Windows 7 Reinstalling Hardware - How…?

Question

I wanted to install a new driver for my Wireless Network Card but Windows 7 reported the driver was up to date. So I decided to uninstall the driver. That seemed to do more than I expected...

My WiFi card no longer shows up on the computer. Nothing in Device Manager. I have no idea how to get it back.

How can I get Windows to find the device? :/

Answer 1

Try;

• Control Panel
• Hardware and Sound
• Add a device

This should start a search for devices not yet installed.

Answer 2

Normally you should see the device in the Device Manager.

If you don't see it try:

1. open deive manager
2. Click at View in the Menu Bar
3. Click at show hidden devices

Then you also see desiabled/ignored devices or not plugged in devices.

If you still can't see the deice, check in the BIOS if the device is deactivated.

If you now find the device, open its Properties-Window and check what Windows reports as Device Status.

Answer 3

In the unlikely event that this guy is still waiting or in case anyone else wants to know how to add a missing device

Open Computer Manager, Click on Device Manager, in the centre pane right click on your computer name, select "Add Legacy Hardware", click next, select install hardware manually from a list, select wireless devices, next, select have disk, browse for driver.

Answer 4

Or Device Manager ->Click on computer name-> Click 'Scan for Hardware Changes' in toolbar