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Question

reverting from windows10 to windows7

Sep 15, 2015 7:02PM PDT

my friend, very computer illiterate, reverted her dell inspiron 545s 64 bit back to 7. every thing shows she has internet capabilities but the internet doesn't work on the PC. Her handheld devices do connect however. Can any one tell me what is wrong?

Discussion is locked

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Answer
(NT) Probably a missing network/WiFi driver - check Device Mgr.
Sep 15, 2015 7:16PM PDT
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reverting from windows10 to windows7
Sep 16, 2015 6:56AM PDT

thanks, wpgwpg. the driver was missing. a neighbor gave her a downloaded driver specific for her model DELL. the device manager shows a driver but still no internet in the PC.

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Answer
Beyond drivers, did you check Dell's QuickSet app?
Sep 16, 2015 5:11AM PDT

Is it running? Did you use the hotkey to turn on the WiFi?

And is there any Norton or other security apps? I've lost count of how many times Norton blocks the web but connects to the internet. Thuggish behavior on their part.

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reverting from windows10 to windows7
Sep 16, 2015 7:07AM PDT

This is a PC that I have no personal access to but I WILL relay this info to my friend. I will ask her about her antivirus and tell her about hotkey- I'm assuming you mean F2. Thanks for your help.

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Did not write about hotkey.
Sep 16, 2015 7:21AM PDT

The hotkeys don't work unless Dell's Quickset is working so again, this area appears to test folk's intimacy with their gear as well as the industry's lack of documentation that nobody reads.

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: reverting from windows10 to windows7
Sep 17, 2015 6:39AM PDT

Thanks, R.Proffit. If this was my PC, I would have no issue. I know my machine. Personally, I think my friend should have read online help before reverting to 7. She has no clue where to find programs and features on her Dell (mine is Compaq Presario- I know, 'ancient' but custom built for me). She having some one completely reinstall 7. Thanks Cnet community for all your help.