Network drivers

[SuperDave]

I'm stuck. I changed the defective drive on my Acer Aspire laptop but there are errors in the Device Manager for the networks. I managed to boot with Linux and downloaded the drivers from Acer but when I try to run Driver Detective in Windows 7 I get an error that it can't download the installer. I tried downloading the drivers and loaded them on the laptop with a disk but that also didn't work. Any ideas how I can get these drivers installed?

[Allan]

1) Not sure what you mean by network drivers. Do you mean the driver for an ethernet card?

2) If you created and restored an image to the new drive you shouldn't need any drivers. Or did you do a clean install of Windows? If so, you should install the chipset driver first and then all other drivers. In Device Manager, which items have yellow or red symbols?

3) Please do not use Driver Detective or any 3rd party driver utilities. ALL laptop drivers should be obtained from the website of the laptop manufacturer - in this case Acer. You should go to their website yourself and download the appropriate drivers and install them without the use of a third party app. It sounds as though you may have tried this, so exactly what goes wrong when you try to install from the disc or usb drive? Have you copied them from the disc to the HD and then installing?

If I'm missing something Dave, please let me know. There isn't anyone on this forum who doesn't want to be of help to you!!!!

[SuperDave]

Do you mean the driver for an ethernet card?

Yes, I can't get on the internet.

If you created and restored an image to the new drive you shouldn't need any drivers. Or did you do a clean install of Windows?

A clean install.

In Device Manager, which items have yellow or red symbols?

Ethernet controller
Network controller
PCI controller
SM bus controller

Please do not use Driver Detective or any 3rd party driver utilities.

I went to the Acer site and this is what download when I went for the drivers.

It sounds as though you may have tried this, so exactly what goes wrong when you try to install from the disc or usb drive? Have you copied them from the disc to the HD and then installing?

I dl'd the only two sets of drivers that were available, transferred them to the desktop but I still can't update the drivers. I right-click on each device and select update drivers and click to search on my desktop. It can't find any drivers to install.

[patio]

Try just double cliking the driver files...

[BC_Programmer]

Which Model of Acer Aspire?

[Allan]

Dave - the exceptions you noted in Device Manager indicate you need to install the chipset driver. This is an absolute must. In older systems it should be installed ahead of other drivers, in newer systems it shouldn't matter much - but either way you must install it. It should certainly be listed on the ACER driver download page for your system. If you still have an issue, provide us with the model number as BC asks and we'll try to help you locate the appropriate drivers.

[SuperDave]

Ok. Thanks, I'll give that a shot.

[SuperDave]

Dl'd and installed the chipset drivers; no change.

[Allan]

Okay, what does Device Manager show now (yellow or red symbols)?

[SuperDave]

Same as before. I dl'd the chipset drivers to my own computer and transferred them to the laptop. I'm going to try downloading them from the laptop. I'll be in touch.

[Allan]

Yeah, they didn't install for some reason Dave.

[patio]

Chipset drivers 1st...then a re-boot is neccessary...then re-install all others.
Reason being is many drivers are dependent on chipset drivers being proper and in place...

[SuperDave]

I dl'd the chipset drivers using Linux then booted in Windows and installed the drivers. Still no change. Would installing the OS make any difference?

[Allan]

You mean Windows isn't installed? If that's the case YES - Windows first needs to be installed and then all drivers installed AFTER that (starting with the chipset driver).

[SuperDave]

Yes, Windows 7 is already installed. I was wondering if re-installing would cure the problem? There was Windows 8 on this computer before the hard drive failed and I installed Windows 7. Would that have made any difference?