If you installed the post OS device drivers in the improper order, you have to reformat and re-install the OS, again. Then, install the device drivers in the proper order. Simply, re-installing the device drivers over an improper device driver installation doesn't fix the problem...

 

Maybe I didnt explain properly in the first post.

 

Thats what I did do today, reformatted my  hd, reinstalled Windows Pro and installed all the drivers in the order that is given.

So Im not sure what the problem might be.

 

 

Okay, what do you show in your Device Manager for ethernet controller or network adapters? Any yellow marks? What operating system do you have on the I 5100?

Ethernet controller looks fine, no yellow ! and appears to be working ok.

 

the Belkin wireless does have a yellow ! and no amount of reinstall seems to change  that.

Im using Win XP Pro on th 5100, which I just installed with this format, as I had Win XP home previously.

 

Thanks :)

 

I am a little confused...you said in your OP that you can't get the ethernet connection to work and then you state in your last post that the ethernet controller is working fine. Which is correct?

 

What model # is the Belkin wireless card? What wireless router do you have?(brand/model#)

ok as I realised there was a version on the wireless card, I went and downloaded the latest driver for that version that is avaiallable. I installed it as per instructions with the belkin software. However, when that finished, the windows wizard which pops up automatically said that

 

'There was a problem installing this software Network Controller

An error occurred during installation of the device

 

The name is already in use as either a service name or a service display name.

 

Click finish to close the wizard.'

 

then I get the bubble on the task bar telling me the same thing and that the hardware might not work properly...

And sure enough there it is again in the device manager , that little yellow ! in the list.

 

 

I have never updated the bios, should I have? I have A22 which is how it came. Could that be some of the problem?

 

And if you think I should upgrade the bios, is there a way to do it properly as Ive never upgaded a bios before.

 

Thanks again for your help.

yeah Im sorry, Ive probably not explained very well.

 

The ethernet card shows in the device manager as being working ok and no yellow! beside it, but it still wont connect to the router.

 

The router is a *Bebox provided by my ISP but is actually a Thomson Speedtouch 780WL.

 

The Belkin wireless card is Wireless G Notebook Network card part # F5D7010

theres a version on the back which is 3000 ( just noticed) if that might make a difference to the wireless  problem.

Are you uninstalling the drivers before re-installing them? Follow the steps here and then see how many drivers you have still remaining in Device Manager?

 

Your router is an ADSL modem/router, you should check to make sure all the network settings are identical on both router and computer?(security encryption, network name, default settings, etc.)

 

It couldn't hurt to update the BIOS...follow the installation instructions from the BIOS update web page.

 

If, I am reading your router's user guide correctly, you can connect your router via ethernet and USB to access the internet? That's not something the can be done here in the U.S. Which are you using?

 

 

 

 

ok before I follow the suggested guide you pointed me to for drivers, I'll answer the other stuff.

Im uninstalling drivers to the best of my knowledge, ie using uninstall features rather than just disable or remove.

 

Im using the ethernet connection for the router. USB connections dont tend to be as effective ( Im told).

 

I'll get back to you again when I get through the steps for removing ubused drivers, and maybe update the BIOS.

 

Thanks again for your patience.:womanhappy:

 

 

 

 

ok, I followed that guide you gave me to show hidden devices,

heres the list that its shows under Network adapters.

 

1394 Net Adapter

Broadcom 440x 10/100 Integrated controller

Broadcom 440x 10/100 Integrated controller - Packet Scheduler Miniport

Direct Parallel

Network Controller (greyed out)

RAS Async Adapter (greyed out)

WAN Miniport (IP)

WAN Miniport (IP) - Packet Scheduler Miniport

WAN Miniport (L2TP)

WAN Miniport (PPPOE)

WAN Miniport (PPTP)

 

 

I should point out that I have since had a reply from tech support email here in UK, and they asked me to do this:

 

