Just reformatted PC, need basic help connecting to the internet again.

[Sheeno]

Hello everyone. I'm not particularly good with computers, and so I've got a question for you. I don't know much jargon, so I'm going to have to use some round-about phrases to detail it I'm afraid. So, here we go:

We have two computers: the one I'm posting on now and the one which has a problem. This computer is fine and in order, and it's the "main" computer. I mean, when you look under Network Connections, this is the one which seems to rely on the LAN for internet - the other computer used to rely on the Wireless Network Connection.

Now, the other computer was running horrifically slow. It was disorganised, unresponsive and I didn't like the way it had been partitioned at all. A few days ago I was getting particularly stressed out with it, and in a moment of slightly drunken frustration I thought "screw it, I'm reformatting this". So, I got my Windows XP disc, and reformat the *censored* out of it I did.

Now, I slightly regret this decision. The problem is, I have no idea how to reconnect it to the internet! I've tried everything I can (which isn't much) under Network Connections, but it all seems to be geared towards setting up a wireless network - I just want to connect to this existing one.

The router we use is a Netgear DG834PN, by the way. All I want to do is have an icon in Network Connections that corresponds to the wireless network - all I have at the moment on that computer is one that says 1394 (I think), which seems to be connected and firewalled but apparently does sod all in terms of accessing the internet. I've tried inserting the CD that came with the router, but that also seemed to be all about creating a wireless network and nothing I did on it seemed to help the situation.

From what I've read on the internet, inserting a USB-stick-esque-thingy that comes with the router makes the Wireless Network Connection appear under Network Connections. I've seen some of my friends use this set-up. Sadly, we have no such item, so I'm assuming our router just doesn't use one. This means that this whole paragraph contains no useful information and isn't really worth reading, but I felt it necessary to mention anyway.

Either way, I've rambled somewhat. Can anybody offer any assistance? Thanks in advance.

[Allan]

Shorter and to the point next time please

You need to install all drivers, starting with the chipset driver.

[Sheeno]

Sorry, I do have a tendency to go on. 

It was stupid of me to not think to install any drivers, but at least I'll know for next time. I'll have a look through the old CDs we have to see if any have these chipset drivers. If not, am I right in thinking I should download them onto this computer then transfer them via CD to the other? I had to Google to see what chipset drivers are, and now I'm wondering how will I know which company it should be? I mean, my graphics card is NVidia and my CPU is Intel. Should I get drivers from both companies?

[Allan]

Install the following drivers:

Chipset (on disc that came with computer or get it from the website of your computer manufacturer) - install this driver first
Video Card (from the nvidia website
Sound card (from the website of your sound card mfg)
Ethernet card (if required and availabe - from the mfg of your ethernet card)

[Sheeno]

Okay, thanks a lot, all done.  Now I have two LAN connections under Network Connections on that computer. That's the same as this computer, only difference being that one of them is connected here whilst neither is on the newly formatted PC. Any further instructions on what I need to do on the other computer in order to form a connection to the wireless network, rather than the LAN? I've got my SSID and password.

[Allan]

Control Panel - Network - Do you see the wireless network? If so, choose it.

[Allan]

Also, I strongly urge you to begin using disc imaging software to back up your system(s) on a regular basis. There are some good free options if you don't want to buy the best (Acronis True Image).

[Sheeno]

Don't worry, I don't intend to reformat again any time in the near future. My computer was clogged up and slow, and it had a fair bit of malware on it. I just wanted everything gone. A decision I now regret, mind.

And I'm afraid I don't, the problem I have is that it doesn't say "Wireless Network" under Network Connections like it used to. Any idea how I can get it to appear?

[Allan]

You may need a driver for the wireless adapter in your computer. And EVERYONE should use disc imaging software on a regular basis.

[Sheeno]

I may have to start doing that then, thanks for the advice.

Any idea about where I can get these drivers? Had a quick look on the Netgear website, didn't find much.

[Allan]

If you have an adapter in the system there may have been a disc accompanying it. If not, then you don't need the adapter. What does your network hardware consist of (and please understand that networking is NOT a strength of mine - we may need for someone else to jump in)

[Sheeno]

Okay, well, as I said, I don't need one of those USB-stick-things in order to get a connection to my wireless network like most people I know do - are they adapters? The router is really the only piece of hardware I have, I think, and that came with one CD which I've tried already: its focus seems to fall on setting up a wireless network though, not connecting to an existing one.

[Allan]

Your pc has to contain an wireless card / adapter (internal or external) to connect to a wireless network. It may be built in or it may be 3rd party. That's what I'm talking about.

[Sheeno]

Well, I don't know of anything, so I assume it's internal. The PC was also custom-built by someone else, not purchased from a company name or anything, so I'd assume it's 3rd party? I guess I have to open the computer up; what will this adapter look like?

[Allan]

Just look in device manager and see if there are any yellow exclamation marks. If not, see if it's listed under "network adapters" in device manager.