How do i replace network adapter

Driver: Small piece of software that allows the Operating System to communicate with a device

It could be that Windoze in it's esteemed wisdom lost the address to the driver file.

Suggest you try downloading AND installing the network adapter driver, then replace Wireless Adapter

Dell Support > Inspiron 8100 Notebook PC > Drivers & Downloads page,

http://www.dell.com/support/drivers/us/en/19/Product/inspiron-8100

Scroll down. Click on the blue Down Arrow to the left of -
Network (9)

There are 9 network driver files listed? How to know which one you need?
As you notice under the blue title headings, are descriptions of the adapter.
One such as the Manufacturer, and what type of file.

Driver is the one you want.

So now it's narrowed down to three driver files.

A) Dell-Driver:
Applies to True Mobile 1150 Series Mini-PCI Card

B) Dell - Driver:
Applies to True Mobile 1150 Series PC Card

C) 3Com - Driver
Applies to 3CCFE575CT 10/100 MB Ethernet Cardbus PC Card

You can go into Device Manager, and look to see the manufacturers name, and possibly the model number.

Start > Right-click on My Computer > Left-click on Properties > Hardware tab > Device Manager

When Device Manager loads click on the + sign to the left of -
Network adapters
What is the manufacturer name? What is the model number after the name?

No Network adapter title listed?

http://www.bay-wolf.com/geforce4-1.htm

Top photo shows Bottom view of laptop. Panel door all the way to the Right, with a K on it. Remove the single Philips head screw, lift panel door up on screw side, remove.

This is where your network adapter resides.

http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/ins8100/en/sm_en/remove.htm#1050760

What is the manufacturer name, and model number?
Can you match it to one of the driver files?

Downloading and installing driver:

I'm going to use WinXP as the O/S, and the 3CCFE575CT 10/100 MB Ethernet Card as the network adapter, for an example.

Click on the blue p-> 3Com - Driver , name.

You'll see the file's name is R36933.EXE
Click on the blue - Download File - to the right.

Under the bold heading - Choose Download Method, make sure there is a Green dot in the small circle, to the left of -
Single-file download

If not; left-click once in the small empty circle, to the left of -
Single-file download
Click on Continue in the blue oval 'button'.

A small window will come up -
Opening R56933.EXE
Click on Save File.

A small download window will come up.
Allow the file to download all the way, then DOUBLE-click on it.

If a Microsoft 'squawk box' comes up, just click on Yes.
Another one? Click on Run.

At the bottom of the next 3 small windows click on -
Next, Next, and Finish.
If you are not asked to restart your computer, do so.

[Close all windows, go back to your desktop screen.
Click on Start > Turn Off Computer > Restart ]

Still no?
After Windows completely loads, let it run for a couple of minutes.

No "Found new hardware", and maybe, "Found XXXX network adapter" ?

Shut the computer off normally.
Remove the AC adapter (Charger), and Battery.

Open the panel again. If there is a wired cable, see if it can be plugged in any tighter.

If there are two terminals on the network adapter, and two wires going to them;

1) Make a mark on one cable, and a matching mark on the terminal of the network adapter it is connected to.
Remove both wires.

See of you can take a pencil eraser, and clean the terminals.

The only method I use the terminal ends on the wires, is to re-connect them to their respective terminals on the network adapter, and gently turn them back, and forth a little.

AFTER the terminals have been cleaned.

Everything back together, and panel reinstalled?
Reinstall the Battery, and AC adapter. THEN plug AC adapter into power.

WAIT 30 seconds, turn the laptop on.
Still no?

Suggest the network adapter is bad. Replace.

Regards,
joecoolvette

Try installing the LAN driver.
You can download the LAN and device drivers from Dell WEB site, the support download page. Make sure you select your model desktop or laptop, better still, type in the Service Tag number, it is printed on the label on the bottom of the laptop and on the back or sides of a desktop. (If the Service Tag label is missing then go into the BIOS setting and on one of the BIOS pages, the Service Tag number will be displayed). This will open the page where the specific drivers for your model computer are located. Also make sure you select the Windows of the drivers for your Windows operating system. Click on this link to download the drivers: - http://support.dell.com/support/downloads/index.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=gen