HP Compaq dc7800p Network device disappeared

[MarcLister]

A colleague reported an issue with his dc7800p computer on Monday. I worked out that the network device had disappeared from Windows. In the Network Devices screen on XP there is absolutely nothing.

I've found in the Device Manager a few issues but I don't think any are related to network devices although I have thrown all sorts of drivers at them to no avail.

I've googled "HP dc7800p network device disappears" and found some links about either a BIOS setting to be reversed or a need to remove the MB battery/reset the CMOS. I can't find the BIOS setting that some links refer to (http://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Notebo...ons/Disappearing-Ethernet-Adaptor/td-p/271987) and having pressed the CMOS yellow button for 30 seconds AND removing the battery (http://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Deskto...cting-network-controller-in-bios/td-p/1540341) the network device doesn't activate when I run the PC and plug a network cable in.

Any ideas on what's happened and what I can do to get the PC back up and running? My colleague has a spare PC but would like this one back.

 

[Avalon]

Reset CMOS, check the port is enabled and if it has any form of cable detection/checking in the bios (some give estimates of cable length etc.), if not then chuck a NIC in assuming it's got a free slot, if not look to other connectivity options such as wifi or USB-LAN.

 

[MarcLister]

Hi Avalon. I've reset the CMOS. I'm struggling to find any settings in the BIOS that refer to enabling or disabling the LAN. I might see what version of BIOS is installed and update it if necessary and see if that helps.