Problems with Belkin Powerline and no LAN

[cryptogram]

I have a desktop and in the distance in the same house a laptop, both on W7. I'm trying to connect the laptop to the internet via a Belkin Powerline. Sometimes it works but not always. I've consulted Belkin who have come to the conclusion that there is no facility on my computer to set up a LAN (it does not show in the list of option in Network and Sharing Centre). I'm mystified because why does it work sometimes but not others, and why does my laptop not have this facility anyway?

 

[Kaktussoft]

What EXACT option are you missing?

Belkin Powerline is connected to laptop using a network cable.
The other Belkin Powerline is connect to router using a network cable.... correct???

Please connect another laptop to the powerline... same problem?
Connect the laptop directly to the router using a network cable... same problem?

 

[cryptogram]

What EXACT option are you missing? If I go to Control Panel/Network & Sharing Centre, the option to use LAN does not appear.

Belkin Powerline is connected to laptop using a network cable. Yes
The other Belkin Powerline is connect to router using a network cable.... correct??? Yes

Please connect another laptop to the powerline... same problem? I don't know yet. I'll have to get another laptop from somewhere!

Connect the laptop directly to the router using a network cable... same problem?

Yes

 

[Kaktussoft]

What EXACT option are you missing? If I go to Control Panel/Network & Sharing Centre, the option to use LAN does not appear.

Belkin Powerline is connected to laptop using a network cable. Yes
The other Belkin Powerline is connect to router using a network cable.... correct??? Yes

Please connect another laptop to the powerline... same problem? I don't know yet. I'll have to get another laptop from somewhere!

Connect the laptop directly to the router using a network cable... same problem?

Yes

You say yes to ALL questions?

Connect the laptop directly to the router using a network cable... same problem?

 

[cryptogram]

Yes!

 

[Kaktussoft]

"Connect the laptop directly to the router using a network cable... same problem?". Your answer: Yes

So even without the belkin powerline it's not working!! Why are you blaming belkin??

Did you attach another laptop/desktop to that cable?=>If both fail.... not a laptop problem.

Did you try another cable?=>if both fail.... not a cable problem

Post results

 

[cryptogram]

I'm not exactly blaming Belkin. All I'm saying is that there's something wrong and I can't work out what it is. Belkin reckons that I don't have anything on the laptop that allows me to set up a LAN, and I can see that. So why don't I?

I have looked further and note that there does not seem to be anything in the drivers on the laptop that will allow this. The ethernet controller is not working, but I don't seem to be able to gt any other drivers.

 

[Kaktussoft]

Did you do #6 already?

You think it's the laptop that's faulty... so THAT cable just works fine in the desktop?

Post screenshot of "device manager" with branch "network adapters" expanded.

The ethernet controller is not working, but I don't seem to be able to gt any other drivers.

Without a working ethernet controller it doesn't work of course

 

[cryptogram]

Of course. How to get an ethernet controler

 

[Kaktussoft]

Of course. How to get an ethernet controler

Still waiting for screenshot #8

Give hardware-id of "network controller" see http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/96442-device-manager-finding-unknown-devices.html
Any other decies with exclamation marks?

 

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All well now, Kaktussoft. Thanks a bundle for your help.

 

[Kaktussoft]

All well now, Kaktussoft. Thanks a bundle for your help.

What was the problem? What has fixed it?

 

[cryptogram]

You directed me on how to get the hardware ID using Device Manager and I ended up on driveridentifier.com site from where I got the driver I wanted. Mind you, I had to steer an uneasy path around spurious downloads for music and other stuff but got there in the end. Works fine now. Thanks again.

 

[Kaktussoft]

You directed me on how to get the hardware ID using Device Manager and I ended up on driveridentifier.com site from where I got the driver I wanted. Mind you, I had to steer an uneasy path around spurious downloads for music and other stuff but got there in the end. Works fine now. Thanks again.

I thought told me it "sometimes worked"? Without a driver it never works

 

[cryptogram]

Yes, I did say that and I hear what you say. However, I sometimes found that emails had arrived and they can't have arrived without an internet connection. I am as mystified by that as you are.