No Driver for Network Adapter?

[Exemer]

I was running my computer on Windows XP and it more or less crashed on me so I decided it was time to upgrade to Windows 7.
I did a custom load and everything and it is loading fine for the most part but I cant seem to get an internet connection. I'm using a LAN and the same ether net cord plugged into the same outlet gives my laptop connection no problem but nothing for the desktop.
I tried everything I can think of but with no internet connection how am I supposed to get the drivers I need?
If anyone may have a solution to my problem I would be in your debt.

 

[Lemur]

Welcome to SF, Exemer! You will need to provide a specific name/model to go along with Alienware.

You will need to download the driver from another computer, save it to CD/DVD or usb device, and load it from there.

 

[Exemer]

It is one of the Aurora series, can't recall exactly what model.
Any idea what driver I will need and where to get it?

 

[Lemur]

Make a copy of $msnfo32.nfo, zip it, and attach it here.

**EDIT** You should also be able to look at the back of your computer and see the model.

 

[Exemer]

I found the model, it's an Aurora 3500-R4 but, I can't figure out where this $msnfo32.nfo file is at.

***Edit*** Maybe is is it?

 

[RedsennaCy]

I'm having the same issue, let me know how this goes and if the drivers work.

Drivers didn't work for my Win 7 64 bit Ultimate

 

[Lemur]

I found the model, it's an Aurora 3500-R4 but, I can't figure out where this $msnfo32.nfo file is at.

***Edit*** Maybe is is it?

Sorry, but the file ends in nfo, not exe.

You could also run SIW for hardware information:

SIW Freeware - free software download and software review - system information tool from SnapFiles

 

[stormy13]

I found the model, it's an Aurora 3500-R4

Doesn't help much as using that doesn't return anything useful,

alienware Aurora 3500-R4 - Google Search

Wouldn't happen to have a service number tag on the computer somewhere would it? If so you can go here,

Dell - Drivers and Downloads

enter the service tag number and find out what is in it.

 

[Lemur]

Good grief. I went to Alienware's site, and the download page does NOT list by model. This is the strangest thing.

Alienware : The Ultimate Gaming Machine

I forgot, they are sold by Dell. Thanks, Stormy. And, as Stormy indicated, we need a service tag #.

http://support.dell.com/support/downloads/index.aspx?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs

 

[karlsnooks]

Exemer,
Microsoft Fix it Solution Center
Windows 7 Solution Center

WIN | type troubleshooting | click on Troubleshooting in the Control Panel section

Click on Network and Internet


WIN is the key with the wavy flag on it.

 

[Exemer]

Will this work?

 

[stormy13]

Good grief. I went to Alienware's site, and the download page does NOT list by model. This is the strangest thing.

Great isn't it? You have to know exactly who made what in it in order to download anything. You would think with what they charge for those things they would at least have a decent download page.

And it isn't any better on Dell's page either. You go through everything to get to the generic (for lack of a better term) Aurora page,

Drivers & Downloads

and it lists 5 different network drivers.

Exemer that Txt file didn't work. Try it again only this time save it as HTML.

 

[Lemur]

Exemer that Txt file didn't work. Try it again only this time save it as HTML.

You can change the extension as html. It provides all info EXCEPT network card. Argh!

 

[Exemer]

It wont let me upload a HTML file so i copied everything it said onto a txt file.
Also, as far as Service Number tag I haven't been able to find one.

 

[stormy13]

OK that worked. Not much info there but it does at least list the chipset, NF-MCP55, which is from the old Nforce 5 series. That being the case this,

NVIDIA DRIVERS 15.53 WHQL

should work as a start, and after installed hopefully the rest of the info will show up. One thing Exemer, when you install it select custom install and do not install the Nvidia "Network Management Tools". One thing you will find out with doing a custom install as well is if the network driver in that package is the correct one for that motherboard or not, as if it is will be in the list of drivers to choose, iof not it won't be in the list.

P.S. You're also missing the sound driver, but we can cross that bridge once we get the rest of the drivers installed.

 

[Exemer]

I installed the driver twice and there doesn't seem to be any change. Also, there was no option for a custom install or a Network management tool. Might there be something i need to do to turn on the driver or something?

 

[Lemur]

Ok, if SIW doesn't do it, how about:

HWiNFO32 Download

Gotta find out what the NIC is.

Did you buy this computer from Dell?

 

[karlsnooks]

Exemer,
Don't be mislead by the title. This will probably provide the info regarding your system.
Belarc Advisor - Free Personal PC Audit

 

[Exemer]

I bought it from AlienWare. Weather or not Dell build it; I'm unsure.

 

[stormy13]

And that one doesn't shown it either. It does at least show that it has the Realtek ALC882 of which you can find the latest driver for here,

http://www.sevenforums.com/sound-audio/3756-latest-realtek-hd-audio-driver-version.html

Edit: Just had a better look at that log and it lists the motherboard as the Foxconn N570SM2AA. Now Foxconn does have a retail version of that board,

Foxconn - Products: Motherboard

which has the Dual Marvell 88E1116 PHY for its network control. Unfortunately they don't list a separate driver for it, so I am assuming that it is included in the chipset driver package they have listed (which is quite a bit older than the one from Nvidia I linked too).

What does it show under Network Adapters in Device Manager? Also anything under "Unknown devices"? For either of which is showing right lick on them and select Properties, then click on the Details tab and from the dropdown select "Hardware IDs and post a screen shot of them.