Help! Installed Win 7, lost sound & network

Not a CoH problem directly, but definitely preventing me from playing.

Last night I installed Window 7 on my gaming machine. I had been on XP, so it was a full "Custom" install. Everything seemed to go well, but now I can't access the internet and it's not recognizing my sound card. Argh!

I've been on the phone with Verizon Tech Support (my ISP) twice and Microsoft once about the internet problem, and at this point they're blaming each other.

My home FIOS network comes up as "Unidentified network" in the Network & Sharing Center, and if I use the Troubleshooter it gives me the message "Local Area Connection doesn't have valid IP connection". It sees my network card and reports that it's working properly, but there's no connection. The wireless computers in my house can connect with absolutely no problems.

I've tried a whole bunch of things, resetting the router, unplugging the cable (it's a wired connection) updating the network card driver, disabling TCP/IP 6, and several other suggestions I found in an internet search. If anyone has any ideas that might work I'd send you cookies, pie, whatever you want.

At this point I'm ready to go out and buy a Wireless card because then I'd have at least some internet access. I'd appreciate any suggestions for what type of wireless card to look for that would work with my motherboard. (CoH Helper posted below.)

My sound problem is that my computer has a Creative Labs X-Fi Xtreme Gamer sound card, but is convinced that it doesn't exist. I tried to enable the onboard sound in BIOS so I'd have *something*, but no luck so far. The next step is to crack open the case and make sure it's seated properly, not fried, etc.

Here's my CoH Helper info; no actual CoH info, of course, since I haven't been able to reinstall it without internet access.

---System information gathered by CoH Helper version 0.1.1.3---
DxDiag gathered at July 25, 2011 23:48 (-04:00)
Operating System: [color:yellow]Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit (6.1, Build 7600) (7600.win7_rtm.090713-1255)[/color]
System Manufacturer: mckinnonmicro
System Model: System Product Name
BIOS: Phoenix - AwardBIOS v6.00PG
Central Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM)2 CPU 6420 @ 2.13GHz (2 CPUs), ~2.1GHz
Memory: 4096MB
.Net Memory Report: 3336MB out of 4094MB available
Page File: 7328MB (858MB currently in use)
C Drive: (Maxtor 6 L250S0 SCSI Disk Device) 69354MB out of 238464MB (29%) free
D Drive: (TOSHIBA MK8034GSX SCSI Disk Device) 59251MB out of 69460MB (85%) free
F Drive: (HL-DT-ST DVD-ROM GDR8164B ATA Device) zero-size drive
E Drive: (SONY DVD RW AW-Q170A ATA Device) zero-size drive
Windows directory location: C:\Windows
DirectX: DirectX 11
DirectX Diag version: 6.01.7600.16385 (64-bit version)
Display Notes: No problems found.
Sound Notes: No problems found.
Input Notes: No problems found.
Monitor:
Monitor's Max Resolution: (blank)
Video Device Name: NVIDIA GeForce 9800 GT (Microsoft Corporation - WDDM v1.1)
Manufacturer / Chip: NVIDIA / GeForce 9800 GT
Video Memory: 2289 MB
Driver Version: [color:yellow]8.15.11.8593[/color]
Driver Date: [color:yellow]7/13/2009 9:41:53 PM[/color]
Driver Language: English
Sound Device Description: Digital Audio (S/PDIF) (High Definition Audio Device)
Driver File: HdAudio.sys
Driver Version: [color:yellow]6.01.7600.16385[/color]
Driver Date: [color:yellow]7/13/2009 8:07:00 PM[/color]

WMI Information
Motherboard Manufacturer: ASUSTeK Computer INC.
Motherboard Model: (empty)
Motherboard Product: P5NSLI
Motherboard Version: 1.XX
BIOS Manufacturer: Phoenix Technologies, LTD
BIOS Name: Phoenix - AwardBIOS v6.00PG
BIOS Version: Nvidia - 42302e31
BIOS Release: 20061124000000.000000+000

Hoo boy. Ok, so the network card is all ok in Windows but says the network is out of whack. I'll suggest first undoing whatever modifications you've made and reset things back to default.

A few things to try:
Reseat the cable on BOTH ends, not just the computer side.
If possible, plug the cable into a different port on your router.
Since you indicate you have other machines, try plugging one of them in directly with the cable and see what they say. Since they use wireless, be sure to turn it off so they have to use the wired link to connect.
Try a different network cable.
If possible, try replacing the network card.

