No Ethernet Port Detected

Bernie · Post by **Bernie** » Sun Dec 28, 2008 3:44 pm

Following a "clean reinstall" on my PC, when I attempt to reinstall my TalkTalk broadband, I get as far as "NO ETHERNET PORT DETECTED". Obviously there is one as it worked beforehand, but checking in control panel & Device Manager, the port is not there. To reinstall the port I apparently need software or the internet. Obviously I cant use the Internet, so does anybody know of the software to reinstall my Ethernet Port?

I have a Dell Desktop Dimension 3100 with Windows XP.

Any help much appreciated.

ps I have access to another computer if it is possible tp download/burn such software.

Post by **ultimatehandyman** » Sun Dec 28, 2008 3:55 pm

When the computer is booting up, enter the BIOS and make sure that it is enabled in there.

Sometimes things like this and USB ports get disabled in the bios and need enabling before you can use them.

You computer should tell you which key you need to press when it is booting up to enter the BIOS.

Bernie · Post by **Bernie** » Sun Dec 28, 2008 4:17 pm

ultimatehandyman wrote:When the computer is booting up, enter the BIOS and make sure that it is enabled in there.

Sometimes things like this and USB ports get disabled in the bios and need enabling before you can use them.

You computer should tell you which key you need to press when it is booting up to enter the BIOS.

In Bios I cant find any reference to an ethernet port. However, in "Boot Sequence", there are only 4 items listed,

1) Onboard or USB Floppy Drive (not present)
2) Onboard Sata Hard Drive
3) Onboard IDE Hard Drive (not present)
4) Onboard or USB CD-ROM Drive

Now I seem to recall that previously there where 5 items in that list. Could this be the missing Ethernet Port and if so, how do I get it back?

Post by **ultimatehandyman** » Sun Dec 28, 2008 5:38 pm

There is normally more than one page in the bios, the one you have been looking at looks like the boot sequence.

There will be a page that says something like on board perhipherals or similar and it might be on that page.

All computer bios pages are different, but from the 6 or so that I have seen they have all had several different pages, which you can scroll through with either the cursors or page up/down buttons. When you make changes you normally have to press F10 to save them.

nsm · Post by **nsm** » Sun Dec 28, 2008 6:10 pm

It sounds to me like you need the Driver software.

When you bought the DELL did you not get a DRIVER disk (usually green colour) - I think you also get a blue one which is a recovery CD.

Either that - or find a find who has internet access - get onto the DELL Driver Download site and download the appropriate driver onto a USB stick. Then install it.

Saying all this however - you should atleast see it in Device Manager - albeit with a yellow exclamation mark next to it.

You still will need the driver in any case - but your BIOS will most definitely have the ethernet control on one of the pages.

Bernie · Post by **Bernie** » Sun Dec 28, 2008 6:38 pm

nsm wrote:It sounds to me like you need the Driver software.

When you bought the DELL did you not get a DRIVER disk (usually green colour) - I think you also get a blue one which is a recovery CD.

Either that - or find a find who has internet access - get onto the DELL Driver Download site and download the appropriate driver onto a USB stick. Then install it.

Saying all this however - you should atleast see it in Device Manager - albeit with a yellow exclamation mark next to it.

You still will need the driver in any case - but your BIOS will most definitely have the ethernet control on one of the pages.

I have been through the BIOS with a fine tooth comb. There is only 1 page and there is no reference at all to an ethernet port. As regards downloading from the Dell site, I have also looked on there but it is not clear which is the correct disk to download. I didnt recieve any recovery disks from Dell.

As regards Device Manager, you are correct. The Ethernet Controller is there with a yellow question mark, but the info I get when clicking on this is that I need to reinstall the driver which puts me back to square 1.

thanks for your assistance

Bernie · Post by **Bernie** » Sun Dec 28, 2008 6:38 pm

nsm wrote:It sounds to me like you need the Driver software.

When you bought the DELL did you not get a DRIVER disk (usually green colour) - I think you also get a blue one which is a recovery CD.

Either that - or find a find who has internet access - get onto the DELL Driver Download site and download the appropriate driver onto a USB stick. Then install it.

Saying all this however - you should atleast see it in Device Manager - albeit with a yellow exclamation mark next to it.

You still will need the driver in any case - but your BIOS will most definitely have the ethernet control on one of the pages.

nsm · Post by **nsm** » Sun Dec 28, 2008 7:02 pm

OK - Then it is straight forward if you have the yellow exclamation - it is just a driver issue.

Can you find the service tag on your DELL?

Failing that - I will take a look on the DELL site and point you towards some downloads.

It doesnt really matter if there are a few on there - we just install them and if it doesnt work we move to the next.

nsm · Post by **nsm** » Sun Dec 28, 2008 7:04 pm

Here you go:

http://support.euro.dell.com/support/to ... ile=136142

Bernie · Post by **Bernie** » Sun Dec 28, 2008 7:21 pm

nsm wrote:Here you go:

CLICK

Firstly, thanks for your assistance. However when I type that address out I get a Dell message 500- server processing error.

If it helps my sevice tag is 43vfc2j but as you will have guessed I am not an expert on these matters. I have been on the Dell drivers download section but I dont know which is the correct one to download. Maybe you could point me in the right direction.

Once again, many thanks

nsm · Post by **nsm** » Sun Dec 28, 2008 7:28 pm

Are you definitely copying in the whole link (Sorry I had to ask)?

I just tried it and it starts to download the driver.

Also; it must be this driver - as there is only the 1 listed for you PC.

Make sure you copy from http://..........to 136142

Maybe the URL is wrapping and you are not copying the whole thing.

Unless there is somewhere I could upload it for you?

nsm · Post by **nsm** » Sun Dec 28, 2008 7:37 pm

If you still cannot use the link.

Then on the DELL site; goto the Drivers and Downloads section.
Either enter your service tag or choose dimension 3100 and Windows XP.

Scroll down to Network and click the +
Then there are 4 files listed. It is the Intel Driver one (The one that says DRIVER).

Bernie · Post by **Bernie** » Sun Dec 28, 2008 7:47 pm

nsm wrote:Are you definitely copying in the whole link (Sorry I had to ask)?

I just tried it and it starts to download the driver.

Also; it must be this driver - as there is only the 1 listed for you PC.

Make sure you copy from http://..........to 136142

Maybe the URL is wrapping and you are not copying the whole thing.

Unless there is somewhere I could upload it for you?

Tried again, SUCCESSFULLY. Must have been a typing error. I have downloaded it and I am pleased to say that it is now installed on my PC. I cant hank you enough nsm.

cheers

Bernie

nsm · Post by **nsm** » Sun Dec 28, 2008 7:56 pm

No problem

scot-canuck · Post by **scot-canuck** » Tue Dec 30, 2008 1:30 am

Joy of windows....

Good lesson learnt...remember to download drivers onto a cd before reinstalling and burn a linux live cd, so at least you have net access if you forget something crucial like a network driver.
(yeah did that myself, luckily had net access elsewhere so downloaded both the live cd and the windows driver)