Failing Network Adapter?

[Deadshot]

I am helping a friend with his Dell desktop computer which is displaying the following error message:

"Windows did not detect a properly installed network adapter. If you have a network adapter, you will need to re-install the driver"

He has been able to restart the computer and get the network to recognize about 1 out of 10 times. I got him to uninstall the driver and restart the computer and it reinstalled the driver and now it is working about 9/10 times.

When he called Dell they wanted to charge him $200 to reinstall Windows after going in remotely and looking at things. I am wondering if its a failing network adapter since it works sometimes. I don't want him to spend all that money if its hardware and not windows. Here's the specs on his system.

windows 7, 64 bit os, Dell, xps 8300,
RAM: 12GB
Processor: Intel core i7-2600, 3.40 GHz

[jlreich]

Sounds likely to be a bad NIC. You can get a Gb NIC for $10-$20 at Newegg or wherever. I would try that long before reinstalling windows.

If you want to rule out software throw in a Linux Live CD. If the network works fine in Linux then it is a windows software issue. If it does the same thing then the NIC is bad.

[LochLomonder]

When he called Dell they wanted to charge him $200 to reinstall Windows after going in remotely and looking at things.

Are they sub-contracting with Geek Squad for that ridiculous amount? Ignore that completely :p

I second jlreich's advise, so try that out with the Linux distro first. If the card doesn't work under that environment, buy a new one and tell Dell where they can stick their $200 charge.