Laptop problem

[draycotebob]

My problem is that up to changing my harddrive I have been able to get on line via my netgear router, but now on this new drive I'm not able to.

I know the router is fine because when I replace the original hard drive it connects to the net.

I have no idea why this has happend to the new drive, so if you can help I will be greatful.

Checking the device manager the network adaptor Atheros 5007eg is missing, I have tried to download this from Fujitsu support site and downloaded it to a disc but when I try to install it on the new hard drive I'm asked to go on line to be able to do it.

Now if I could get on line I would not need to install the adaptor, ??????

Please if can offer any assistance

Thank you
Bob

 

[Lorien]

Hi Bob,

Perhaps the drivers they use require online access to verify they are appropriate - which I guess doesn't work so well in this case being the network adapter. Since it doesn't make sense, we must be missing something - but I have no idea what. My first suggestion would be to contact Fujitsu Technical Support and see if they can help you with this paradox. Support & Downloads : Fujitsu United States.

If that doesn't work (even though it should), maybe a different set of drivers will do the trick. I suggest you go to: http://www.ateros.cz/atheros-wireless-download.php?chipset=22&system=3 and get the drivers for Atheros 5007eg (the download will contain both 32-bit and 64-bit versions so be sure you use the right one). It will come as a zipped folder. Save the folder where you can find it (despite my efforts to save it elsewhere, it saved in the root of my userprofile - so if you can't find it later, look there). Extract the files. Transfer them to the PC with the new drive and try to intall them using Device Manager (there's an .INF file so that should work - and make sure you use the right bit size). If it won't work from the disk (still wants online access or some other problem), copy the directory to your desktop and attempt the update from there instead. Possibly these drivers will not require you to go online in order to install them.

That's all I can think of at the moment - I can understand why some drivers might want online access, but it obviously makes no sense for drivers for devices that are required for online access. I hope Fujitsu can explain it and provide a method to install the drivers that bypasses the need for online access.

I hope this helps.

Good luck!

 

[draycotebob]

Thank you Lorien,

I have written to the support site you kindly sent but unfortunately they just sent a stock answer refering to their driver download page which I have visited many times with the results I posted for the forum to read.
Many thanks for your reply
Bob

 

[Lorien]

Hi Bob,

Somehow, that doesn't surprise me - it's common with big companies like that. Did you try the second option? How did that work out? I was able to download and extract the files. I also scanned them with three different products to be sure they weren't infected and they all came up clear. I obviously can't actually install them because I don't have the device (and it would hose my current connectiion) - but I've gone as far as possible short of actually trying it.

Another possibility that occurred to me is that maybe during the driver installation process, it actually goes far enough to allow you to connect (maybe not with explorer, but maybe through network connections if they've been properly configured) so it actually can connect online (but you didn't try because you assumed it wouldn't work until the driver installation was complete). This is obviously just a wild guess, but it is a possibility that shouldn't take long to confirm and since I'm running a bit low on ideas, it may be worth a shot.

You say the old drive still works when inserted. How did you install the OS on the new drive? Home Premium doesn't have an image backup feature. Is it the same operating system (and same bit-size) or did you buy a new one (and if so, what OS is installed on the new drive - name and version)? Do you have a genuine Windows full Installation Disk or what did you use to do the installation? I'm trying to figure out why the system didn't detect the adapter and install the drivers automatically if everything is compatible.

Here's another idea. Go to Start / Control Panel / Add Hardware and try the recommended option to search for new hardware and see if that leads you anywhere and, if it gets to a point where it wants drivers, maybe this process won't require the online access. Reboot and see if it worked. If that doesn't work (or it doesn't detect the adapter - which would concern me in terms of a possible hardware problem with the adapter {depending on how it is setup, see if you can verify it is properly connected - if a laptop, don't take it apart just to check this)), then use the second option to manually choose the hardware to add and run through that procedure (it pretty much guides you) to see if you have any better luck there. Reboot and see if it worked.

I hope this helps.

Good luck!

 

[Lorien]

Hi Bob,

I edited and added a lot to my prior reply (and edits don't generate e-mail alerts) - so please take a look as I've included several more options to try.

Good luck!