can't connect to LAN

[acechaulmers]

I have a Dell Inspiron 1525 laptop with Vista home basic. I can connect to the internet via wireless, yet I cannot connect via a local cable. It doesn't even say "cable unplugged", it simply doesn't recognize the cable whatsoever. Can someone help me with this? Thanks. (Apologies to Crucial Hoax, this is a repost from February to which you replied, I just never got around to following up with you) P.S. I know very little about computers, so replies that have the least amount of jargon would be the most helpful. Thanks.

 

[Retirednow]

What does the Device Manager say about your Network Interface Card (NIC)? Is there a yellow flag or red "X" by it. What do you have for your Operating System (OS), XP, Vista or Win 7?

 

[acechaulmers]

Where do I find the device manager and info about the NIC? Like I said, I know nothing about computers. You're going to have to walk me through this. I really appreciate it. I have Vista.

 

[Retirednow]

Click on the Windows Globe/start button, right click on"Computer", left click on Manage in the window that opens, then in the window that opens up, look in the left pane and left click on Device Manager. In the right pane left click on the Plus sign next to Network adapters.

 

[acechaulmers]

There are yellow flags next to the "Microsoft 6to4 Adapter #17" and "...#24" Thanks.

 

[acechaulmers]

In details it says this: "This device is not working properly because Windows cannot load the drivers required for this device. (Code 31)" When I try to update for latest driver software, it says that the latest driver software is already installed.

 

[Retirednow]

The network adapter in Device Manager should say something like Intel or Realtek and not Microsoft. Dell usually uses Intel Network adapter cards. Can you paste a copy of your device manager back here?

 

[acechaulmers]

Sorry, I don't know how to do that. Under Network Adapters I have 1) a VPN, 2) Dell Wireless 1395 WLAN Mini-card, 3) and the Microsoft 6to4 Adapters that I already mentioned. The two Microsoft Adapters have yellow flags, and nothing else is of note.

 

[Retirednow]

Do you have the two CD/DVD's that came with your laptop? One will be the re-install of the OS to factory setting and the other one will be the device drivers.

 

[tom982]

Sorry, I don't know how to do that. Under Network Adapters I have 1) a VPN, 2) Dell Wireless 1395 WLAN Mini-card, 3) and the Microsoft 6to4 Adapters that I already mentioned. The two Microsoft Adapters have yellow flags, and nothing else is of note.

To do a screenshot of your device manager you will first need to have the device manager open. Then you will need to press Alt+Prnt Scrn, this will add the image to your clipboard. You will now need to open Paint, or any other graphics editing software and paste the image there. Then save it and upload it to here.