Download windows xp network adapter. Network card driver - how to install it if there is no Internet after reinstalling Windows

Download windows xp network adapter. Network card driver - how to install it if there is no Internet after reinstalling Windows

One of the problems that a user may encounter after reinstalling Windows is the lack of a driver for the network adapter (network driver) for a wired or wireless network.

And if you don’t have a driver disk at hand, you will have to look for the driver and download it using another device that has Internet access.

In this article we will look at an algorithm that will allow you to avoid troubles that may arise after installing the OS.

What is a driver? This is a program with which the computer operating system interacts with the device hardware (motherboard, video card, network card, printer, scanner, MFP, etc.).

Drivers are developed by companies that produce computer components and peripherals that interact with PCs (for example, office equipment).

Often, modern operating systems (including Windows 7) already have a certain set of drivers that allow you to work with the main components of the computer; we will consider the case when such programs are missing.

The peculiarity of the situation when the network driver is not installed is that it is not possible to use programs to automatically install drivers, since they all use an Internet connection for their work, and since the network driver is not installed, there is no access to the Internet.

The user usually encounters installing network adapter drivers in the following cases:

1. After purchasing a new computer and not having an OS installed on it.

2. After installing the operating system.

3. After a network adapter driver failure.

To solve the problems that arise in the first case, you need to look for the disks that come with your computer. The driver disk for the motherboard contains what we need.

Over the past few years, a trend has clearly emerged that involves the abandonment of the use of optical disc drives not only among manufacturers of laptops, but also desktop PCs.

Users who independently choose the components from which their computer will be assembled also refuse to install a DVD drive.

The driver installation procedure can be divided into 2 stages: hardware identification and driver installation.

In order to identify manufacturers and specific models of equipment, a coding system for models and brands of computer components was developed.

Typically, the code for a network adapter has the following form: PCI/VEN_xxxx&DEV_xxxx&SUBSYS_xxxxxx, where VEN_xxxx is the equipment manufacturer identifier (Vendor ID), DEV_xxxx is the equipment model code (Device ID).

Return to menu

In order to find out the code, click Start, enter “Device Manager” in the search field and go to the corresponding menu.

Next, you need to find the “Network adapters” or “Other devices” submenu and right-click on one of the submenu items, for example, in our case it will be “Realtek PCIe GBE Family Controller”.

Return to menu

After we have found out the equipment identifier, we should copy its name (right-click - copy) and enter it in the browser search field. After downloading the necessary program, you can begin installing it.

Similar actions will occur if you update the network driver.

To install/update the network adapter driver, you need to go to the “Device Manager” as described earlier. Select the required item and in the context menu, which is accessible by right-clicking, select “Update drivers...”.

We go to the directory into which we recently downloaded everything we need, using the “Browse” button, click “Next” and wait for the driver installation process to complete.

There is also an opinion that if you update (reinstall) a network driver, you must first remove the old one, after which you should install a new one.

Important! To remove an already installed driver, you need to go to “Device Manager”, select the network adapter, right-click and select “Delete” in the context menu. After this, the system will warn you that the device driver will be removed, we agree by clicking “OK”.

Return to menu

If you have a need to search for universal programs that can function on different operating systems: I mean utilities for creating group policies, programs for cleaning the system from viruses and, of course, software for working with OS drivers - the best solution would be to use the Carambis program Driver Updater.

Thanks to Driver Updater, you can not only get the software you need, but also save big. After all, one subscription purchase allows you to connect two computers at once.

As for the work process, the utility copes well with its tasks. Now you no longer need to fix errors in connected hardware components on each computer.

Setting up automatic search and installation of updates now automatically updates all devices.

But, if you need to speed up your computer, we recommend using another utility from the same manufacturer - Carambis Cleaner.

Its capabilities:

  • Comprehensive optimization of the operating system;
  • The ability to delete components and temporary files that are no longer used and are not needed for the operation of the OS;
  • Delete all OS error reports;
  • Quick registry cleaning;
  • Ability to delete files that the user selects;
  • Uninstall installed programs in the main program window with a few clicks.

Remember, files that have been deleted by the program cannot be restored (unlike the usual deletion procedure using built-in OS functions). Run diagnostics on your computer several times a month to keep your system in good working order.

