Can't connect to wifi after factory reset

[slightlyinsanee]

This morning I had to do a factory reset on my Presario SR5214X. Everything came out of it working fine, except now I can't connect to wifi. The only options it gives me for an internet connection are broadband and dial-up. Wifi was working fine before the reset, and I installed the only network driver update available on the website, but it still doesn't seem to recognize any kind of wireless connection. The computer is a good 5 or 6 years old, but it was running alright and everything seemed fine before. What do I have to update or install to get the computer to work with wifi again?

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi:

According to the product specs for your PC, it did not come from the factory with wireless capabiltiy.

In the device manager there should be something labeled a Network Controller listed under Other Devices.

The Network Controller will be flagged with a little yellow ! mark, meaning it needs a driver installed.

Please click on that and post the hardware ID for it.  Then I will try to find the applicable driver for it.

If you don't know where to find the hardware ID, please see the guide below.

The hardware id for a device in Windows can be found in the Windows Device Manager. To check the hardware id for a device, follow these steps:

1. Open the Device Manager from the Control Panel. You can also type “devmgmt.msc” at the Run option in the Start menu.
2. In the Device Manager, right-click the device, and select Properties in the popup menu.
3. Next, select the Details tab.
4. Now select the Hardware Ids in the Property dropdown list.

[slightlyinsanee]

The only thing under "other devices" is an ethernet controller, hardware IDs are

PCI\\VEN_168C&DEV_0013&SUBSYS_5E001385&REV_01

PCI\\VEN_168C&DEV_0013&SUBSYS_5E001385

PCI\\VEN_168C&DEV_0013&CC_020000

PCI\\VEN_168C&DEV_0013&CC_0200

[Paul_Tikkanen · Accepted solution]

Hi:

There could be a couple brands that have this hardware ID but it shouldn't matter.

Try the driver from this model.

http://www.dlink.com/uk/en/support/product/dwl-g520-802-11g-wireless-lan-pci-card?revision=deu_revb

You can automatically install the driver by running the setup file once you unzip the download, or you can just install the driver manually by clicking on the ethernet controller in the device manager. Click on the driver tab. Click on Update Driver. Select the "Browse my Computer for software" method and browse to the folder you unzipped.

Make sure the Include Subfolders box is checked and the driver should install.

I'm not sure if the setup file also installs connection software (which I don't like particularly since I let Windows manage my network connections).

Manually installing the bare driver will prevent the installation of additional software.

If for some reason that driver doesn't work, then try the one from this model.

http://support.netgear.com/product/WPN311