Demension 4600 Ethernet Controller

Question

Hello,     I just reinstalled Windows XP and I cant use my Ethernet Port to connect to the internet, I am currently connected via USB. I checked my hardware device manager and there is a big yellow question mark next to 'Ethernet Controller'.     Could this mean that I need to download a driver inorder to get this to work again? If so, could anyone tell me where to go?

volcano11 · Answer

Yes, you need to install the drivers for the ethernet network adapter.  If you did not do so, you need to install the chipset drivers for your motherboard, and these should have been the first drivers installed after reinstallation of Windows.  The chipset drivers can be downloaded from:   http://support.dell.com/support/downloads/download.aspx?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs&releaseid=R58201&SystemID=DIM_P4_4600&os=WW1&osl=en&deviceid=3268&devlib=0&typecnt=1&vercnt=2&formatcnt=1&fileid=70069   The network adapter drivers can be downloaded from:   http://support.dell.com/support/downloads/type.aspx?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs&SystemID=DIM_P4_4600&os=WW1&osl=en&deviceid=2834   Steve

Chicito · Answer

I downloaded the drivers, installed them and it didnt work, my computer still doesnt detect the Network adapter.     Any other suggestions?

volcano11 · Answer

If you expand the listing for Network Adapters in Device Manager, does the ethernet adapter show up?  Did you install the chipset drivers first? Exactly what do you mean when you say your computer does not detect the ethernet adapter?    Steve

Chicito · Answer

This is what it looks like in my Device Manager

Network Adapters-

-1394 Net Adapter

-Westell Wirespeed Dual Connect Modem (This is my Modem connected via USB)

Other Devices-

- *Yellow Question mark* Ethernet Controller

Chicito · Answer

I did install the chip drivers before the Network drivers , than I installed the Network drivers from the links you provided. Nothing happened, everything remained the same.

volcano11 · Answer

Please answer all of my questions - Did you install the chipset drivers first? What happens when you try to install the ethernet adapter drivers - please be as specific as you can - I cannot see your computer or read your mind from this end of the internet.

Steve

volcano11 · Answer

Again, I need you to provide details. You said you installed the drivers, but apparently you did not install the drivers. Explain to me step by step what you did to install the drivers. Did you run the file after you downloaded it? Did it unzip to a directory on your hard drive? Did it then offer to install the drivers?

Steve

Chicito · Answer

I can't really explain it but, it started working again all of a sudden, i rebooted my computer a few hours after that (with a few reboots in bewteen) and it said in the taskbar "A network cable is unplugged".

So I went to the device manager and the "Yellow Question Mark" wasnt there. I reinstalled my DSL software and it detected the Ethernet Port.

I'm guessing it took a while to install itself.

Thank you for your help

Networking, Internet, & Bluetooth

Demension 4600 Ethernet Controller

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