reformatted pc, now internet isnt working?

so a friend fixed it not a shop? The issue is the friends CD is a different version to the one that relates to the CoA sticker on the side of the machine. Short of asking the friend to supply the code number (technically illegal under the terms of the EULA) all you can do is reload Windows using the correct CD.

The internet is not connecting because he has most likely not installed the drivers for the network device. This will be on the CD for the mainboard (if you have it) if not then it needs to be downloaded from the manufacturers website. Obviously as the PC cant connect you will need another PC or laptop to do this, and transfer the driver via CD or USB device.

Even if you reload the drivers and get access you will then still have a PC that is not able to registered online with Microsoft as the key you have does not match the version installed. You can phone Microsoft and they will often supply you with a new number, but this will invalidate the sticker number and is often more hassle than it is worth. What you need to look at is the X number on the sticker, something like X10-12345 and match that to the same X number on the CD. This then should enable you to use the code number on the machine and get a legal copy of Windows installed. As I said at the start, the easiest solution is to ask for the code number that goes with the CD that was used.

Most likely your PC came with the Windows operating system preinstalled, and again most likely, just like 99% of all people you failed to make the recovery disks when you got the PC.

So my guess is that your friend's friend installed a hacked version of windows on it (probably Ultimate instead of the Home version you had before), so that's why the product key is not good. A product key is only good for the exact same version of windows that it is designated for.

Install the exact same version of Windows that came with your PC, and the product key will work.

Otherwise you will need to buy a full install Windows DVD (over $200) and wipe the PC hard drive, after which you can install Windows from the genuine Installation DVD and use the product key that you get with it to activate it.

Your current installation will lock and stop after the 30 days trial period, so you will have to wipe and reinstall your PC every 30 days..........

If you don't want to do this and you don't want to spend money on another Windows Install DVD you can download and install a version of Linux. Linux is free and it's better than Windows anyways (there are no viruses for Linux). Also all the software for Linux is free.

I recommend Linux Mint 9 LTS, you can download here:

http://www.linuxmint.com/release.php?id=13

You want the Gnome DVD, either the 32bit or 64bit according to your computer specs (use 64bit if you have more than 4GB of RAM Memory).

Good luck.

You can repair this your self. Find Administrative tools in your start menu. Open it ,choose Computer management. Open it, choose Device manager. Open it, scroll to Network Adapters. Open and you will find your Internet connection. Right click the connection, scroll in the drop box to Properties, and click it. On the top of the box there are tabs, open the driver tab. Here you can see the details of the driver and the model number. There is a a update tab here also. With Vista and Windows 7, Windows will update the driver for you by clicking on it. XP you will have to go to the manufacture listed in the details, download to a disc or flash drive first on another computer, then install in your computer, then show Windows where it is stored. There are instructions when you download and you just need to write down the location. The Ethernet manufacture most likely is Realtek and their site is very easy to navigate. Hope it helps.

What version of Windows is running, what is the make/model of the computer.

To determine if the drivers have been installed correctly right click on My Computer/Computer depending on your operating system, then select manage. Open device manager. If there are any warning symbols (exclamaition mark or warning triangle) next to any networking devices then they are not installed properly. You either need to install these from the disk you had when you bought the PC, or they need to be downloaded from the PC manufacturers website (on another PC and saved to USB drive obviously)

Try downloading the drivers onto a memory stick or disc from another pc or laptop and then run them on your boyfriends pc

you need the drivers for the ethernet ports, it should be on the CD which came with the computer. or download them from your computers manufacture