Network card not detected after win 7 install; wireless is fine

[LeftCoast]

Hi all,

I just installed Windows 7 on an old laptop (Toshiba A105-s4074) and everything is working great except I can't get it to recognize the Intel PRO/100 VE network card in device manager; the wireless onboard card is working fine.

I know it says Win 7 is unsupported for this earlier model 105-s4074 (some later ones are fully supported), but I'm sure the driver isn't the issue...if the hardware gets detected, I'm sure I can get a driver to work. The hardware is in working order as I've been running XP Pro on it for 6 months with no detection/connection issues. At that time I had flashed the BIOS to the latest available.

I've tried all the things I can think of...scanning for hardware changes, checking bios settings (and even using fail-safe settings), installing the xp driver for it (did not detect the hardware), using Intel's detection software (no detection), Intel's driver installation tool, forcing legacy hardware install, and even DriverMax utility, but still nothing. It's just as though the LAN isn't even there.

Again, if I can get the damn device recognized, I'm sure I can make it work...any ideas? I'm this close to just doing another fresh install and hoping that will do it, but I'd rather not.

Any ideas?

Thanks in advance.

[MD1032]

Sounds like it's disabled in the BIOS. Look around in there for the "onboard device" section and make sure everything is enabled.

[electric]

is Microsoft auto updates turned on ? if not do so

windows may give you the driver you need,reinstalling windows isn't going to help
I'm afraid. also check optional updates

you can also used Vista drivers if any can be found for your device

cheers

[LeftCoast]

MD1032, thanks, but I'd already done all that prior to posting.

Electric, thanks. The driver may or may not be an issue, but it's not the issue now; the issue now is that the goddamned device isn't showing up to allow me to install a driver.

I think I'm to the point or reinstalling Windows 7 to see if the LAN shows as a device. If not, I need to consider some kind of external or slot card NIC.

Thanks, and I'll update with results.


Worst-case, I think this is all I need to have (USB 2.0 10/100Mbps RJ45 LAN EithernetAdapter Dongle)

USB 2.0 10/100Mbps RJ45 LAN Ethernet Network Adapter Dongle - Free Shipping - DealExtreme

[LeftCoast]

Device still not being recognized, despite wipe/reinstall of Windows 7...I see a USB to RJ45 LAN dongle in my immediate future.

It's basically a desktop due to display issues anyway, so whatever. I like the way it runs on Win 7, so I'll do it.