[maltese46]

That would mean disconnecting the peripherals and moving the desktop and the monitor into the bedroom where the router is. Could I search for the device on my laptop, download it to a jump drive, and install it on the problem computer?

[NeonFx]

Of coarse you can. That is what I attempted to do but was apparently unable to find the right drivers for it. I must tell you I have only seen this once before, and it was because the installed NIC was not the standard one that came with the computer.

The first driver I obtained from the HP support website. That is the one they have for your computer model.
The second driver I gave you was the one I found by researching Foxconn wireless drivers.

I do apologize for any inconvenience my instructions caused.

[NeonFx]

You might try something here:

http://www.foxconnchannel.com/support/downloads.aspx

Edit:
Nevermind, the one at that website is only for win98 which would be incompatible with your card and setup.

[maltese46]

No need EVER to apologize. I am not sure I have an ethernet card around here. If I go to the hp website, what am I exactly looking for?

[NeonFx]

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/s...n&dlc=en&cc=us

That is their support website. You are looking for "Drivers and Downloads" and you are wanting to download whatever they have listed as Networking drivers for your system. They also might have diagnostics download for your computer and that might also solve our problem as some of these come bundled with all the drivers your computer would need.

[maltese46]

I downloaded the same driver you advised earlier sp36439 with the same results. I then found another driver Lite something and that did not work. I found one sp33411 but I noticed that was for XP so I did not run it.
I went to HP's support and it said to uninstall and reinstall drivers. I notice that the Network Controller is still missing a driver, but I see no other options under networking to supply it. I also notice my Foxcont network adapter is missing which is probably why I can't connect to the network now. If I had disconnected and moved the computer to the other room, would it have the same problem trying to locate the right device driver?

[NeonFx]

Nice to know HP suggests we do the same thing we're trying to do.

No, it should not have trouble finding a connection if you plug it in with a cable. Doing that is pretty straightforward and windows uses generic drivers unless you specify you want it to use a different set of drivers.

Another thing you might think of trying is actually getting the real make and model of the wireless NIC. We can use that to then find a driver for it that'll work.

[maltese46]

What about the network card that Diagnostics says is misconfigured? In other words, when I try to download the new device driver for Foxconn adapter, will it connect to the Internet without a network card? And if foxconn is gone as an adapter, would it still find a driver for it? I just do not want to disconnect everything, shlep the monitor and processor down the hall if it still won't work. If you would respond to that, I would appreciate it. Meanwhile, I will try to find an ethernet cable.

[NeonFx]

I'm sorry, I must have misunderstood something.

I was working under the assumption that you have an ethernet port on your computer but that it is currently not in use (ie nothing plugged into it). This is very common seeing as nearly all motherboards come with one on them.

This adapter I assumed to be separate from the wireless adapter but now that you mention it that way I am guessing they are both on the same adapter? When you go into your control panel (click on classic view on the left) and open add and remove hardware can you "install" the devices? Just ask windows to find one automatically for it, and it might have a driver on the system already. If you can, try "I will tell windows what driver to install" and point it to the folder you unzipped earlier with the setup.exe in it, there should be drivers in that folder or in a folder within that folder. That is something we have not tried yet.

Also, when you opened the box (if you can) do you see a make and model sticker on the adapter? This might very well be the only way for us to find a driver for it.

And... you don't have to move everything, just the main box, and you can hook it up to a different monitor if you have one in the same room where the router is.

[NeonFx]

I see this thread is marked as Solved.

Did we finally solve the problem? What did it?

[maltese46]

Sorry. I emailed you. What I said was this: " I taught my students (or tried to teach my students) not to engage in hyperbole, unless they were an 8th century monk writing Beowulf. So if I underestimate, please understand it is an occupational hazard. That said, YOU ARE A GENIUS! Hooking it up to the ethernet with a cable I found did the trick. It automatically went online and found the device drivers it needed. In fact, I am emailing you from the previously broken computer!
Thank you so much. Tomorrow I am sending some ideas using a wiki to a teacher in northeastern Pa., and she and her class thanks you as well. And I did not have to disconnect too much. A few USB connections, printer, etc. Of course, the mess on my desk came tumbling down, but even that was a positive--I discovered papers I thought I had lost, business cards, poems from students, a chicken salad sandwich and the lost ark of the covenant. Thank you so much, not only for your expertise but your kindness and patience with me. Take care--is there anything I can send you? Ralph"

[NeonFx]

Ralph thank you so much for your kind words. It is because I hope to someday receive those kinds of thanks that I provide support on this website. You made me happy today, repaying the favor with that simple note.

Please come back whenever you have computer trouble. I would be more than glad to help you out again.