So, has anyone had this problem

[G+_Jason Perry]

So, has anyone had this problem.

I just did a fresh install of windows 7 on an HP DV-6 to get rid of years of crap. I now have no network connectivity. I tried a hardwire connection, nothing. I tried connecting via Bluetooth to my phone, it will sync but, surprise, I can't install the drivers.

 

I am guessing I am going to have to track down the drivers, boo.

 

Not sure why I am having this problem it isn't my first win 7 install.

[G+_Keith Mallett]

Roll back the nic drivers. That messed me up on a couple if 10gig nics and it wasn't showing any error that needed to be troubleshooted, it just didn't talk. After a trip to the data centre to ensure the cables didn't get unplugged... Rolling back the drivers fixed the problem

[G+_Travis Hershberger]

What Keith Mallett said.  Download the latest drives from the manufacturer's website.  Those should get it up and running, sounds like the network drivers aren't included in the Windows base packages.  If they were working and stopped, then it was probably a windows update installing the wrong driver from the Windows Update database.  We still have a few computers here that if you install the drives that Windows Update shows, the network card stops working.

[G+_Ben Reese]

Drivers have always been an issue with clean installs of Windows on laptops. I typically try downloading wifi drivers first - otherwise it's a hassle getting it all working.

 

Your phone should connect as mass storage, so you could download the drivers there then transfer them over.

[G+_Jason Perry]

Ben Reese?, good suggestion on using my phone

[G+_Jason Perry]

Its kinda seems odd this is a problem with laptops and not desktops. I have done quite a few installs on desktops and never had an issue, this was my first laptop install.

[G+_Jason Perry]

Just went online to get the drivers and found out there was a recall on the power cord I just replaced. Sigh......

[G+_Keith Mallett]

So you didn't have the drivers from the previous install?

[G+_Jason Perry]

I went from the stock install of 7 home, to a 7 Pro install I have a licence for. No wired or wireless Ethernet, but I have Bluetooth. Funny because Bluetooth is on the same card as the WiFi.

[G+_Rud Dog]

Jason Perry This is why I have yet to reinstall Windows 7 on my laptop. Before attempting this fresh install decided to check out what other were saying about doing so and found many advised the Windows 7 update be carried out using the manufacturer's version of the install. Further checking had people informing me the drivers for all the hardware on my lap top were included on the copy from the manufacturer in this case Acer. Unfortunately after trying to find such an image on their website to download or even purchase, gave up could not find what I was looking for so for now have not 'fresh installed' my OS. 

 

If you solve this please let me know if the armies of online helpers were correct in saying the manufacturer's copy of  Windows 7 solves this problem and while you are at it, if it even exists. 

[G+_Rud Dog]

Thought I would go back and try to obtain the software to update my laptop kind of a rekindling of my original goal based on your attempt. Here is what I found:

 

This Service is currently not available, please try later. Sorry for the inconvenience.

 

It is now a matter of believability leading to  if I will return. This is so frustrating.

[G+_Ben Reese]

Rud Dog Acer should have all the drivers on there site, but I'd be surprised of they offer them all bundled as an ISO. You can typically visit support.acer.com, support.hp.com, support.dell.com....; provide the model number; and get all the drivers needed.

[G+_Keith Mallett]

OK so I missunderstood. I thought you had an existing install that you refreshed with the install media. You wiped the drive and did a fresh install so you didn't have any drivers saved. If you got an installation media with the computer you should have also got a driver media for the OS version.

 

I have experienced what you went through many times with the Home versions of MS products and some Pro version all the way up to Windows 8 so yes it happens.

 

I recommend everyone make a recovery image of the system when you first start using it. If you are not in a server environment then I recommend Acronis Home. There are other products out there but Acronis is not too expensive and the support that you get is worth the cost of the program. Make a bootable USB, CD or DVD and create an image of the drive for safe keeping. I don't trust System Restore. In fact, I make an image of every computer I work on for people before I do anything to be safe.

 

Jason Perry I'm not 100% on what you meant by a recall on the power cord being the cause of the problem. A power cord just passes 120v from the wall outlet to the system. The power supply (internal for desktops and external bricks for most laptops) converts the power into 12,5 and 3v DC. Is that what was recalled?

[G+_Rud Dog]

Ben Reese Will give it another try after some time has passed having had the feelings of frustration from about a year ago is all coming back to me. Not sure it is worth it. Will update after I have had some time to rethink my strat.

[G+_Jason Perry]

Keith Mallett, sorry about the power cord comment. that was me going off on a tangent. I just bought a replacement less than a week ago and there is a recall on the one I was replacing so I could have got it for free. I am assuming even though they said power cord it was the bric that was the issue.

[G+_Jason Perry]

Now here is my new question. do I just run the exe to install the driver or do I have to go somewhere in the control panel to install it?

 

I feel silly asking this but all my installs have been straight forward in the past.

[G+_Ben Reese]

Running the EXE is typically all you need to do. Occasionally windows won't apply that driver to the device automatically and you have to go into Device Manger and either update the driver or delete the device and let Windows rediscover it, but typically it just works.

[G+_Keith Mallett]

Jason Perry There is no correct answer to that. Sometimes the executable doesn't work with every OS or there is a problem with UAC or folder permissions or its just a bad compile. The idea with the exe file is to do the work for the user who doesn't know how to do it manually. I don't like using them because they usually install additional bloatware or add huge unneeded driver packages when all that is needed is one or two from the pack (HP is notorious for this). However, I do agree with Ben Reese, running the exe file SHOULD be all you need but knowing how to install the dll and cab files via Device Manager is always a good thing. In-fact, you can even install the drivers from the shell (command prompt or CLI)... Wait till you see me install drivers via the shell with the winrm command on another computer that I don't even have a remote connection to it... he he he - Nerds Rule!

 

OK - so is the original issue with the driver for the nic fixed now? If so, consider what I said about starting an installation image program using Acronis for yourself. I It will save you a whole bunch of forehead slapping in the future.

 

Cheers!

[G+_Jason Perry]

I found the driver for the wired connection. It looks like the driver for the wireless is in the first round of updates.

[G+_Steve Martin]

Jason Perry Typical Windows catch 22. You get updates to drivers via Windows Update, but if the NIC drivers are missing you can't get Windows Updates. Usually first thing I do when doing clean install is go and at least download the NIC drivers for the machine.

 

Lesson learned.

[G+_Jason Perry]

Steve Martin?, true enough. Lesson learned. That's a step I have never needed to do before but will cache for future use.

[G+_Jason Perry]

Keith Mallett?, I am thinking of whipping machines more often so I will have to dig up my copy of

Acronis. I have v.9 somewhere. Either that or set up ghost on a server.