No network drivers (ethernet or wireless) after fresh install

[reipince]

Hi,

I got an Acer Aspire V5-572G laptop. It came with Windows 8, which I ended up hating, so I reverted to Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit by installing a fresh copy from a CD (well, from USB, but that's irrelevant).

After installing, I cannot connect to wireless nor ethernet. I cannot see any wireless networks. If I connect my ethernet cable, the laptop still thinks there's no connection.

If I open a command line and type ipconfig, I get:

> ipconfig
Windows IP Configuration

Ethernet adapter Bluetooth Network Connection:
   ...redacted...

Tunnel adapter isatap.<some-redacted-serial>:
   ...redacted...

If I go to Device Manager, I see a bunch of things under "Other devices". These are devices that seem to be missing drivers:
- 3D Video Controller
- Ethernet Controller
- Network Controller
- PCI Device
- PCI Simple Communications Controller
- SM Bus Controller
- Universal Serial Bus (USB) Controller

I also see two devices under the Network adapters list:
- Bluetooth Device (Personal Area Network) -- this is probably what shows up on ipconfig
- Bluetooth Device (RFCOMM Protocol TDI)

So... seems like I just have to get some drivers! I went to Acer's website and searched for my laptop model. They only have Windows 8 drivers. Unfortunately the Acer driver website is not deep-linkable, but here is a mirror of the drivers it offers:
Acer Aspire Aspire V5-572, V5-572G Notebook Windows 8 Driver, Utility, Manual | Notebook Driver & Software

I downloaded the Wireless LAN drivers (both Atheros and Broadcom) on my other computer and copied them over through a USB drive. I went to Device Manager -> Right click on Network Controller -> Properties -> Update Driver -> Browse my computer for driver software -> Selected path. Windows was unable to install your Network Controller.

I guess it makes sense, since they're Windows 8 drivers. My questions:

- I need to find Windows 7 drivers. How do I find out what kind of hardware I have so I can find the right drivers? The laptop's casing says "Acer Nplify 802.11a/b/g/n + BT 4.0" but that hasn't been very useful.
- In what "category" (see link above) should I expect to find the ethernet drivers? Is it "Lan"?

I'm reasonably tech-savvy (software engineer), so you can talk to me in technical terms. I just don't know too much about Windows and drivers in general. Thanks a lot!

 

[Bongo]

Welcome to the Seven Forums

Here is a tutorial that may help you identify the hardware http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/73420-hardware-identification.html

You may have some trouble getting that laptop to work with Windows 7 being it came with Windows 8, the link you provided for drivers was not an official Acer website here is an official Acer website Acer | Download

Jerry

 

[diplo]

Bongos advice is going to be best, first identify the manufacturer. Then try the windows 8 driver once you know the right manufactuer (I.E. Broadcom vs Atheros). If those don't work try going directly to the manufacturer and see if you can get the driver form them (not acer). Good luck!