Realtek Network Controller Driver (was not found)

I have a nightmare case. I'm literally seconds from throwing the POFS in the trash or taking it to the desert and shooting it..

First of all laptop was working as designed with both Ethernet and wi-fi. 8.1

I upgraded to Win10 (like an idiot) got done and Ethernet port is dead. Orange light still on port.

Downloaded windows 10
Ethernet port is dead
wireless only works
tried to update driver got this message "the realtek network controller was not found, if deep sleep mode is enabled please plus the cable"
device manager > network adapters > only shows wireless RTL8188EE Wi-Fi adapter > properties> power mgmt.> unchecked allow computer to turn off this device to save power > restart> no Ethernet
did clean re-install of windows 10
no change
Windows C> Realtek>Drivers> NO CONTROLLER FOUND > PCIE wireless LAN> update driver> no change
realtek website > search > realtek network controller > uploaded> reboot> no change
BIOS startup> turned off in config settings > reboot> no change

HP support sent me on a wild goose chase had me do a reset, which prevented me to roll back to 8.1

windows 10 post install ethernet controller MIA - HP Support Forum - 5222515

HP sends factory reimaging to 8.1
install
updated all updated from HP and MS.
They say send it back to them with a 3 week turn around (as a last resort when im done and call it quits)
searching the web I did all the commands ipconfig, no corrupted files
have no internet651 and did all those which led me back to command prompts

last thing I found is that win 7 and win 8 shared drivers and win 10 is compatible

end result is this, whenever I download and install the realtek network controller driver and reboot the only network adapter that shows is the Realtek RTL8188EE 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi Adapter in device manager

If I show hidden ive got WAN Miniport x9 or so IKA, IP, IPv6, L2TP, Network Monitor, PPPOE, PPTP and SSTP.

No family controller or Realtek network controller driver

just this haunting nightmare no matter what i do or try its still there

"the realtek network controller was not found, if deep sleep mode is enabled please plus the cable"


I think i'm going to stroke out here..... I know its got to be something stupid....

Help.... me..... please

RFD

If you want to throw away your PC, that's your choice -- but I had a similar disaster with an HP pavilion laptop -- and decided to fix it, rather than trash it. In my case, I ordered HP Recovery Media and in only a few hours, I had a working laptop back. Yeah I had to reinstall apps, but that was not a lot of work. You need to consider that as an option -- a lot cheaper than sending the laptop to HP and having them do it, unless it's still under warranty. If you want to restore it yourself, read the info at the link: HP PCs - Obtaining HP Recovery Discs or an HP USB Recovery Drive | HP® Customer Support

Thanks for the reply Mark, that was what I did yesterday. That was what I meant by re-imaged (sorry for incorrect terminology). That's why I am at a loss here. They sent me 3 dvd set windows 8.1 recovery media and a application/driver dvd. Performed all yesterday. Plug in Ethernet cable and its not seeing the connection even though the port light that is orange is still on.

If I go to C drive and search "Realtek Ethernet Controller Driver" nothing comes up. If I go to uninstall programs...it's right there staring me in the face. Could it be that the realtek software installed on the assembly line is for 2006 (machine born on date 9/1/2014) and the root folder is currently misplaced and was moved when I installed W10 a couple weeks ago?

Is there a way to diagnose the Ethernet port itself? (besides plugging a cable into it) like a flow chart, step by step process to see that the processor recognizes the port exists?


Ethernet port worked at purchase, laptop came with 8.1 with win 10 upgrade upon rollout

Upgrade to win 10 from 8.1 now Ethernet port is dead but orange port light is on. Tech support adv to w10 reset, no change, sent me recovery disks in the mail

Performed recovery, set up as brand new, problem still exists.

This laptop runs my business, I cant afford for it to be gone for 3 weeks why they repair it but I will send it in as last resort after all avenues are exhausted and confirmed.

I just don't know where to go to next in diagnosing the port or router/modem (did confirm all ports out of Netgear N450 are operational and also tested 4 different cables. I also did a factory rest of the netgear N450.

I'm missing something somewhere..

I use Auslogics Driver Updater to test and install drivers there is a free version it has even found more up to date drivers than ones listed on the realtex site