Silly, But No Doubt Easy Driver Question

Sorry, Sandeep, we're not on the same page.  I simply want to install a wired network adapter - not a Bluetooth anything and not a wireless adapter. Just a plain vanilla ethernet adapter.

Hi boweasel,

Welcome to the community.

I would like to inform you there might be different card for bluetooth and wireless installed on the system. That is the reason we have different drivers available.

Please let me know which wireless card is installed on the system so we can provide you with the appropriate drivers for the same. You can check the below link to identify the same:

http://dell.to/Vyb1tp

Please provide us this information so that we can be in a better position to understand and resolve this issue.

Thanks and Regards
Sandeep P
#iworkfordell

Hi boweasel,

You can download the latest ethernet (network) driver for your system from the link below:

http://dell.to/WimkUZ

Please install the same on the system and let us know if you require any further assistance.

Thanks and Regards
Sandeep P
#iworkfordell

Okay, the Intel driver you gave me is the same one on the disk.  When I reinstalled Vista I did not delete the partition that contained the Windows 8 OS that wouldn't boot.  I re-reinstalled Vista, and this time I deleted the partition.  The Broadcom 802.11n was in my Network Adapter devices (with the yellow triangle) before I installed any drivers (I don't get that), but I installed the chipset and the wireless and Intel Wired adapters from the disk and I was able to connect.

The problem now is that I also later installed all the video adapters from the disk.  After that was done everything seemed fine except for Vista being woefully aout of date.  I set a restore point, downloaded and installed IE8 (the disk installed IE7), restarted successfully, went to Windows Update and let it install 176 updates.

When the PC rebooted, all I got was a black screen.  A little closer examination, and another reboot showed that the display is working okay up to the splash screen.  What used to happen was that the screen would go dark for a couple seconds, then I'd see the cursor, I'd hear the Welcome tune, see the word welcome and I'd be on my desktop.  Now, I see the splash screen, the screen goes dark, and stays dark.  I can hear the welcome tune, but I see no cursor or anything.

I can, however boot into safe mode with networking, and the display works fine.  Is this current problem related to one of the video drivers, or something from the Windows Update?

Hi boweasel,

This might be happening on the system if Windows is not installed properly. Please check the link below to run startup repair on the system using Vista disc:

http://dell.to/VbRt7X

If after startup repair as well issue persists then you might have to re install the windows on the system. Please check the link below for the instructions:

http://dell.to/j6ImBB

Thanks and Regards
Sandeep P
#iworkfordell

Sandeep.  there were 2 Intel devices listed under Display adapters.  They were both called G45/G43 Express Chipset.  I have no idea why there were 2, but I disabled both of them, and was able to boot normally..

Hi boweasel,

Its great to hear system is working fine after disabling the intel driver. I would request you to kindly uninstall the Intel drivers first.

Restart the system and then install the Intel drivers from the link below:

http://dell.to/VKTjPO

Please check the same and let us know.

Thanks and Regards
Sandeep P
#iworkfordell