Question USB Wi-Fi Adapter not connecting to PC at all

[IgnorantSwine335]

I recently got a new (old) computer. I did a fresh install of Windows 7 64bit and SP1. Tried to use a Realtek USB WLAN adapter, but the computer just doesn't read it. The small power LED on it never lights either. The adapter was just working fine on a WinXP computer.

Before, all it was saying was something like, "Device had trouble installing" when I plugged it in, and in Device Manager was only recognized in the USB (not even under Network adapters) section as "Unknown Device" with a yellow exclamation.
I installed the drivers off the cd that came with it, but it doesn't work. I tried uninstalling and reinstalling multiple times, and downloading the drivers for it on the website and installing those.

Then I tried to uninstall all the USB root drivers and whatever from the pc and restart so they could be reinstalled. But now, whenever I plug in the WLAN adapter, the computer doesn't even recognize it as a device. Nothing comes up, it's not in Device Manager anymore either. No sound indication that's anything's been connected when I plug it in.

 

[kanewolf]

I recently got a new (old) computer. I did a fresh install of Windows 7 64bit and SP1. Tried to use a Realtek USB WLAN adapter, but the computer just doesn't read it. The small power LED on it never lights either. The adapter was just working fine on a WinXP computer.

Before, all it was saying was something like, "Device had trouble installing" when I plugged it in, and in Device Manager was only recognized in the USB (not even under Network adapters) section as "Unknown Device" with a yellow exclamation.
I installed the drivers off the cd that came with it, but it doesn't work. I tried uninstalling and reinstalling multiple times, and downloading the drivers for it on the website and installing those.

Then I tried to uninstall all the USB root drivers and whatever from the pc and restart so they could be reinstalled. But now, whenever I plug in the WLAN adapter, the computer doesn't even recognize it as a device. Nothing comes up, it's not in Device Manager anymore either. No sound indication that's anything's been connected when I plug it in.

Did you install the motherboard drivers when you did your new Windows 7 install? Are there any exclamation points or unknown devices in the device manager?

 

[IgnorantSwine335]

Did you install the motherboard drivers when you did your new Windows 7 install? Are there any exclamation points or unknown devices in the device manager?

What do you mean by "motherboard drivers"? ?

There was an Unknown Device with an exclamation point but not anymore, after I reinstalled all the USB drivers.

 

[kanewolf]

What do you mean by "motherboard drivers"? ?

There was an Unknown Device with an exclamation point but not anymore, after I reinstalled all the USB drivers.

"Motherboard drivers" -- The device drivers provided by the motherboard manufacturer. Usually downloaded from the motherboard support web page. Could include, but not limited to, chipset, USB, storage, audio, etc.

 

[IgnorantSwine335]

"Motherboard drivers" -- The device drivers provided by the motherboard manufacturer. Usually downloaded from the motherboard support web page. Could include, but not limited to, chipset, USB, storage, audio, etc.

No I didn't do anything like that. I just used the installation disk and the SP1 install, that's it. The USB wifi adapter would be the only way I can connect to the internet on that pc. Also the pc originally had Windows 7 installed on it too if that's any help.

 

[kanewolf]

No I didn't do anything like that. I just used the installation disk and the SP1 install, that's it. The USB wifi adapter would be the only way I can connect to the internet on that pc. Also the pc originally had Windows 7 installed on it too if that's any help.

There is a good chance this is your problem. You need to get the motherboard specific drivers for your motherboard.
To clean up everything, you might have to reinstall windows again.

 

[IgnorantSwine335]

There is a good chance this is your problem. You need to get the motherboard specific drivers for your motherboard.
To clean up everything, you might have to reinstall windows again.

My motherboard is a Benicia. The drivers aren't on either of the manufacturer's websites anymore, but I found them elsewhere (I didn't know exactly what I was looking for so I may not have gotten the right ones or all of them).
I reinstalled Windows 7 then the motherboard drivers, but the wifi adapter still isn't detected.