nanmahdi BloG: Network connection problems in Windows (part2)

Step 2

Use an automated troubleshooter

An automated troubleshooter is a tool that can find and automatically fix some problems with your computer. These troubleshooters aren't designed to fix every problem, but they're a useful tool to try because they can often save you time and effort.

Different versions of Windows use troubleshooters in different ways. Windows 7 uses troubleshooters from within the Windows 7 Action Center. Windows Vista and Windows XP use troubleshooters that can be downloaded from the Microsoft Download Center and then run on your computer. To use an automated troubleshooter, click the link for the troubleshooter for your version of Windows.

Windows 7

Run the Network troubleshooter first and then test your Internet connection.

To open the Network troubleshooter

Right-click the network icon or in the notification area of your taskbar, and then click Troubleshoot problems.

You can also run specific troubleshooters to focus on a particular network or connectivity problem. For example, if you are unable to connect to the Internet or access a particular website, there might be a problem with your Internet connection. Try using the Internet Connections troubleshooter to fix the problem. Follow the steps below.

If you can't connect to a computer on your home network, or on a corporate network, there might be a problem with your computer's network adapter. The network adapter might need to be reset, or the adapter driver might need to be updated. Try using the Network Adapter troubleshooter to fix the problem. Follow the steps below.

To open other troubleshooters

Click the Start button , type "troubleshooting" in the search box, and then click Troubleshooting.
Click Network and Internet, and then click the troubleshooter you want to run.

Windows Vista

When a network problem occurs in Windows Vista, Network Diagnostics helps to diagnose and repair the problem. For example, when you see some error messages such as “Page cannot be displayed” or “Server is not available,” you have the option to use Network Diagnostics to identify the problem. For other types of network problems, you can access Network Diagnostics by right-clicking the network icon

in the notification area of your taskbar, and then clicking Diagnose and repair.

Windows XP

Follow these steps to run the network troubleshooter in Windows XP:

Click Start, and then click Control Panel.
In the right pane, click Network and Internet Connections.
In the right pane, click Network Connections.
Right-click Local Area Connection, and then click Repair.

Step 3

Update drivers

Outdated, incompatible, or corrupted network adapter drivers can prevent network connections or cause intermittent disconnections.

If you recently upgraded from one version of Windows to another, it's possible that the current network adapter driver was designed for the previous version of Windows. If you've had recent power outages, viruses, or other computer problems, it's possible that the driver has become corrupted. Downloading and installing the latest network adapter driver can resolve these types of problems.

Here are three ways to find and install a driver:

Use Windows Update. You might need to set Windows Update to automatically download and install recommended updates. Installing any important, recommended, and optional updates can update system features and other software that might help to fix your network connection problems.
Install software from the device manufacturer. For example, if your computer or network adapter came with a disc, that disc might contain software that installs a driver for the network adapter.
Download and install the driver yourself. You can search for a driver on the manufacturer's website. Try this if Windows Update can't find a driver for your network adapter and the adapter didn't come with software that installs a driver.

For more information about updating your network adapter driver, follow the steps below that apply to the version of Windows you have on your computer. For information about network adapters that are compatible with Windows, go to the Windows Compatibility Center.

Windows 7

To update the driver using Windows Update

Click the Start button , type "Windows Update" in the search box, and then click Windows Update. If you're prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.
In the left pane, click Check for updates.
If there are any available updates, click the links to see more information about each update. Windows Update tells you if an update is important, recommended, or optional. Each type of update might include drivers.
On the Select the updates you want to install page, look for updates for your network adapter, select the check box for the driver that you want to install, and then click OK.
There might not be any available driver updates.
On the Windows Update page, click Install updates. If you're prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.
Windows Update will tell you if the updates were successfully installed.

Note

Restart your computer after installing hardware drivers.

To download and install a driver yourself

If Windows can't find a driver for your network adapter, and the adapter didn't come with driver software, you can look for a driver on the manufacturer's website. Driver updates are often available in the support section of such websites.

To locate the driver, find the manufacturer and model name or number of your network adapter, and then visit the Hardware and software vendor contact information website. Once you find your manufacturer, go to its website to locate and download the latest driver for your network adapter.

If you find an updated driver, follow the installation instructions on the website. Most drivers are self-installing—after you download them, you usually just double-click the file to begin the installation, and then the driver installs itself on your computer.

Some network adapters have drivers that you need to install yourself. If you download a driver that isn't self-installing, follow the steps below.

You must be logged on as an administrator to perform these steps.

Click the Start button , type "device manager" in the search box, and then click Device Manager. If you're prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.
In the list of hardware categories, find the device that you want to update, and then double-click the device name.
Click the Driver tab, click Update Driver, and then follow the instructions. If you're prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.

Windows Vista

To update the driver using Windows Update

Open Windows Update by clicking the Start button , clicking All Programs, and then clicking Windows Update.‌ If you're prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.
In the left pane, click Check for updates.
To see if updated drivers are available, click View available updates. Windows Update will list any updated drivers that are available for devices installed in your computer.
If updates are available, click the driver that you want to install, and then click Install. If you're prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.

Note

Restart your computer after installing hardware drivers.

To download and install a driver yourself

Some network adapters have drivers that you need to install yourself. If you download a driver that isn't self-installing, follow the steps below.

You must be logged on as an administrator to perform these steps.

Open Windows Update by clicking the Start button , clicking All Programs, and then clicking Windows Update.‌ If you're prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.
In Device Manager, locate the device you want to update, and then double-click the device name.
Click the Driver tab, and then click Update Driver and follow the instructions.

Windows XP

To update drivers using Windows Update

Go to the Windows Update website.
Click Custom, and then wait while Windows looks for the latest updates for your computer.
In the left pane, click Hardware, click Optional, and then select any hardware driver updates for your computer.
Click Review and install updates, and then click Install Updates.
You should also install any high priority updates.

Note

Restart your computer after installing hardware drivers.

To download and install a driver yourself

If you can't get the latest driver through Windows Update, find the manufacturer and model name or number of your network adapter, and then visit the Hardware and software vendor contact information website. Once you find the manufacturer, go to its website and locate and download the latest driver for your network adapter. To find the manufacturer of your network adapter, follow these steps:

Click Start, and then click Control Panel.
Click Network and Internet Connections, and then click Network Connections.
Right-click Local Area Connection, and then click Properties.
In the Connect Using section, find the manufacturer and model of your network adapter.
Visit the hardware manufacturer’s website and search for the latest driver. Driver updates are often available in the support section of such websites.
If you find an updated driver, follow the installation instructions on the website. Most drivers are self-installing—after you download them, you usually just double-click the file to begin the installation, and then the driver installs itself on your computer.
Note
- Restart your computer after installing hardware drivers.
- If you continue to have network connection problems, go to Microsoft Support online.