Driver for network adapter - detailed installation instructions

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How to install network hardware drivers on Windows 7

If we consider the operation of a network adapter, Wi-Fi module or router, users of Windows operating systems may encounter a situation where such equipment stops working due to failures or reinstallation of the system as a whole. Now we will consider the question of how to install a network driver on Windows 7. At the same time, we will briefly touch on the main points of installation and subsequent configuration.

How to install network adapter drivers automatically on Windows 7

First of all, don't panic. A driver crash, for example, when re-installing an operating system, is not some kind of critical situation.

Please note that during the process of installing and configuring the system, it automatically installs the most suitable drivers (programs for their correct operation) for almost all devices known today, including network adapters and related equipment. The very essence of the problem, how to install drivers for such devices on Windows 7, comes down to just waiting for the reinstallation and initial setup process to complete. True, after booting the computer at the end of the process, in some cases the driver database may be located not on the hard drive, but on the Windows installation disk.

Using driver updates

If for some reason the driver for the corresponding equipment was not installed correctly, you first need to check in the “Device Manager”, called from the standard “Control Panel”, whether the equipment really does not work (in the list it is indicated by a yellow circle).

Here you can do it in the simplest way: in the context menu, use the driver update command directly or go to the properties section, where you select the button of the same name (this applies to all systems, including even XP).

The system will search for the most suitable driver and report its successful installation or issue a notification that the driver has already been installed. But the most suitable driver is often not the best solution. Therefore, you should use the selection of the location from which the installation will be made.

This is where the Windows installation disk comes in handy. However, for example, if the user is dealing not with a desktop computer, but with a laptop, in solving the problem of how to install drivers on a laptop (Windows 7), you need to use a special disk with drivers, which is required when purchasing the device. You understand that, unlike desktop computers assembled by hand, a laptop contains a standard manufacturer configuration that is not changed upon sale.

Here you simply insert the disc into the optical drive, after which you specify the location of the desired driver installer when the system prompts.

Removing a device from the system and reinstalling it

If this option does not suit someone, the question of how to install network adapter drivers on Windows 7 can be solved by removing the device from the system.

When Windows restarts again, the device will be detected automatically, after which you can use the method with the original driver disk.

But this can also be done manually. You need to look through the folders located on the optical media and select a special driver installation file from there in the folder indicating the appropriate equipment (usually these are files with the .inf extension). You can install it on the system by calling the context menu (right click) and using the installation command.

How to install WiFi drivers on Windows 7

As for built-in wireless communication modules and routers, in principle, there is nothing complicated about installing drivers.

Based on the above, you can use all the described methods, but, as a rule, Wi-Fi modules are detected automatically by the system, and for routers, drivers can be found on accompanying optical media. The installation process is practically no different from the standard one. Another thing is when you need to configure the equipment so that it works correctly.

Setting up a router, Wi-Fi and local network connection

For routers, access to settings is used in the form of logging into the browser via the address 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 (depending on the model - this address can be found on the nameplate on the back of the router, where you can find the login and password for logging in), where the parameters are written provided by the provider.

When all operations are completed, the turned on Wi-Fi module will itself determine the presence of a wireless network, of course, provided that the preliminary installation of a new connection has already been made. The module itself is activated by default. If it is turned off, you can turn it on by combining the Fn button with one of the function keys. For example, on Fujitsu laptops this is Fn + F5. The module will require a login password, if provided, and will then connect.

By the way, for both cable and wireless connections, it is recommended to specify automatic address acquisition in the TCP/IP settings. However, if we are talking about corporate networks, it may very well be that some parameters will have to be entered manually. You can obtain them from your system administrator.

Bottom line

In conclusion, it remains to be said that the question of how to install network device drivers on Windows 7, in general, is not difficult to solve. For desktop computers, only one problem can be noted when the system has several network controllers, which can cause a hardware conflict. In addition, if you don’t have the original driver disk at hand, you can find out the brand of equipment and its manufacturer, and then, using another computer connected to the Internet, go to the manufacturer’s official website and download the latest version of the driver, taking into account the installed “OS” (in in our case – windows 7 32 or 64 bit).

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Driver for network adapter installation instructions

When the operating system is reinstalled, the user may encounter the problem of missing network driver. Without this driver, it is impossible to start either a wireless or wired network. If you have the disk, there are no problems, just install the program. And if it is missing, you need to find, for example, a mobile phone/tablet with a connected network in order to download the driver. To avoid such problems, when reinstalling the operating system, you must follow the correct algorithm of actions.

