Disappearing modem/network driver

[StarStrider]

Hey guys,

I woke up my Gateway FX6840-15e desktop running Win7 this morning to discover that it could no longer connect to the internet. I already troubleshooted my internet service (through ATT) and that does not appear to be the issue, as my laptop can connect to the internet through both wireless and wired home connections (even from the same box & cable).

I ran Win7's network troubleshooter and it comes up saying that Windows "did not detect a properly installed network adapter. If you have a network adapter, you will need to re-install the driver."

So, I'm assuming I need to download my computer's modem driver to re-install?

I just went to Gateway's support page for my model (again, FX series, model 6840) and downloaded both LAN drivers, the modem driver, and the wireless driver on this laptop (running Natty). But I was going to wait to install them (for one, I'm not sure how to do so--can they be installed like any other program, or do I need to install them through "special" means?) until I heard back from here.

Also, why would the drivers just seemingly disappear over night? Like most people, I have a browser open all the time, so obviously the computer has been connected the internet previously/constantly.

Let me know if you need more info or anything!

[Firefox]

Hello and

Just to answer your question, if you have downloaded the driver for your network cards, all you have to do is install them just like you do any other program. You can install it right over the old driver.

If this does not work, it could be an infection that disabled or removed some needed files. After you install the drivers and if it does not work, let us know and we can point you in the right direction. There are currently infections out there that end up breaking the network connections.

[StarStrider]

Thanks Firefox,

I installed the drivers I'd downloaded...I'm not completely sure that any of them were for the network adapter, which is what Window's diagnostics nudged at. I tried Gateway's Realtek LAN driver and Liteon's Modem driver under my desktop's model support information.

In repairing the driver installation for the Realtek LAN, the installer came up with an error: "The Realtek Network Controller was not found. If deep sleep mode is enabled Please Plug the Cable."

It doesn't appear that anything made a difference, even after restart; the network adapter is still evidently MIA.

I did install and run HJT, so I have a log I can c/p here or elsewhere.

[Firefox]

I think the best course of action to take at this time is to first make sure there are no infections on that computer.

Hello and welcome to Malwarebytes

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