Solved Reformat gone bad - please help

[arayfo1]

That's the confusing part, Greg. Each time that I 'uninstall' a driver (from device manager) and reinstall one of the two drivers that I showed you in the screenshot I provided and I check the device manager again it shows each time that I have a REALTEK driver. I will look at the site now and compare the file names.

Where would I find 'optional' ??

The drivers for that Wireless Device are here: REALTEK - Download driver for RTL8185 and Windows. Compare the Vista 64 bit with the one installed now. Windows Update could offer a newer one, and may already have under Optional.

Yesterday you said you'd imported these network adapter drivers from the Acer site but there is no Realtek download for that model Acer M3202 desktop here: Acer | Download

Is it possible the driver came during Win7 install, from Realtek site, Windows Updates or the disk your Mom found? Compare it with the official Realtek website download which has Vista as the latest.

 

[Slartybart]

Troubleshooting will be impossible unless we change one thing at a time, verify it, then test

 

[arayfo1]

Okay, I'll wait on the driver. What's next?

No, please do not do anything else.

 

[Slartybart]

Greg, I'm begging you

let me get through with the steps I'm taking.

 

[Slartybart]

Now, let's see if we can get ethernet connected.

Plug an Ethernet cable in the Windows 7 machine and connect the other end to a jack on the Wireless Cable modem/router.

and then post a new Network and Sharing screenshot

 

[arayfo1]

I guess we'll have to pause for now if this is the next step, because unfortunately my stepdad is using the wifi signal at the moment for netflix. I will post the screenshot as soon as possible.

Good, the wired config is correct.

Now, let's see if we can get ethernet connected.

Plug an Ethernet cable in the Win7 machine and connect the other end to a jack on the Wireless Cable modem/router.

and then post a new Network and Shraing screenshot

 

[Slartybart]

Do you have an ethernet cable?

If netflix is on wireless, a wired connection won't bother that.

 

[Slartybart]

I'm not sure what cable/modem/router you have or what is connected to it.

If there is an available jack on the cable/mode/router and you have an extra Ethernet cable, you can connect the Win7 machine without disturbing the movie

 

[Slartybart]

From time to time, I'll post a status of where we are so the folks viewing the thread don't have to scroll back.

You don't have to do anything if I post a status update, Ok

I'll try to remember to keep the same format as below.

Status update:
verified: Wired IPv4 configuration
verified: Wireless IPv4 configuration

 

[arayfo1]

I connected the ethernet cable to the Win7 pc and I currently have internet. Why do I have internet this time as opposed to the countless other times Ive tried plugging in directly? I'm not sure, but the only thing I did differently was this time I used the ethernet cable which was plugged directly into the Win8 machine. What was I plugging in before? I was plugging in the ethernet cable that was plugged into the TIVO wireless device (I'm not sure what it's actually called but I can take a pic if you would like). So apparetly that ethernet cable is not a universal one. Why did I not use the ethernet cable that was plugged into the Win8 machine before now? Because each time I tried I my stepdad acted like I was gonna damage something irreparably. To give you an idea of what I mean, I did it anyway this time and he got mad and stormed out of the room.

Anyways, I will post the screenshot of the wired IP4 config in just a moment.

I'm not sure what cable/modem/router you have or what is connected to it.

If there is an available jack on the cable/mode/router and you have an extra Ethernet cable, you can connect the Win7 machine without disturbing the movie

 

[Slartybart]

I guess we're in a holding pattern.

I'll take a smoke break.

arayfo1: the next post I want to see is a new Network and Sharing screenshot with a wired connection.

other SF members: If we want to succeed in the least amount of time, please don't touch anything while I'm gone
I know it's tempting and there a lots of things to check (many have been), but please let this path be walked step-by-step. We will check everything in a proper troubleshooting order.

 

[Slartybart]

Welll what do you know!

That's great - ethernet works

 

[Slartybart]

Ok, smoke break - putting up the do not disturb sign for my other 7Fcolleagues

Be back in 10 minutes

DO
NOT
DISTURB​

 

[arayfo1]

Yeah, I'm attempting to install what appears to be 1 of 4 windows updates before I disconnect the ethernet. It's kind of slow going, but I will report to you when I'm done. Not unless you want to skip the updates for now.

I wonder if it wouldn't be better to restart and then go ahead with the updates.

Welll what do you know!

That's great - ethernet works

 

[Slartybart]

Ok, I undertand having to return the cable.

Did you do the Windows Updates (WU) while I was gone?

Not a problem if they didn't get done, just getting a status.

We can try a differnt workaround for the wireless if using the cable causes any tension at home.

The 1st opportunity you have - go buy an ethernet cable to use on the Win7 machine.

 

[Slartybart]

Status update:
verified: Wired IPv4 configuration
verified: Wireless IPv4 configuration

Ethernet Connection to Internet tested and works

 

[arayfo1]

I am installing update 5 of 5 now.

Yes, I was thinking I should get an extra ethernet cable. I assume you mean for troubleshooting purposes. I would have no issues plugging directly for a long term fix if this Win8 machine and modem weren't so far from my bedroom.

Ok, I undertand having to return the cable.

Did you do the Windows Updates (WU) while I was gone?

Not a problem if they didn't get done, just getting a status.

We can try a differnt workaround for the wireless if using the cable causes any tension at home.

The 1st opportunity you have - go buy an ethernet cable to use on the Win7 machine.

 

[arayfo1]

I checked for updates and there are 16 more Windows updates - installing now.

 

[Slartybart]

Ok, post when WU finishes, it might want to restart Windows

Disconnect the cable and let it restart

 

[Slartybart]

There are a lot of updates after a fresh install.

Do NOT check for updates again unless you can keep the cable for a few hours.

Let these 16 finish and then disconnect the cable.