The driver is the link between the operating system and the internal components of the computer, that is, this program connects the OS with the motherboard, video and network cards, and office equipment. These programs are developed by the same companies that produce PC equipment and electronic office equipment, which is what a personal computer interacts with. When buying a computer, the user does not think about various drivers, since they are already preinstalled in the system.

But, for example, after the first reinstallation of the OS or the purchase of a new computer, the user will be faced with their absence.
If there is no network driver on the computer, there is no way to go online and download the necessary programs from official websites that will automatically scan the operating system and install all missing drivers. When might you encounter a problem installing a network device driver? In these three cases:

  1. Even a new computer, just from a store, may lack an operating system, and as a result, a driver.
  2. When the operating system is installed/reinstalled.
  3. When a system crash occurs and the driver stops working.
The first case is the easiest. The box with your purchase should contain driver discs. The network device driver is located on the software disk for the motherboard. Since recently users are increasingly assembling computers themselves (choosing internal components), a DVD drive may be missing, and as a result, it is not possible to install any driver from the disk. In this regard, it is advisable to keep a complete set of drivers in a separate folder on the PC or download them to a flash card. In this case, you don’t have to look for a mobile device to go to the official pages of the manufacturers’ websites and from there download a program that will automatically install the missing drivers.

Installing the network driver

Before installing the driver, you must identify your computer. All brands and models of computer internal equipment are encoded with special “ciphers”. This is done so that during installation the driver can identify the computer model and its manufacturer. The network device driver code looks like this: PCI/TECH_xxxx&DEV_xxxx&SUBSYS_xxxxxx. TECH means that the computer hardware was manufactured by A4Tech, and DEV is the device ID.

Step 1. Equipment identification

In order to find out the code, click Start and enter device manager in the search field. Next, a menu will open with which you can identify the equipment. Click on "Network adapters" and select the name of the controller.
Once you do this, the Details section will open. Find their "Properties" and select "Model ID". The first line contains complete information about the device model.

Step 2. Install/update the network adapter driver

This will be the identifier of your equipment. Now you need to find it on the Internet by entering the name in any search engine, for example https://devid.info/ru. The search engine will return the official driver page, and you need to download it to your PC. And then follows the installation procedure itself. If you need to update a network device driver, you do exactly the same thing: find the ID, enter it into the search, download and install.

To install a missing or recent version of the driver, use Device Manager. Follow the same steps in the last step “Update drivers”.


Select “Search for drivers on this computer.”
Go to the folder where you saved the necessary drivers downloaded from the manufacturer’s official website, and install them using the “Next” button.
Many users, before installing new driver versions, remove old ones to avoid conflicts and inoperability, because even if you did everything correctly, the Internet may not appear on the computer. In this case, you still need to take the advice of users and remove old versions. How to do this! In Device Manager, you can uninstall the old version of the network driver. Agree with the choice, and the system will remove the network device driver that was previously installed on your computer.
There are two steps left and your computer will work fully. Step one is to reboot and open Device Manager. In place of the removed driver, “Network Controller” will appear in the “Other Devices” section. At the final stage, follow the steps from Step 2 (updating/installing network device drivers).

pc-helpp.com

Where to download network drivers for windows 7?

Before downloading something from the Internet, it is worth deciding what it is and why we need it. This is due to the fact that without knowing what we install on the computer, we can harm our gadget and disable it. And therefore, before downloading network drivers for Windows 7, you need to understand the most important thing: “What are drivers?”

The easiest way: use programs to automatically update drivers. They themselves will determine the necessary driver, download and install it on the computer.

Basic Concepts

Driver

So, a driver is a program or set of programs. Thanks to them, the full functioning of a particular device occurs. The driver acts as an intermediary between this device and the operating system. Thanks to these programs, your operating system “gets to know” the device, its capabilities, and also sends commands to it. As you understand, each device needs its own drivers. This means that devices from different manufacturers will require completely different drivers.

Network driver

So, we’ve sorted out the concept of “driver” itself, now let’s look at the concept of “network driver”. Network driver is a program for the full operation of network cards, as well as for the operation of wireless communication devices. Without them, you would not be able to connect to the Internet, create a local network, or connect to Wi-Fi.

How to find out what network card you have?

Now that we’ve figured out the basic concepts, it’s time to understand: “What network card do you have?” This can be done without disassembling your device and without trying to find the box from your computer.

