Quick overview:
During the installation of Windows XP Service Pack 1, you will receive a scary message: The driver file for your network card is being searched for, but it no longer exists. This only occurs with OEM and dealer versions, where the manufacturer has set everything up for you and did not include the original drivers. If you now install SP1, this driver will be attempted to be reintegrated into the system, which will fail if the original file is missing. We will tell you here how to get your network card to work anyway:
Installing the network card under Windows XP SP1
1. Click with the right mouse button on Workplace and select Properties.
2. In the following window, switch to the Hardware and look for the Device Manager out. Now click on the plus in front of Network adapter and double-click on the entry for your network card, e.g. Realtek RTL8139 family PCI Fast Ethernet NIC.
3. A window appears in which you can click on Drivers click and then Refresh choose. A wizard welcomes you with two options, from which you can choose "Installing software from a list or source decide and "Next click. Leave out the following options completely and select the path via "Do not search, but select the driver to be installed yourself. A list will then appear in which you can select your network card and click "Next install the new drivers. A restart is all it takes for your network card to work properly again.
NOTE FOR NEW PUBLICATION: This article was produced by Sandro Villinger and comes from the Windows Tweaks archive, which has been built up since the late 1990s.
On Windows Tweaks you will find time-saving tech guides for PC, software & Microsoft. For a stress-free digital everyday life. Already we have been "tweaking" Windows since 1998 and just won't stop!
