Open Device Manager

Press [Windows] and [Pause|Break] or right click Computer and select properties. On this screen select Device manager (to the left).

Note if the processor is Intel or AMD which will correspond to the mainboard.

The device manager Windows will open:

Expand Network Adapters. If the Wireless Card is identified its name will be shown under Network Adapters.

If it is not identified you might have an unknown device for example: 

• "(?) Network Controller"

In order to identify the device, right click and select properties. Select the details tab and the select Hardware Ids under properties:

 

A large number of common hardware ids in Dell systems are listed on Dell Unofficial Driver Sets - Dell Wireless Cards.

On this page press Ctrl and f to bring up the search within Internet Explorer or your preferred browser:

If your hardware ID is listed you should be able to identify your wireless card. Install the driver listed on Dell Unofficial Driver Sets - Dell Wireless Cards for your Operating System or get the driver Dell list for your model on the Dell FTP Website.

If you are looking for an Ethernet Controller it won't be listed on this page but you can get the driver Dell list for your model on the Dell FTP Website as few models have variants of Ethernet Controller.

Note Dell Unofficial Driver Sets - Dell Wireless Cards is not yet complete and may not list the hardware ID for every wireless card. In addition if drivers for other devices aren't installed they might also show up as a unknown device.

Before installing the driver for the wireless card or Ethernet controller ensure that the following prerequisites are installed otherwise functionality may be hindered:

• Windows 7 → Service Pack 1*  → Dell System Software → Intel Chipset Software Installation Utility**

• Windows 8 →  Intel Chipset Software Installation Utility**

Failure to install the above prerequisites before the wireless driver may result in impaired functionality

* May be included on your installation media already.
** Intel Systems Only ↔ Go to Computer and Properties and check if the Processor is Intel. If the Processor is Intel install Intel Chipset Software Installation Utility.