To find out, follow the following path:

Control Panel -> Administrative Tools -> Computer Management -> Device Manager -> Network Cards

You will see a list of all networks where you can find out the information you need.

In addition to this method, there is another method via the command line. To do this, press the key combination. The “Run” window will appear in front of you. Here you will need to type cmd to launch the command line. Once a new window opens, enter the command ipconfig /all.

Download

So, after you have identified your model, it is time to download the appropriate drivers. Of course, you need to download from the official website.

download from the official website

download from the official website

download from the official website

chopen.net

Installing a driver for a Windows 7 network card

When installing the Windows 7 operating system, the first thing you need to do is install drivers for the network card.

After detecting a Windows 7 network card, fresh drivers for all other devices and updates for the Windows operating system can be installed via the Internet.

To install the network card, we will use the driver collection Driver Pack Solution 14. You can download it for free using the links below.

Download all three parts in total, the volume is slightly more than 6 gigabytes.

Driver Pack Solution 14 Part 1. or HERE

Driver Pack Solution 14 Part 2. or HERE

Driver Pack Solution 14 Part 3. or HERE

If you have old hardware manufactured before 2013, you will need the old version of the driver pack 12.3 with a volume of 3 Gigabytes.

Download it below from two sources to choose from.

DP12.3.part1 or HERE

DP12.3.part2 or HERE

Or download the ISO image torrent from the developer’s website HERE.

Then download Driver Pack Solution to a flash drive and transfer the installer to a freshly installed Windows.

The archive is self-extracting, just run the file.

In the unpacked folder with the program, find the DriverPackSolution file and run it.

Having found drivers for all devices not identified by the system, the program offers to install them.

For installed ones, it offers to update the drivers.

Click the install button, opposite the words Drivers require installation.

If you do not have an Internet connection, you can install all the suggested drivers.

In my case, it was possible to install firewood for BLUETOOTH and the chipset.

But I removed these checkboxes because... video about installing firewood on a network card.

Then I still installed the driver for BLUETOOTH and the chipset from this flash drive because... I was unable to download the latest drivers for them.

After clicking the Start installation button, the program will create a restore point.

And it will install the selected drivers, and additionally install DirectX 9c.

After the network card is installed, the Windows 7 operating system will launch the network connection installation manager.

Select “Home Network”, and after applying the network settings, a network connection icon will appear in the system tray.

Video instructions for installing a network card driver in Windows 7.

Search and installation of drivers, setting up computers, Bratsk, Energetik.

If we consider the operation of a network adapter, Wi-Fi module or router, users of Windows operating systems may encounter a situation where such equipment stops working due to failures or reinstallation of the system as a whole. Now we will consider the question of how to install a network driver on Windows 7. At the same time, we will briefly touch on the main points of installation and subsequent configuration.

How to install drivers automatically on Windows 7

First of all, don't panic. A driver crash, for example, when re-installing an operating system, is not some kind of critical situation.

Please note that during the process of installing and configuring the system, it automatically installs the most suitable drivers (programs for their correct operation) for almost all devices known today, including network adapters and related equipment. The very essence of the problem, how to install drivers for such devices on Windows 7, comes down to just waiting for the reinstallation and initial setup process to complete. True, after booting the computer at the end of the process, in some cases the driver database may be located not on the hard drive, but on the Windows installation disk.

Using driver updates

If for some reason the driver for the corresponding equipment was not installed correctly, you first need to check in the “Device Manager”, called from the standard “Control Panel”, whether the equipment really does not work (in the list it is indicated by a yellow circle).

Here you can do it in the simplest way: in the context menu, use the driver update command directly or go to the properties section, where you select the button of the same name (this applies to all systems, including even XP).

The system will search for the most suitable driver and report its successful installation or issue a notification that the driver has already been installed. But the most suitable driver is often not the best solution. Therefore, you should use the selection of the location from which the installation will be made.

This is where the Windows installation disc comes in handy. However, for example, if the user is dealing not with a desktop computer, but with a laptop, in order to solve the problem (Windows 7), you need to use a special disk with drivers, which is required when purchasing the device. You understand that, unlike desktop computers assembled by hand, a laptop contains a standard manufacturer configuration that is not changed upon sale.

Here you simply insert the disk into and then specify the location of the required driver installer when the system asks.

Removing a device from the system and reinstalling it

If this option does not suit someone, the question of how to install network adapter drivers on Windows 7 can be solved by removing the device from the system.