For the sound card, making sure it's seated properly and all is a good idea. I'm gathering that it doesn't even show up as an 'unknown device' in the Device Manager?

Oh, and just to be sure you realize this, all drivers you use need to be 64-bit versions. You're on a 64-bit OS and your drivers need to match. I'm not sure it would even *let* you install 32-bit ones, but just in case, don't even try.

I had similar problems with the internet dropping or not coming up on Windows 7 (clean install) and a new modem.

I disabled the firewall in my modem, and have not had the problem since. It seems it didn't play nice with Windows Firewall. Try that.

How to access your modem: in your browser address bar, type 192.168.0.1

I don't remember the exact name of it, but have you tried the connection repair tool built into Win7? I lost my internet also (while trying to set up VPN) and, while flailing around trying to fix it, Windows asked if wanted it to repair the connection. I figured I had nothing to lose and said yes. Shockingly, it worked and I have not had any issues since.

Have you confirmed your DNS entries are correcty pointing to your ISPs DNS primary and secondary servers.
Also did your XP installation use a hosts file - that is located in a different location in just about every version of windows - wtg Microsoft!

Also can you confirm you have loaded the 64 bit drivers for your motherboard, soundcard and network card.

Sorry for slow reply, I haven't had as much time to work on this issue as I'd like.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Back_Blast Wait, you did a direct upgrade of XP to 7? I didn't think that was possible. Vista to 7 yes, but not XP. Or did you do a clean install, thus wiping the drive? Clean installs are pretty much always the best way to go even if they are more inconvenient. And by modifications I meant the settings changes and such you searched up. The 32 and 64 bit versions are 'equivalent' versions. There is no downgrade from 64 to 32. While you could install the 32 bit version, it would be a clean wipe-and-install replacement for the 64 bit version. Since you clearly have a 64 bit system, a 64 bit OS is generally best. You'll get the most out of your hardware and have better memory management meaning you get to use the full 4GB of memory you have installed. A 32 bit OS can only use ~3GB of the 4 you have. It's a technical limitation.

As Bill suggested, you can do a "Custom" install, which moves everything on the drive to a "Windows.old" folder. But it means you're starting with something close to a clean slate in terms of installed programs.

Quote:

Snagging one of your kids' laptops is possibly the best test on the list. If it fails, the problem is your network and Verizon is on the hook. If it works, your PC is to blame somehow.

Didn't have time to crack open box--it was Tanker Tuesday and I have my priorities!--but I did do this. Wired up my son's Win 7 laptop, and it worked immediately and flawlessly.

Quote:

If it's not there, then it's fried or not seated right or something like that. You could also try moving it to a different slot, if possible.

I'm planning to open it up tonight and take a look to see if the sound card is seated properly.

Quote:

If it installed without complaint then it's probably 64 bit but no harm in verifying. The driver date is the date of release from the maker, not when you installed it. So that driver was released last May.

I'm almost certain I got the 64 bit version, but I'll double-check.

Since it's driving me nuts not getting on this computer, I ordered a cheap wireless card from NewEgg so I'll (hopefully) have internet access while I search for a more permanent solution. The Microsoft tech I spoke to on Monday is going to call back tonight, so maybe he'll be able to help now that it's pretty certain not to be Verizon.

Thanks again!

Okay, you're going to have to help me with some this.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gaia Have you confirmed your DNS entries are correcty pointing to your ISPs DNS primary and secondary servers.

How would I confirm this? If they match the other computers in the house (all wireless) would that be sufficient? Where would I look for this information?

Quote:

Also did your XP installation use a hosts file - that is located in a different location in just about every version of windows - wtg Microsoft!

No clue.

Quote:

Also can you confirm you have loaded the 64 bit drivers for your motherboard, soundcard and network card.

Motherboard: drivers haven't been updated at all by me, had no idea it would be needed. That's something I can do when I get home.

Soundcard: I have the 64 bit driver, but the installation program says there is no supported device in the computer and won't install it.

Network card: I updated the drivers, I'm 95% certain they were the 64 bit version, but will double check when I get home.

Thanks for your help!

1)
Is your computer set to get an IP address automatically from the modem/router? I'm presuming here that the modem/router has DHCP activated (tends to make things simpler with home networks).

