LAN and WLAN not working after latest Windows Update

Hi everyone, I'm new here and was wondering if I could get some help with the most frustrating problem I've come across since I got this computer.

About a week ago, I was using my computer and although I had downloaded the next to latest Windows Update I had not restarted my computer for the changes to come into effect. I normally leave it running, so this was the first time in a couple of days that my machine was off, for any reason. After it booted back up, however, it could not connect to the internet either by LAN or WLAN even though it says it is connected and I can browse the other computers/devices on my network.

I disabled my wireless card in case of conflict and tried to connect solely by ethernet cord to my wireless router, but it did not work. I then tried giving it a direct connection to the modem, but still no dice. The router is definitely not the problem because the other wired and wireless devices around my house connect perfectly to the internet. I know the ethernet cord isn't a problem also as I've tried connecting my PS3 to the router with it and it worked fine.

Since I know the LAN hardware is there, I tried to reinstall the drivers from Dell's website (an Intel LAN driver and a Realtek one) but was told by the Realtek driver installer that there was no hardware detected which only served to confuse me further.

I only want to reinstall Vista if I really, really have to...but if it has to be done, it has to be done. Thanks in advance for any help you guys can provide. I'm at my wit's end with this problem.

Go back a week before you installed the updates with System Restore. Either way post the results for further help.
http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/76905-system-restore-how.html

Thank you for replying! I forgot to mention that I had already ran System Restore, but unfortunately it didn't fix the problem.

Since you associate the updates with the problem, lets uninstall them
http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/92402-windows-update-uninstall.html

I uninstalled the Windows Updates that went into effect around the time that the problem occurred and restarted to the computer, but it didn't work.

Troubleshoot the connection
Troubleshoot Internet connection problems
Make sure that when you go to device manager there are no yellow markers by the driver and make sure that the driver tree is not open anywhere.

richc46, I tried the steps in the link you posted, but still couldn't get anything to work. When I did open Device Manager the tree was open at the Network option, however. I tried closing it and the scanning for changes but it opened up again when I closed the window and returned to Device Manager. Think that means anything? I included a screenshot of the network tab.

Yes it means something. That why I told you to look for it. Update that driver.

Apparently, they're all up to date. The "Update Drivers" option was able to connect to the internet and look for them but didn't return any updates. I also noticed that Windows Update was also able to connect to the internet and download but, in general, nothing else is able to. Thanks for all the help, so far!

The driver with the open tree, does it say working properly?

I checked all three and the Intel device said that it was disabled. After enabling it, the properties tab said it was working properly. I checked my internet connection, but no dice.

Did you boot the computer after the changes?

Just rebooted, but the internet connection still hasn't come back. The network option under device manager is closed, however.

richc46 said:

Troubleshoot the connection
Troubleshoot Internet connection problems
Make sure that when you go to device manager there are no yellow markers by the driver and make sure that the driver tree is not open anywhere.

Click to expand...

You read and followed the troubleshooting article?

I read it in its entirety, but none of the suggestions there helped, unfortunately.

Right click on the interment monitor icon, by the clock and troubleshoot.

http://www.vistax64.com/network-sharing/284688-network-posting-tips.html

Diagnose & Repair, right? I had Windows troubleshoot it but it just told me that it didn't find anything wrong.

Thank you so much!

richc46 said:

Right click on the interment monitor icon, by the clock and troubleshoot.

http://www.vistax64.com/network-sharing/284688-network-posting-tips.html

Click to expand...

Post additional information

I just added it to my last post. Sorry about that.

I meant this
http://www.vistax64.com/network-sharing/284688-network-posting-tips.html