When Windows restarts again, the device will be detected automatically, after which you can use the method with the original driver disk.

But this can also be done manually. You need to look through the folders located on the optical media and select a special driver installation file from there in the folder indicating the appropriate equipment (usually these are files with the .inf extension). You can install it on the system by calling the context menu (right click) and using the installation command.

How to install WiFi drivers on Windows 7

As for built-in wireless communication modules and routers, in principle, there is nothing complicated about installing drivers.

Based on the above, you can use all the described methods, but, as a rule, Wi-Fi modules are detected automatically by the system, and for routers, drivers can be found on accompanying optical media. The installation process is practically no different from the standard one. Another thing is when you need to configure the equipment so that it works correctly.

Setting up a router, Wi-Fi and local network connection

For routers, access to settings is used in the form of logging into the browser via the address 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 (depending on the model - this address can be found on the nameplate on the back of the router, where you can find the login and password for logging in), where the parameters are written provided by the provider.

When all operations are completed, the turned on Wi-Fi module will itself determine the presence of a wireless network, of course, provided that the preliminary installation of a new connection has already been made. The module itself is activated by default. If it is turned off, you can turn it on by combining the Fn button with one of the function keys. For example, on Fujitsu laptops this is Fn + F5. The module will require a login password, if provided, and will then connect.

By the way, for both cable and wireless connections, it is recommended to specify automatic address acquisition in the TCP/IP settings. However, if we are talking about it may very well be that some parameters will have to be entered manually. You can obtain them from your system administrator.

Bottom line

In conclusion, it remains to be said that the question of how to install network device drivers on Windows 7, in general, is not difficult to solve. Only one problem can be noted when there are several in the system that can cause a hardware conflict. In addition, if you don’t have the original driver disk at hand, you can find out the brand of equipment and its manufacturer, and then, using another computer connected to the Internet, go to the manufacturer’s official website and download the latest version of the driver, taking into account the installed “OS” (in in our case - Windows 7 32 or 64 bit).

First of all, what are drivers? If you rely on the literal translation of the word driver, then you can guess that this program is designed to control something. Therefore, the driver actually controls the hardware according to standard OS commands. If the driver is not installed, the device will either not work completely or will function in universal mode.

For proper operation of network equipment, you will need an individual driver that stores the device’s operating algorithm and information about how the operating system should interact with this part. Of course, for some devices drivers are installed automatically, but more often you have to do it manually. The need to install a driver arises after reinstalling the operating system, and also, if necessary, updating the driver version. Typically, drivers are included on a disk along with the device, but they can be found on the Internet - all you need to know is the device model.

Download drivers for network cards from the manufacturer Atheros on Windows 7

Download drivers for network cards from the manufacturer Broadcom on Windows 7

Download drivers for network cards from the manufacturer Marwell on Windows 7

Download drivers for network cards from the manufacturer Realtek on Windows 7

Download drivers for network cards from the manufacturer Intel on Windows 7

To find out the model of your network equipment, you need to open the “Control Panel”, then select “Administration” and go to “Computer Management”. Next, open “Device Manager” and go to “Network Cards”. After this, a list will open containing information about all installed network cards. You can also find out the device model by launching the command line - to do this, enter the cmd command in “Run”. In the window that opens after this, enter the command “ipconfig /all”.

If the network card was not detected by the system, then you should remove the network card from the motherboard and find the manufacturer's marking data. Using this data and a regular search service, you can find out the model of the network card.

Any user can install network drivers on Windows 7. To do this, you will need to launch the driver icon, and after that the Installation Wizard will open, which in appearance resembles the Installation Wizard for any programs. All you have to do is click Next or Next and accept the license agreements. After waiting for the driver installation process to complete, you must reboot the system.

LAN card- a device through which your computer or laptop can be connected to a local network or the Internet. Network adapters require appropriate drivers to operate correctly. In this article we will tell you in detail how to find out the model of your network card and what drivers are needed for it. In addition, you will learn how to update network drivers on Windows 7 and other versions of this OS, where such software can be downloaded and how to install it correctly.

In most cases, network cards are integrated into the motherboard. However, sometimes you can find external network adapters that connect to the computer via a USB or PCI connector. For both external and integrated network cards, the methods for searching and installing drivers are identical. The only exception is, perhaps, the first method, which is suitable only for integrated cards. But first things first.

