wireless internet connection after re-installing windows

[charlie1234]

An error message recently appeared on my laptop with one or more unrecoverable problems and i was advised to re-intall windows. However ,since doing so, the laptop cannot find the wireless internet connection from my main computer, and therefore, I cannot use the internet. I would be very grateful if anybody had any ideas as to how this problem could be resolved.

[Deerpark]

What version of windows are we talking about here?
What is the make make and model of that laptop?
Are you able to search for wireless networks on it? I.e. is it problem with finding your network or are you not able to search for wireless networks at all?

[charlie1234]

The latop runs on Windows XP Home edition and the laptop itslef is a Dell Inspiron 6000.
The problem is that i cannot find any wireless networks at all and on the 'Network Connections' page, the only icon is a 1394 Connection (Net Adapter).

[Deerpark]

Ahh it sounds like you just need to install a driver for your wireless network card. Did your laptop come with a driver CD?

[charlie1234]

What kind of CD would it be? Is it one of the re-installation CD's?

[Jonas Wauters]

Most times you wont need a cd for a wireless networkcard.
Just go to Control panel -> device manager -> look for you network card is there a yellow mark next to it?
If so you can try to right click it and search for driver or you can go to Windows Update.
Click costum. He 'll check for updates.
Go to Hardware, Optional.
There just Download all drivers he finds.
Let us know if it worked.

Jonas

[charlie1234]

Is a network adapter the same as a network card? If not, i don't seem to have a network card anywhere on the device manager. Also, when i right-click on the network adapter icon and search for drivers, it appears that an installation CD is required. I don't suppose you know what this CD would be? Thanks for your help.
PS. Who is costum?

[Jonas Wauters]

Yes network adaptor is the same as network card. Only network card is never displayed in a device manager it was a mistake of me sorry for that.
And I think I do know witch CD you'll need: The one who says Microsoft Windows XP.
But first I would try to get it online.
That is where Costum will be explained.
Costum isn't a person. Just go to Windows Update.
Then you 'll see that you have a chose between Express and costum.
Click costum. He(The computer) 'll check for updates.
Go to Hardware, Optional.
There just Download all drivers he finds.
Let us know if it worked.

Jonas

[PanFox]

Jonas ... im afraid he might have a problem useing Windows update to find his network card Drivers .. i belive his lack of drivers might impeed his progress.

Charlie, the CD youll be looking For if its a Dell Laptop Will be Mostly Blue , with a white bit at the top and it should say "Drivers and Ultilitys" this is the disk that will have your network Drivers on it.

If you post the Dell Service Number off your your laptop we can use that to look it up on the Dell site and Find you the drivers you will need, then you may download them to a disk and then copy them to your laptop.

[charlie1234]

Thanks for the advice- however, when i run the device update with the CD in, it says that no better hardware mathces could be found than i currently have installed. Do you have any other ideas? thanks

[PanFox]

Yes if you can find the Service Tag off your lap top , and post it here i can find it for you on the dell website , and show you where to download the Drivers.

And is the CD you found the Blue one i spoke off or is it the Windows XP one?

[charlie1234]

the CD i used was the blue Drivers and Utilities one.

Service tag:7VKC22J
thanks

[PanFox]

Youll find the Driver you need on this Website... there are many network card Drivers listed ... you migt have to try a few before you find the right one, or if you look in device manager under network adaptor somtimes you can see the model off the card listed, or if you still have the invoice for your laptop its should say what card was fitted and it will be easyer to find the right driver in this list

http://support.dell.com/support/downloads/driverslist.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=gen&ServiceTag=7VKC22J&SystemID=INS_PNT_6000&os=WW1&osl=en&catid=&impid=

EDIT you may also use this software to find out what hard ware your have
http://www.majorgeeks.com/download4181.html
Download the program on that site and run it on your Laptop and it will show you all your hard ware model names

[charlie1234]

Thanks so much for your help -it seems to be fixed and the internet connection is running. You may have guessed but i am actually British- does it matter that the driver i have installed on my laptop is from the American Dell website or would you advise that i download the british one?
Thanks again for your help

[Jonas Wauters]

No it doesn't matter for a driver.
I have driver from all over the world and they are all working fine.
Nice to see that we have a new specialist of networking!
Nice job Panfox!
Off course Windows update wasn't working how silly of me!

Jonas