Since you just reinstalled your OS you need to follow these INSTRUCTIONS on reloading drivers.. my guess is you have not loaded the chipset.

Dave is correct; it appears you have not installed some of the required drivers.  The full list of drivers for the 4700 (assuming you are running WinXP) is:

• Dell Desktop System Software
• Intel Chipset drivers for ICH6 Systems
• Intel Grantsdale G Integrated Video
• Analog Devices ADI 198x Integrated Audio
• Intel (R) PRO/100 VE Network Connection
• Intel PROSet II Network Diagnostics
• Drivers for any PCI or PCI Express cards installed.

Make sure to install the Desktop System Software or the Chipset won't properly see some components.

Thanks for the information-I will follow the instructions and send a reply Monday if it works.  Thanks again.  I am actually in the computer field, but am having a difficult time fixing this problem.  Thanks.

Could there be something else?  Ive installed all the drivers including (R) PRO/100 VE Network Connection, yet on boot up I get a "NIC Failure".  I think it must be something with not having the driver or port or something?  I have no local area connections icon.  In device manager there is no network icon...everything is missing concerning the network.  Do you know how I can determine what the integrated NIC is or how to get it to work?

The Intel (R) PRO/100 VE Network Connection is the integrated NIC on the motherboard.  If reinstalling the drivers didn't change anything then it appears I was wrong about it "just" being a missing driver (and to think, this would be so much easier if it had just been the driver ;)).

 

If you go into the BIOS (F2 at the Dell splash screen, just after powering on) what status does it show for the onboard NIC?

I tried combinations of turning it "on" and "off"-nothing worked.  Why is it on other pcs when I install windows the "network adaptors" icon appears, but this machine does not?  I think I am missing the drivers still-so I will try finding out who manufactures the internal nic/motherboard and download more drivers.....I'm thinking of going to intels website and downloading older drivers.  All this was caused by using a program/software to "clean" the harddrive, which was more than a format c:....must have really stripped the harddrive......weird how it is very difficult to get the drivers back.  I read stuff on the internet that others simply got a new motherboard and it worked.  I'm thinking that's weird.

What are the lights doing next to ethernet plug? are they on, blinking?

If getting a "NIC faillure" it is possible that the NIC failed. It is built into the motherboard so you would either have to get a new motherboard or buy a usb or plug in adapter.

Lighs are on-I checked with the broadband company, everything is good on their end.  I guess I'm going to try old drivers tonight and if that does not work, i'll just give up and buy a new network card and disregard the internal network card.......very weird stuff.....why this is not a very common problem with Dell's internal ethernet card is odd.  Seems to me it could not be a hardware failure since the problem was caused by deleting/cleaning the harddrive.......so i wonder.....how does a pc get a ip address...would the broadband company give this to me?....as I am thinking that might be the next step?

If your computer is directly connected to the cable/DSL modem then it would get its IP address from the ISP (or the modem if it was also a router) either via DHCP (dynamic) or by manual configuration (static address).  If you have your own router (e.g. a Linksys or D-Link) connected to the cable/DSL modem then the router's WAN (external) port would get an IP address from teh ISP (as above), while any computers you have connected to the router would get their IP address from the router (via the LAN (internal) ports, and typically using DHCP).

 

If you are using DHCP to assign IP address then the computer sends a request to the network asking for an address.  The first DHCP server to 'hear' the request then replies directly back to the computer with an address for it to use.  If any part of that request-response process is blocked (e.g. by a firewall on the computer) then the computer will not get an address.

........hmmm i'll reply tomorrow, thursday

 

thanks!