Method 1: Motherboard manufacturer's website

As we mentioned just above, integrated network cards are installed in motherboards. Therefore, it would be more logical to look for drivers on the official websites of motherboard manufacturers. This is why this method is not suitable if you need to find software for an external network adapter. Let's get down to the method itself.

  1. First, find out the manufacturer and model of your motherboard. To do this, press the buttons on the keyboard simultaneously "Windows" And "R".
  2. In the window that opens, enter the command "cmd". After this, press the button "OK" in the window or "Enter" on keyboard.
  3. As a result, a command prompt window will appear on your screen. Here you need to enter the following commands.
  4. To display the motherboard manufacturer - wmic baseboard get Manufacturer
    To display the motherboard model - wmic baseboard get product

  5. You should get the following picture.
  6. Please note that if you have a laptop, the manufacturer and model of the motherboard will be the same as the manufacturer and model of the laptop itself.
  7. When we have found out the data we need, we go to the manufacturer’s official website. In our case - .
  8. Now we need to find the search bar on the manufacturer’s website. Most often it is located in the top area of ​​sites. Having found it, enter the model of your motherboard or laptop into the field and click "Enter".
  9. On the next page you will see search results and title matches. Select your product and click on its name.
  10. On the next page you need to find a subsection "Support" or "Support". Usually they are quite large in size and finding them is not difficult.
  11. Now you need to select the subsection with drivers and utilities. It may be called differently in some cases, but the essence is the same everywhere. In our case it is called - .
  12. The next step is to select the operating system that you have installed. This can be done in a special drop-down menu. To select, simply click on the required line.
  13. Below you will see a list of all available drivers, which are divided into categories for user convenience. We need a section "LAN". We open this thread and see the driver that we need. In most cases, the file size, release date, device name and description are displayed here. To start downloading the driver, you must click on the appropriate button. In our case this is a button "Global".
  14. Clicking the download button will begin downloading the file. Sometimes drivers are packaged in archives. After the download is complete, you need to run the downloaded file. If you downloaded the archive, you first need to extract all its contents into one folder, and only then run the executable file. Most often it is called "Setup".
  15. After starting the program, you will see the standard installation wizard welcome window. To continue, click the button "Further".
  16. In the next window you will see a message indicating that everything is ready for installation. To start it, you need to press the button "Install".
  17. The software installation process will begin. His progress can be tracked in the corresponding filling scale. The process itself usually lasts no more than a minute. Upon completion, you will see a window where it will be written about the successful installation of the driver. To finish, press the button "Ready".

To check whether the device is installed correctly, you need to do the following.


Method 2: General Update Programs

This and all subsequent methods are suitable for installing drivers not only for integrated network adapters, but also for external ones. We have often mentioned programs that scan all devices on a computer or laptop and identify outdated or missing drivers. Then they download the necessary software and install it automatically. In fact, this method is universal, as it copes with the task in the vast majority of cases. The choice of programs for automatically updating drivers is very extensive. We looked at them in more detail in a separate lesson.

Let's take an example of the process of updating drivers for a network card using the utility.


Method 3: Hardware ID


Now, knowing the unique ID of the network card, you can easily download the necessary software for it. What needs to be done next is described in detail in our lesson on searching for software by device IDs.

Method 4: Device Manager

For this method you will need to do the first two steps from the previous method. After this, you need to do the following.


We hope that these methods will help you solve the problem with installing drivers for network cards. We strongly recommend storing the most important drivers on external storage media. This way you can avoid a situation where you need to install software, but the Internet is not at hand. If you have problems or questions during the software installation process, ask them in the comments. We'll be happy to help.

The network adapter is one of the main components of a computer, because it is difficult to even imagine a PC that is not connected to the Internet. Microsoft is aware of this, so support for the vast majority of network cards is already included in the distribution of the Windows 7 operating system. But time and progress do not stand still: almost eight years have passed since the release of Windows 7, new network controllers and even methods have appeared data transfers, and with them new network adapters. The use of such components requires additional settings both at the stage of OS installation and during its operation.

Why configure a network card in Windows 7

Changing the basic settings of the network adapter may be necessary to expand the range of tasks performed by the network client computer:

  • fine-tuning Wi-Fi in operating conditions with a large number of wireless devices (apartment building, office building);
  • installing drivers for a network card that is not supported by the OS out of the box;
  • some Internet providers (VPN, pptp, wimax) require additional configuration of network parameters;
  • installation and configuration of long wireless communication channels using RadioEthernet adapters.
The wireless adapter provides communication at a distance of up to two kilometers

How to find out what kind of network cards are installed in the system

You can find out the presence and number of active network adapters on your PC using one of the following methods: viewing the “Network Adapters” branch in the “Device Manager” system utility or analyzing the contents of the network connections in the control panel.


