Do I need a wifi adapter to connect to a wifi extender with an ethernet cable?

[anythingitdoesntmatter]

I built myself a nice computer & neglected to buy a wifi adapter, as I wanted to connect to ethernet only later to find out I did not have an ethernet port in my room. Until I could get one installed, I went to the store to buy a temporary USB wifi adapter, figuring I could also use this for future use. Instead, I was recommended a wifi extender. It was only slightly more money and seemed to go much faster, and I always had the option to return it.
I have it plugged in and set up now- I am able to connect to it just fine with wireless devices such as this laptop or any mobile devices. I was told I could plug in an ethernet port to something without wifi and it would work just fine as long as it was connected to the router properly.
I have the ethernet cable plugged from the extender to the desktop (without a network adapter) and it does not seem to work. I have no option to connect to it, and troubleshooting only tells me I do not have a properly plugged in network adapter.
TL;DR am I unable to use the wifi extender as, essentially, a router? Should I go return in it favour of a USB wifi adapter/go ahead and install ethernet?
Edit: My MOBO has a built in gigabit ethernet card/port, for clarification, seeing as I can plug it in and all. I have never had this computer connected to the internet yet but I really need to, especially since I do online school and I've been stuck using my younger brothers not-too-great laptop.

 

[mcnumpty23]

the wifi extender has an ethernet port?

if so go to device manager--network adaptors--select your ethernet adaptor--in power management section untick turn off this device to save power

restart pc see if it works

 

[anythingitdoesntmatter]

the wifi extender has an ethernet port?

if so go to device manager--network adaptors--select your ethernet adaptor--in power management section untick turn off this device to save power

restart pc see if it works

I'm rather confused as to what that would do- regardless, the computer I'm trying to connect doesn't even seem to have an option for network adaptors in device manager. (I don't have any wifi adaptors in, my ethernet adaptor is in my MOBO but doesn't seem to show up. I'm unable to install drivers for it for some reason.) The laptop I'm using now is able to connect to wifi just fine and does have the option for this but I that wouldn't do anything, seeing as I'm not trying to connect this oen.
I'm wondering if it has to do with my ethernet adaptor driver? I can't do anything about it because I can't find them online... because, well, I can't get online. I don't have windows activated which is why I'm needing to do this so badly as well.

 

[mcnumpty23]

windows by default ticks the turn off this device to save power option--this can cause the ethernet port not to work

but it sounds like there isnt a driver installed--you need to find the ethernet driver on a different pc/laptop put it on a flash drive etc and install it

 

[anythingitdoesntmatter]

windows by default ticks the turn off this device to save power option--this can cause the ethernet port not to work

but it sounds like there isnt a driver installed--you need to find the ethernet driver on a different pc/laptop put it on a flash drive etc and install it

I'm installing my MOBO's drivers now- I've been waiting to activate windows before doing that, but I was also waiting until I got internet to do that. I finally just cracked and did it over the phone. Hopefully this will solve it, if not, I'll post again.

 

[mcnumpty23]

first thing i always check before building is do i have the required drivers for the internet

all others can be found as long as it will go on the net

 

[anythingitdoesntmatter]

WOW i feel like a total doof. It was the drivers, upon installing them everything was fine. Thanks for your time anyway!