

I would be grateful if you could provide some quick instructions on the suggested way to get this installed. I tried downloading this file and have done it again, unfortunately I have no idea what files to copy to the laptop and where to copy them to. I am afraid that I am a .exe guy only.

I am afraid that I am not able to drill down any further than HP Pavilion G4, as it relates to the model#.

Hopefully you don't mind spoon feeding me on the instruction and I would welcome any info you might have on getting the hard line ethernet connection lit as well.

Again, thank you very much for your rapid response and assistance.

Patrick

 

[maxie]

It is a Zip File first Unpack it ... Then go to the Network Adapter update Driver ..

Let me choose the Location ..

And point it to the path of the INF File ..

 

[Frenchmanfl]

You sir, are a gentlemen and a scholar. It worked!!!!! THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!! I will now get to all of the other drivers needed. I might chime back if I need assistance but I think I should be able to figure it all out now. Have a great weekend and thanks again.

 

[maxie]

Most welcome .. Go to the System Information your Model Number might be there ...

Also run Windows Updates it should Install most Drivers ..

 

[Frenchmanfl]

Hi Maxie,

The smile has been replaced with quite a different expression and I am hoping you can assist, again. I apologize for leaning on you.

For some reason the laptop froze ( when trying to open Win Explorer - Browser ). I had to reboot and forgot to take out the win 7 install disc. I cancelled the operation and removed the disc. When rebooting again ( hoping to get to the OS ) and was met with a DOS message, asking me to insert a boot disc. I had no other choice but to do another fresh install. However, now my HD has gone complete missing and the installation doesn't recognize anything to install the OS on.



As was the case before, I still have two machines available to download whatever driver is needed to put on a flash drive. I am sure the net book model # is not going to help and while I saw the hard drive when I took the limited cover off to determine the chipset etc, the only coding on it was unrecognized on a Google search. I used to see semiconductors and, drives came into demand from time to time, so I am pretty good at identifying part numbers. Unfortunately, the limited access area where the cover is removable without fuss, also offers limited information. I am hoping that getting a hard drive driver is of a more generic nature than what was needed to get the WiFi going.

I thought I was off and running, that it would be unnecessary to expend the time or kindness of anyone else, unfortunately, here I return, in search of further assistance. I need your expert assistance and apologize for taxing your patience.

Any help you can offer would be greatly appreciated.

Patrick

 

[maxie]

Hi Patrick ... Boot into the BIOS to see if the Drive is detected .. If it is change mode from sata to ahci ...

 

[Frenchmanfl]

I consider myself quite lucky that a gent at, almost 1am, is kind enough to be responding. I tried booting into the BIOS and am now being told that the drive is essentially fried. It's possible that this is the case but why was everything working before? In short, I can't get into BIOS. For a moment there after fiddling, I actually got into the OS and was re-installing the wifi driver, got on line then the system crashed again.

I guess I am now going to have to search for a hard.

What started as a project to help has turned into a very difficult situation. Not cool!

Again, though, I greatly appreciate your kindness and assistance.

Stay well, my friend, and make sure to get a decent nights rest.

 

[gregrocker]

Are you following http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/219487-clean-reinstall-factory-oem-windows-7-a.html#post1839164 which explains how drivers are handled in red so it can't be missed?

Be sure to read the Special Note to HP Owners since most modern HP's have a Minimal Recovery which is almost the same as the Clean Reinstall and you still might be able to run that from F11 key. If not boot into F12 to see if Diagnostics will run to check your hardware. If so, keep only that OEM Tools partition and delete all others, follow the steps to reinstall correctly.

 

[maxie]

Hi Patrick .. It is a shame if you need to replace the Drive ... If you follow Gregrocker Tutorial you should get the perfect Insulation ...Please keep us Posted with your progress ...

 

[Frenchmanfl]

I have done countless reinstalls and never had a problem so, unfortunately, I didn't look for any special instructions. I did remove all partitions except for the C: drive when I was doing the reinstall. Everything was working fine until I left the disc in and the system tried to boot from the disc, I cancelled it because it was going to do another fresh install.

Now I am showing no drive at all and when I try to do an F11 or F12, I get an "imminent failure" message about the drive but it then asks me to back everything up, to save my data. In other words, I can't get into the BIOS to boot from the C: nor am I allowed to do a recovery or reinstall because I am no longer showing a drive on which to install.

I may be wrong but the only conclusion I can draw is that the HD is dead.

With that said, I have been able to get to DOS x:\windows\system32> but I have no idea what to do from this point. It is also showing Microsoft Windows [version 6.1.7601].

Everything was working fine. I had wifi going and was ready to install all of the other drivers, so I did get into win 7, was able to install the driver for wifi and then, after the boot attempt from disc, everything went haywire. If I had screwed up the initial install, I am not sure if I would have gotten to the point where I could install the wifi driver, correct? I genuinely don't know.

Thank you.

Patrick

 

[Frenchmanfl]

Let me rephrase, I am able to launch a recovery / repair but it fails because it doesn't have a drive to point to, so it just stops.

 

[maxie]

Does F10 or F9 not work ?..

 

[gregrocker]

I gave you specific instructions to try to run the drive Diagnostics via ESC or F12 key at boot. If it won't run then run the maker's HD Diagnostic extended CD scan which will tell you the condition of the drive and possibly repair it. But I'd never trust it again so its probably best to replace it and then follow the steps to get a perfect install like a million others who've used it without a single complaint or subsequent issue.

The best Upgrade one can have today is an SSD which will be faster than any high-end gaming PC without one. We see these online regularly for around $50 per 120gb.

 

[Frenchmanfl]

I managed to get to the BIOS etc menu by hitting esc, which then allowed me to F10, F12 etc., went into the BIOS and even disabled the boot from disc option. Nothing worked.

HD is clearly fried.

Thank you GregRocker and Maxie for your assistance. I appreciate the advice on looking into a Solid State Drive. This would dramatically reduce the heat issue as well. I hadn't considered that option.

Thanks again, to you both.

 

[maxie]

A new Drive and you should be good to go again ....

 

[gregrocker]

Overheating is dealt with in the Troubleshooting steps under the wave pic below.