1. Enter the safe mode please refer to the following link

http://support.euro.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/dsn/en/document?docid=D41C1035DA931D48E030A68F27280F83&c=uk&l=en&s=gen

2. Then please install the NIC drivers with the help of provided link below:

http://support.euro.dell.com/support/downloads/download.aspx?c=uk&l=en&s=gen&releaseid=R54631&SystemID=INS_PNT_P4_5100&servicetag=JZR8W0J&os=WW1&osl=en&deviceid=2966&devlib=0&typecnt=0&vercnt=1&catid=-1&impid=-1&formatcnt=1&libid=5&fileid=64853

When that gave me an error, he told me to do this:

 

1. Enter the safe mode please refer to the following link http://support.euro.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/dsn/en/document?docid=D41C1035DA931D48E030A68F27280F83&c=uk&l=en&s=gen

2. Then please refer the provided link below for ?How do I remove drivers in Microsoft. Windows. using Device Manager??

http://support.euro.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/dsn/en/document?docid=191E87C849CE40549649F901085C32E5&c=uk&l=en&s=gen#2

3. Now restart the system in normal mode and then reinstall the NIC drivers with the help of provided link below:

http://support.euro.dell.com/support/downloads/download.aspx?c=uk&l=en&s=gen&releaseid=R54631&SystemID=INS_PNT_P4_5100&servicetag=JZR8W0J&os=WW1&osl=en&deviceid=2966&devlib=0&typecnt=0&vercnt=1&catid=-1&impid=-1&formatcnt=1&libid=5&fileid=64853

 

That just took me back to square 1, with the problem as it was in the beginning.

Then I followed your  guide for viewing hidden drivers.

I might now go and read up on BIOS upgrade :)

 

Do the installation instructions for your Belkin card tell you to install the driver software before, or after installation of the PC wireless card? When you uninstall the drivers for the card and after system reboot, do you get the "Found New Hardware" wizard window?

The instructions for the belkin card tell you to install the software and put the card in when prompted.

The windows xp wizard does come up and Ive tried it both ways, cancelling the wizard and continuing with it. I cant put my hand on the booklet just now but I think it actually tells you to ignore the windows wizard.

 

I got another email from the UK tech guys at dell asking me to do a clean reinstallation. So I'll go do that meantime, following their instructions to the letter.

 

I'll post back again after that.

 

Thanks:)

 

 

ohh and btw I did flash the BIOS with no problems so at least Im up to date with that  :D

Ok, Im sure you are getting fed up with me now :(

 

However, heres a new one for you. Progress in one way.

 

I did a complete new and clean install of windows and installed drivers.

The ethernet link still as before, but, the wireless card is trying to connect now as long as I let windows handle the connection.

 

The problem now is that the connection drops every few seconds and doesnt stay up long enough to aquire a network address.

 

Cant be distance because Im right next to the router which is at my desktop.could other factors be influencing it? Like cordless phone TV?

 

TV is on but the phone isnt being used while Im doing this.

 

Thanks again :)

I can't really provide RF interference advise on your home products because British and American specs can be vastly different. I would advise you to power cycle your home network after each of these driver changes.

Network Power cycle steps:

1) Power everything off. (cable/DSL modem, router, computers, etc.)
2) Wait 5 minutes...
3) Power on cable/DSL modem, wait 1-2 minutes...
4) Power on router, wait an additional 1-2 minutes...
5) Power on remaining computers or components.
6) Check for network and Internet connection.

 

I'm sorry you're experiencing so much difficulty in getting this to work...

Did you adjust any of the router settings after reinstalling Windows on the I 5100?

Are you still getting the yellow(!) for the wireless adapter in Device Manager?

 

In order to help troubleshoot the I 5100, it may help to post a ipconfig/all result?

Click Start > Run > type cmd in address block > at flashing cursor type ipconfig/all > Copy and Paste results to a text file(Word or Notepad) > Copy contents of text file to forum post?