Or open Device Manager using the command line:


If you have installed software packages for working with a 3G modem, VPN clients or virtual machines, then both the “Device Manager” and “Network Connections” will additionally display software network cards created by these programs.

Forcibly turning off such adapters can lead to the most unpredictable consequences, including the inability to boot the PC.

Video: how to find out the model of your network card

How to enable or disable a network card (including using BIOS)

For laptops, turning network interfaces on and off is available using a key combination; for desktop PCs, using the BIOS or Control Panel settings.


To disable the wireless network adapter on a laptop, press the Fn+F12 combination or use the special switch on the case. Some laptop models automatically disable network interfaces when you select the maximum power saving profile or when you disconnect the cable from the network adapter.


The button to disable the wireless network adapter on some laptop models is located on the top panel

You can disable the network card programmatically through “Network Connections”.


USB, Cardbus or PCMCIA network cards support hot disconnection. The easiest way to disconnect them is to simply remove them from the corresponding connector. Do not forget to first disconnect the network cable (patch cord) from them.

Video: how to enable a network card using BIOS

How to install a network driver on Windows 7 (including without the Internet)

Since the network card is used primarily to access the Internet, its inoperability makes automatic driver installation difficult. Fortunately, drivers for a network card, like any other device, can be installed into the system by first recording them onto removable media.


Using the DriverPack Solution service, you can install the missing drivers automatically, without wasting time searching, downloading and installing. The DriverPack Online version downloads almost instantly and does not take up much disk space.

Video: how to install a network adapter driver without Internet access

Setting up a network card

Most Internet providers practice fully automatic configuration of the client's network card, but in some cases additional configuration of network adapters may be required. This could be using two channels from different providers, distributing 3G Internet using a computer without using a router, setting up Wi-Fi repeaters and other work scenarios. This is especially true for configurations with multiple network cards.

How to find out the network card settings - IP address, MAC address and IP address of the provider gateway and change them

In most cases, the network card receives settings for the IP address, gateway address and DNS server automatically from the router (router). And on the provider’s side, a DHCP server is probably running, which will provide your card with settings automatically. But in some cases, you may need to manually configure these important parameters. The easiest way to do this is through the “Network Connections” window.


Carefully make changes to the network card settings. An error in even one digit will render the network inoperable. In the worst case, you can cause an address conflict with another computer and it will also lose access to the network.

You can view the settings of a network card, as well as its physical (MAC) address, using system utilities that are launched from the command line.


Video: how to configure a network card on Windows 7

How to update a network card

Updating network card drivers is almost no different from installing them, except for the location of the network adapter in Device Manager. If an adapter without drivers was in the “Unknown devices” branch, then the working one, as it should, will be located in the “Network adapters” branch.
Normally functioning network cards are located in the “Network adapters” branch

Video: how to update the network driver

Is it possible to create two network cards

In the network life of each user, there may be a need for a second network adapter in the computer. It would seem that it could be simpler: add another card to the expansion slot and you’re done. But a tablet computer or netbook cannot be helped in this way; their expansion capabilities are extremely limited. In this case, a virtual network card can help. It will do an excellent job of distributing traffic between two network segments, filtering Internet streams, watching digital television and other tasks. Adding it is not difficult at all: this feature is preinstalled in the Windows operating system itself.


How to reset all network driver settings

If your Internet suddenly disappears or most web pages do not open, one of the solutions to the problem is to completely reset the settings and TCP/IP protocol stack.


Video: Resetting TCP/IP protocol settings in Windows 7

How to disable the adapter

To disable a network card, it is best to use Device Manager, a standard operating system tool. Select a card from the “Network adapters” section, and select “Disable” from the top menu of the program. The network card will be turned off instantly; there is no need to restart the computer.
Disabling a network card is done using the “Device Manager”

Disabling the network card will result in a loss of the Internet connection and disconnection from the local network. If you have files open on network drives, be sure to save them before disconnecting the adapter, otherwise the data in them may be damaged or lost.

