Setting up Internet Connection (XP User), Need help!

So I just reinstalled Windows XP on my PC and it doesn't have an active internet connection. I can't figure out how to set it up. The router and modem are hooked up to the main computer in the office and this one is in my room. We use Comcast High Speed.


I really need some help here. If anyone can it would be a huge relief

Wireless?Did u try to add internet connection?

Nah its wired. I've tried all kinds of tutorials but can't find one to help.

Is the network card working properly?

EDIT: You may need to download the network card driver on the computer you have a connection on, and then put in on a thumbdrive, and install it on the comp you're having issues with. I'd bet money this is the ticket.

This may sound dumb but did u make sure the wire is plugged in properly?Make sure you have opened a second port on your router?

Yes the cord is plugged in. Haha.

How would I check to see which driver I need to download? What's the command prompt for diagnosis again? Dxdiag?

I don't know about all that command prompt stuff. I'm no genius, but I would just go to your device manager, look for the little yellow "caution" or whatever sign it is they use to indicate the device is not working properly. I haven't used XP in awhile, but after that, you should see what the device is, and just google it (+ driver download). There's likely to be more than 1 device indicating it's not working properly, just look for the network card though, and deal with the others after you get your connection working.

Also, you could look on the site of the comp manufacturer for the drivers, if you got the serial or product # you may be able to just put it in, and a list of drivers for that particular comp with come up. Unless of course, it's a custom-built comp.

...custom built. Thanks for the info though. I'm about to flip it back on and try to get it running. God I'm tired of using my Android as a computer

It's like the computer is less than factory settings. No desktop icons, hardly anything on the Start menu list. Idk if I reinstalled it correctly (90% sure) or what.

Any time I go through the "Create new connection" wizard for Dsl/ cable nothing.happens.

Did you try looking at the device manager?

If I remember correctly you just gotta go to Control Panel, open "systems" then I think there's a hardware tab, and on the bottom there should be "device manager".

I'll try to explain this so it makes sense. The reason why your computer isn't picking up the connection, is because the network card is not working without the driver installed. Therefore, your computer doesn't even realized there's a cord plugged into the network card. Get the network card working (by installing the driver) and bam, shit should work.

EDIT: there of course could be other reasons it's not working, but given everything you've said, I'd really lean towards this being the cause. Gotta start somewhere.

That's where its at! Thank you!

So my list of not available drivers is as follows:
Comprocessor
Ethernet Controller
pci device
SM Bus Controller
Video controller (vga compatible)

My guess is the Ethernet controller?

Yeah, that's it. Install the driver and you shouldn't even need to run the connection wizard, should just connect automatically if I'm not mistaken.

I'm not sure how you can find out the model it is though. Hopefully you already know, or it says in the description or properties, or whatever they call it.

So I got the Ethernet driver only to find out I need Framework installed. I get that and try to install, only to find out I need Windows Installer 3.0 installed. I had to of messed something up or is all of this common for a restore of Windows?

It's common, no worries. If you use an older install disk (which, being that it's 2012, that goes without saying) it won't have all the up-to-date software on it.

Once you get an internet connection, you're gonna have TONS of updates to download/install (it'll do it automatically, like their regular weekly updates, just all at once, to get it up to date (11 years worth of updates)).

But yeah, it's all normal, and it sounds like you've got things taken care of now.

Now its saying the Windows installer isn't valid... Even though I just installed it and it ran two other installs.

+rep for helping me btw.

http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?amp;displaylang=en&id=25

EDIT: That should be what it's asking for you (click the 3rd one, 2.5 mb).

I have the right Ethernet driver but something won't allow it to install. It will start then I get an error saying its not the right one or there isn't the right information for Windows Installer to read.