Restored Computer, Missing Drivers, Cannot Connect to Internet

Ok will do.  I am very inclined to just purchase a new copy of windows 7 or 8 though, as I do not prefer windows XP.  Also he is actually away at college so not a great chance of me getting the CD.  In any case though I really appreciate all the help you have given me.

Even if you do that Sam, you'll still have to download all the drivers from the EVGA site. Win 7 or 8 won't fix that problem unfortunately.

Also, do you intend to buy an OEM copy of Win 7 or 8 or a retail version? The latter is twice the price of the OEM version, but you have to privilige of being able to transfer it to a new PC at a later date.

An OEM version is a one off. If the PC fails in a couple of years time, you cannot use the license on another machine.

Personally, in your position with your lack of technical knowledge (no offence intended), I would either save up and buy a new PC which will have Windows 8 installed, or try and get this one to work with Win XP.

EDIT: You could consider buying a Netbook. It's a small machine, but it'll likely have Win 8 on it and the cost will probably equal that of a copy of Win 7 or 8. You can connect your monitor to a Netbook so that you can work and play with a larger screen too.

Here's some netbook reviews: http://www.pcmag.com/reviews/netbooks

You might want to download the Windows 7/8 hardware compatibility checker to see if your motherboard has enough oomph to run Windows 7/8 since your motherboard manual says:

Operating Systems:

Supports Windows XP 32bit/64bit and Windows Vista 32bit/64bit

It might work though, but then you are going to have to also see if they have Windows 7/8 drivers for your motherboard...  they might not.

Lack of proper drivers sometimes happens when people get new store bought systems with 7/8 and don't like it and then install XP on it only to find out later that Dell or IBM or whoever doesn't make XP drivers for their motherboard (and they are not going to create any either).

In Device Manager on your afflicted network device, right click, Properties, Details tab and look for a string of characters to select, copy and paste back here.

It may look something like this example:

PCI*VEN_10DE*&DEV_03EF&SUBSYS_73091462&REV_A2\3&267A616A&0&38

If you can get a VENdor and DEVice number, you can look up that hardware manufacturer on:

http://www.pcidatabase.com/

Then when you know who makes the chip, go to their WWW site and get the driver.

Ok will do.  I am very inclined to just purchase a new copy of windows 7 or 8 though, as I do not prefer windows XP.  Also he is actually away at college so not a great chance of me getting the CD.  In any case though I really appreciate all the help you have given me.

So none of that did anything.  I did as you instructed and nothing changed after it re-installed it.  I tried specifying a path and it couldn't  find the drivers I downloaded before.

I hope you didn't pay too much for this machine.

Is the guy you bought it from a good friend? Since he built the PC, he should know how to fix it and it might be worth your while getting in touch with him.

In any event, if I give a machine to somebody, I make sure it's in working order first. This PC that you have clearly doesn't fit that criteria.

Did your friend give you the Windows installation CD? If he did, you could run a repair installation which won't delete any files you've created yourself.

If he didn't give it to you, I'd be inclined to ask him for it if I was you.

So none of that did anything.  I did as you instructed and nothing changed after it re-installed it.  I tried specifying a path and it couldn't  find the drivers I downloaded before.