Why doesnt my ethernet connection work???

Question

i have another computer and a laptop.....they both work and this DELL desktop i erased everything off of it and reinstalled windows xp SP3 and now the ethernet connection does not work......oh yeah and i cant go on the internet either.......

Answer 1

If you just reformatted and reinstalled windows, chances are you dont have the drivers for your network card installed. I'm guessing you used an actual Windows disc, as opposed to the Dell discs that came with the system.

Use your other computer to go to dell's support site, enter the service tag on the laptop, and you can find a download for the network card drivers. Save them on a flash disk or something and install it on the laptop.

Once you get the laptop online, right-click on My Computer, then go to Properties. Go to the Hardware tab, then click Device Manager. Now look for any devices in there that have exclamation points. You're gonna need to also download the drivers for any of those other devices that didn't get installed.

Answer 2

When you reloaded it, you need to install the drivers for it.  Go to the Dell website and do 'support' or 'drivers' and search for the make and model.  It is pretty easy to find them and then download the driver for the ethernet card in the desktop.  After that the ethernet/internet (they use the same connection by the way) will work just fine.  While you are there you may want to check to make sure all of the other drivers are installed (sound/video/etc.).  Good luck, if you need more help leave a message or email me.