Cannot connect to the internet - device missing?

Question

Hi,

I have a Win7 laptop. Since Sunday 8th March it can't connect to the internet via either wifi or ethernet cable. I found this: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows\_7-networking/error-code-797-connection-is-not-available-because/f1cceaef-2ebd-452b-ab60-66c33e07a0a4

I had the error code 797, but when I followed the instructions in the link regarding the network adapter, I found the following under Network Connections:

Broadband Connection Unavailable - device missing.

Um.. 1.) how can a device go missing without a person uninstalling it?

2.) what do I do to go about re-installing it?

3. could this be due to a Windows automatic update?

Thanks.

Answer 1

SC

Please check device manager for the network adapters.  Are they listed under networking?  Do they have a yellow exclamation point "!" over them?  Are there any unknown devices?

Answer 2

I just got my laptop back on-line about 2 days ago after I pulled a rookie mistake by not making a back up when I reinstalled Windows 7. It's been since the beginning of January and I tried everything to no avail until I went on Microsoft's driver download page, using a pc  that did have an internet connection and downloaded the drivers onto a flash drive ,and then loaded them onto the broke down one. I downloaded every one I could get but in hindsight, all  I really needed were the ones for the Ethernet and once you set it up properly in your Network and Sharing you're good. Once you have the internet connection, go into Device Manager go down the list one by one updating the driver software and this reply is proof that it works. When thats all done you've got to go back and put in your internet providers  name and password,etc  and that  number is on the side of your router. The most important thing is the flash drive. And the other pc. I 've only been messing with this laptop for about 3 months. Screwed it up the first month and messed with it for 2 more until I finally got it! Let me know how it works out.Good Luck

Answer 3

Hi,

Sorry, been rather caught up with things.

There's bout 11 nwetwork adaptors listed in the device manager, most WAN miniports, and all of them have the yellow triangle exclamation point over them.

Can't see any unknown devices listed.

Neither wifi nor ethernet cable works to connect to the internet.

Thanks.