Control Panel > Network and Sharing Center > Change adapter settings (on the left panel) > Select your network card and right click, properties > Scroll to the bottom of the window and open Internet Protocol Version 4 (double click should do this fine) > Check that both choices are set to Automatic.

If they already are... double check if DHCP is turned on, on the router. DHCP is a service that generates IP Addresses for devices attached to the network. I belive it's possible to have it activated for wireless, but not wired.. on some routers.

2)
Another thing to try would be running a copy of Unknown Devices to check if anything needs a driver... I recommend the Beta copy at the top of this page.
http://www.halfdone.com/Development/UnknownDevices/

I know it hasn't been updated in forever, but I still use it for older hardware.

3)
Thirdly... run some anti-malware checks. Past studies (before windows 7) have shown that an unpatched Windows computer can be infected within 4 hours of being on the internet. Download stuff like Malwarebyte's Anti-Malware, Ad-Aware and Spybot Search & Destroy. Hit the computer with a heap of updated on-demand scanners just to be safe. Also, get a software firewall installed or activate the better-than-nothing windows one.

4)
Most motherboards automatically disable any onboard video when you install a card.. if you still want to try to get your onboard sound working, it wouldn't hurt to A) physically remove your sound card and B) ensure you installed your motherboard/system drivers (they often include onboard sound)

________

I admit, my experiences with Win7 have been all positive. I was running the beta on what was then, 6 year old hardware. P4, 2GB RAM, etc. They even released an update which fixed my microphone (speakers worked on the windows generic drivers)... heh Although I will admit that any heavy 3D gaming was kinda impossible due to me running (low power) DirectX 9 hardware in a DirectX 11 environment.

Quote:

Originally Posted by McNum Between the Loyalists and Resistance, I'd be tempted to support Praetorian Hamidon. One side uses mind police and will "disappear" you and the other uses poison gas and bombs on civilians. Hamidon? He'll just have a tree eat you. Much simpler. If we're all going to be oppressed and/or killed by someone, it might as well be the walking trees. At least they don't speak in annoying code or doublespeak. They just devour you.

Update! I think (hope) I have found the reason for both of my problems, and how to fix them.

First, the internet problem. Googling my onboard NIC (a Marvell Yukon 88E8001) I found this:

http://www.sevenforums.com/network-s...n-88e8001.html

Evidently, the combination of that particular network card, an ASUS mobo similar to mine (the one mentioned is a P8N SLI, mine is a P5N SLI) 64 bit Windows 7 and more than 3 GBs of RAM will cause this problem. Change any one of those things and it works fine. Since I don't want to downgrade to 32 bit Win 7 or reduce the amount of RAM, changing NIC cards is obviously the best solution.

Unfortunately, before I figured this out I ordered a cheap wireless card form Newegg; I should have gotten a new network card! Ah well. I'll use the wireless card for now and see how it works--if the performance isn't what I want it to be I'll buy a new network card. Or maybe Marvell will release a driver that fixes the problem; I read that the most recent driver update fixed the problem for 64 bit Vista but not Win 7.

Sound problem:

I did get the onboard sound to work, it was just a matter of the speakers plugged into the wrong port. (D'oh!)

Regarding my Creative sound card, I noticed there was a disabled, unknown audio device listed in the device manager. When I checked the properties, it said it was disabled because there was no driver for it.

As I mentioned earlier, I downloaded the 64 bit driver for the card, but it won't install because it can't find a supported device. That's right folks, evidently it's unidentified because it doesn't have a driver and I can't install the driver because it's unidentified.

At this point my plan is to try and find a generic 64 bit sound driver so I can at least enable the card. After that, hopefully once it's enabled the Creative driver will install and I'll be a happy camper again.

Thanks so much to everyone for their suggestions and support!

Update: Installed the wireless card from Newegg, and it works great! The reception is terrific, not surprising given that my computer is about 5 feet from the router.

Sound: No joy there. The Creative installer doesn't show me where it's putting the files, (and won't let me decide, *very* annoying) I can't see what format they're in, and when I have Windows search for drivers, it doesn't find anything.

Next step is to contact Creative and see if I can get the drivers without installer, or if they have another suggestion.

Well on my machine it unpacked everything to C:\Windows\Temp\CRF000\. There's a folder under that called Drivers which has two subfolders called SBXF and XFHX. The drivers appear to be in subfolders named wdm under those two folders. Not certain which of the two sets though is for your card. So drilling down a bit further might get you somewhere.