Vista - Vista won't identify my 'properly working' Wireless adapter

I just put together a new rig. This is my only snag in setting it up. I went for vista 64 so I could utilize my 4x2gb (8) RAM. After installing Vista Home 64-bit, the device manager indicated that it could not detect my RTL8168(C)P/8111(C)P (realtek) integrated wireless adapter on my GA-EP45-UD3P mobo (gigabyte). After reinstalling the drivers from the disc, still no go.

I then fetched the vista 64-bit drivers for the wireless adapter off of the gigabyte website using another comp. After installing those, the device manager indicated that the device is working properly. However, when I try to add a wireless connection, vista notifies me that there is no wireless hardware to be found.

The device manager is either lying to me, or Vista's lying to me. Has anyone had a similar problem or any suggestions?
Thank you ahead of time.

Hello Ste13phen, and welcome to the vista forums

first thing I would check is that the device is enabled in the BIOS. a simple thing but I've missed things like this in the past

It is enabled in the BIOS -- I wish that was the issue, but thanks for the thought and the polite welcome.