Restored Computer, Missing Drivers, Cannot Connect to Internet

    So I bought a desktop computer running Windows XP from a friend of mine.  He wiped it clean before giving it to me and upon logging in I found that I could not connect to the internet.  I'm pretty sure the reasoning for this is that some of the drivers were lost after resetting.  I have tried different programs and methods in order to restore them but nothing has worked.  I would really appreciate some help, thanks a ton.

Hi Sam,

Go to Start, Run, then copy/paste the following and click OK: **devmgmt.msc(if you don't have the Run command on the Start menu, hit Windows key + R instead)**This will take you to Device Manager.

If the PC is configured properly, every device will be prefixed with a plus sign.

If a device is present on the system, but no drivers have been installed for it, it will be prefixed with a black exclamation mark inside a yellow circle.

If a device is present, but has been disabled, it will be prefixed with a red X.

Do you see either of those anywhere?

So everything looks fine except for the category thing called other devices, in which all of items are marked with an exclamation mark.  Among them is the Network Controller which I'm pretty sure is what's causing me issue.  Although when I tried to update it, I had no luck.

So everything looks fine except for the category thing called other devices, in which all of items are marked with an exclamation mark.  Among them is the Network Controller which I'm pretty sure is what's causing me issue.  Although when I tried to update it, I had no luck.

Hi Sam,

"Other Devices" means that Windows recognizes that a device is present, but cannot find a driver for it.

You can identify which device that is by doing the following:

Click Start, Run (hit Windows key + R if you don't have the Run command on the Start menu) and then copy/paste the command in bold type and click OK: msinfo32

Expand the "Components" tree and then click "Problem Devices". It should tell you in there what it is.

Is the network port integrated on the motherboard, or is there a network card installed in the machine?

If it's on the motherboard, all you need to do is to insert the driver CD which came with the machine, reboot and Windows will detect the correct driver and install it for you.

If your friend didn't give you the drivers disc, you might be able to find the drivers by going to the motherboard manufacturer's site, or if it's an off-the-shelf PC like an HP PC, by going to their site and looking for the drivers there.

If it's a network card in a PCI slot, then you need to identify which one it is and then download the drivers from the manufacturer's site.

Your friend might be able to help you if you can't track down the relevant info.

EDIT: I forgot to mention that the drivers you need to install are called "Chipset Drivers".

Ok well I do not have any sort of disks, nor do I have a network card installed.  When I tried to install the chipset drivers, from Intel's website, I am told that my computer does not meet the minimum requirements for installing the software.  Just to be clear, I have no idea what I am doing so sorry if this is tedious.

EDIT: I should also note that when I was looking for a solution, I found a guide to follow when you are missing buttons under the Network Connections menu. One of the things was to go to Add or Remove Windows Components and check to make sure that Some things were checked under Networking Services there.  When I tried to check Simple TCP/IP Services, which seemed to be another issue, it tells me additional files from Windows XP Professional CD-ROM are needed.

Ok well I do not have any sort of disks, nor do I have a network card installed.  When I tried to install the chipset drivers, from Intel's website, I am told that my computer does not meet the minimum requirements for installing the software.  Just to be clear, I have no idea what I am doing so sorry if this is tedious.

EDIT: I should also note that when I was looking for a solution, I found a guide to follow when you are missing buttons under the Network Connections menu. One of the things was to go to Add or Remove Windows Components and check to make sure that Some things were checked under Networking Services there.  When I tried to check Simple TCP/IP Services, which seemed to be another issue, it tells me additional files from Windows XP Professional CD-ROM are needed.

Don't go to the Intel site to download chipset drivers. You need to go to the motherboard manufacturer's site for those, or if it's an off-the-shelf machine, go to site which matches the PC name.

You might be able to identify the motherboard by going to Start, Run then copy/paste this command and click OK: msinfo32

Click the link in the left hand pane to "System Summary". In the right hand pane, the name of the motherboard should be designated to the right of "BIOS" although that may not be the case if it's a generic  type.

What's the make and model of the PC?