I can not load my network drivers

I can't load load my network drivers for the life of me!!! I've tried everything except a reformat!

Here's the problem. It all started out with Zone Alarm. I tried upgrading it without doing a clean install (big freaking mistake). It took my networking controllers with it that time and my Internet wouldn't work, so I did a system restore point back to the point where my network drivers were working fine and it worked. BUT HERE IS WHERE IT ALL WENT WRONG! I wanted to upgrade my OS and install windows service pack 1 for Vista on it, so I uninstalled Zone Alarm because it wasn't working properly and then I was going to install Zone Alarm again after I installed service pack 1. WELL THAT JUST MESSED EVERYTHING UP! When I uninstalled Zone Alarm it took my network drivers with it and when I tried to install service pack1 it erased all my system restore points. I GOT SCREWED! Not only would service pack 1 not install because of the problem, I couldn't get back my network drivers because I had no good restore points.

I've tried everything from downloading the drivers from and different computer and transferring them onto my computer to doing a full upgrade reinstall!!! I've been working on this for days.

The easy answer to this solution is a full reformat. -But listen folks... I have so many programs and so much data on my pc that I don't want to reformat my drive. I plan on getting a back-up hard drive and load windows onto that, but I just want to see if any of you geniuses out there have the solution.

-Greatly would appreciate your advice.

I had a problem with a kaput system, got a "caddy" took out my harddrive and loaded it into caddy, put new clean harddrive in PC loaded Windows back in, then switch on caddy and start transferring files to main drive.

Seemed the easiest way.

Thanks, I'm considering just getting another back up drive. (money). Who has the money for this stuff?

-Miss TahitianFlower

TahitianFlower unless your using dialup or cable internet a software firewall on your machine is completely useless...

Can you provide more information about your system so we can help you?

Download this tool |MG| AIDA32 - Personal System Information 3.93 and run aida32.exe

-Motherboard/Motherboard and give us the full ID
-Devices/Windows Devices/Network Adapters and give us each Adapter name

If the two adapters you mentioned are not listed what device name or site are you using to download the drivers from?

Thanks
dmex

My motherboard is manufactured by ASUSTek Inc. Model NARRA with a NVIDIA chipset MCP61. All network adapters listed are as follows:
NETGEAR WG111 802.00g Wireless USB2.0 Adapter - PCTools Driver
NVIDIA nForce Networking Controller - PCTools Driver
NVIDIA nForce Networkin Controller #12
Teredo Tunneling Pseudo-Interface
WAN Miniport (IP)
WAN Miniport (IP) - PCTools Driver
WAN Miniport (IPv6) - PCTools Driver
WAN Miniport (L2TP)
WAN Miniport (PPPOE)
WAN Miniport (PPTP)

I use to not have all of these drivers and be able to uninstall them but now I can't even uninstall them When I was able to uninstall them then install the drivers from NVIDIA for my correct motherboard and chipset, it installed fine, - until I restarted my computer and Vista took over saying that it needed to install the drivers for my network card and crash on me saying that it was unable to load the drivers. If you can figure this out, you'll be my god for a week!

A similar problem with different hardware is fixed in the registry by deleting the upper and lower filters entries and letting vista rebuild them at reboot.

It's when a CD/DVD (Optical drive) is disabled or inoperable. It shows up in device manager with a splat but will not update the driver (says the driver is up to date) or uninstall it.

Below is a copy and paste of an article on fixing the optical driver/device problem that has worked for me on an XP and a Vista machine.
Read it and search if the same thing can be done for your network device drivers.
The difference may just be in a different location like drive's {4D36E965-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318} line.
On the XP machine I had to reinstall EZ CD Creator. On Vista I had to reinstall Nero. But they came home!
Also not noted below, some machines and OS's will only have an upper, or lower, or both filters. Just delete what you have. ALWAYS EXPORT A COPY OF THE FULL REGISTRY TO A SAFE LOCATION (folder and USB drive) before editing the registry.
====================================================


Warning Serious problems might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly by using Registry Editor or by using another method. These problems might require that you reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that these problems can be solved. Modify the registry at your own risk.
To resolve this behavior, follow these steps: 1. Start Registry Editor (Regedt32.exe).
2. Locate the UpperFilters value under the following key in the registry:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Class\{4D36E965-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318}
3. On the Edit menu, click Delete, and then click OK.
4. Locate the LowerFilters value under the same key in the registry:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Class\{4D36E965-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318}
5. On the Edit menu, click Delete, and then click OK.
6. Quit Registry Editor.NOTE: After you remove the Upperfilters value and the Lowerfilters value, if you notice lost functionality in a particular program, such as CD recording software, you may need to reinstall that software. If the problem recurs, consult with the software vendor for assistance.

Also, perhaps booting to the Vista CD and choosing "r" to do a repair?

Let us know if you fix it without a format.