What to do if you have problems with your network card

Most often, problems arise with wired network adapters, because in multi-story buildings, cable routes are laid by providers in boxes not intended for this purpose, adjacent to high-voltage wires, telephone pairs and antenna television cables. High humidity and low temperatures have a detrimental effect on the wire insulation and sooner or later a breakdown occurs in the cable. The cause of the breakdown can also be caused by high voltage current during a thunderstorm or from higher voltage neighbors. It's rare that a network card can survive such an adventure. It either burns out completely, or begins to behave incorrectly, in cable industry jargon - “glitch”.
A high voltage discharge passing through the cable led to the destruction of the integrated network card chip

The network adapter does not have valid IP settings

A very common problem caused by incorrect communication between the router and the network adapter is when the adapter does not have valid settings. The result is predictable: the network connection becomes inoperable, and the Network Diagnostic Tool displays an error message.

There are several options to fix the error: turn the router on and off; Disconnect the power supply from the router (or turn it off with the button, if there is one), wait 5-10 seconds and turn the router on again. When you restart, the DHCP server is initialized, the problematic network adapter will receive a new IP address, and the problem will be resolved.

You can also update the IP address programmatically. To do this, enter a couple of lines in the command prompt window: ipconfig /release and ipconfig renew, then close the command prompt window and check whether your network connection is restored.

The last method is to reset and clean up the TCP/IP stack. It can be damaged by malware (viruses) or by inept use of Internet connection optimization utilities. Open the Command Prompt window again and enter the following commands (without the semicolon):

  • netsh int ip reset;
  • nets int tcp reset;
  • netsh winsock reset.

After this, restart your computer. Now the network adapter will work correctly.

For lazy users who don't want to bother with the boring command line, Microsoft has released a utility that will make all the corrections automatically. Download the Netshell program from the Microsoft website, run and follow the instructions of the patch wizard.

The error “This device cannot start is displayed Code 10”

This problem almost never occurs on laptops; desktop computers that can be expanded with PCI cards are susceptible to it. The cause of the error is a conflict between the software resources of the integrated network adapter and one (several) expansion cards in the PCI slots.
Expansion cards may conflict with the network adapter and cause it to fail

Remove all cards from the expansion slots and start the computer in this configuration - the error should disappear.

The problem of starting the device can also be resolved by leaving all expansion cards in place, but reinstalling the system from scratch.

The network adapter does not work and will not install

The vulnerability of wired network cards to atmospheric and static electricity often causes adapter failure during thunderstorms, electrical work, or even power surges. Laying long sections of network cable outdoors “over the air” increases the risk of damage several times. If your provider practices laying cable routes along the outside of the building walls, you are at risk. The next rain with lightning or even the operation of a welding machine in the entrance can cause your network card to stop working, and an attempt to install drivers for it will lead to an error.

Only replacing the network adapter will solve the problem. For a desktop computer - PCI standard, and for a laptop - USB or PCMCIA. A PCMCIA network card will bring your laptop back to life

Try to connect the Internet cable from your provider to the router, and then connect computers to it. After all, the failure of an inexpensive router cannot be compared with the failure of an integrated laptop adapter, or even damage to the entire motherboard.

Windows 7 does not see the network adapter

If the network adapter is not displayed in the “Network Connections” window and is not visible in the “Device Manager”, as well as in the “Unknown Devices” section, then the probable cause of this is the failure of the hardware of the network card. Repairing the network adapter integrated into the card is not economically feasible. The best solution to the problem is to buy a new network card and install it in the computer.
An adapter with a PCIx interface can replace not one, but four network cards

A damaged integrated network adapter should be disabled using BIOS setup tools.

Network card settings are lost

When you try to manually register the TCP/IP address of the gateway and DNS server, the settings are not saved, but are reset to default values, that is, addresses are automatically obtained from the router. The reason may be incorrect removal or reinstallation of a third-party antivirus system with firewall functions.

Reset the TCP/IP protocol and clear its stack. Open a command prompt window and type the following instructions (without the semicolon):

  • netsh int ip reset;
  • nets int tcp reset;
  • netsh winsock reset.

Restart your computer. Now the network adapter will work correctly and all settings will be successfully saved.

A non-working network adapter can put the user in a difficult situation, because it also means no access to the Internet. But a flash drive with a driver, command line utilities and, of course, the Control Panel will help you easily fix all problems and return your computer to full functionality. The same applies to fine-tuning a wireless network, eliminating conflicts between network clients and obtaining the highest possible speed.

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