I am trying to repair my parents computer.

-They call and tell me their internet doesn't work.
-I surmise that the onboard ethernet is fried. They left it plugged in while they went on vacation and I think lightning must of hit it.
-There is no green or yellow light on the onboard ethernet when I plug it in.
-I plugged in the DSL cable to their laptop and it easily connects to the internet.

So their connection is not the problem. Their onboard ethernet must be toast.

-I go to best buy and buy a cheap-o ethernet card - a Dynex 10/100mbps PCI network card that is compatible with Windows Vista (their OS)
-I plug it in and Windows detects it and tries to install its own drivers but it always fails to find the appropriate drivers
-I then put in the Dynex install disc that comes with the card and install the drivers.
-It seems to install but in the device manager there are like 20 rows of...

!Ethernet Controller
!Ethernet Controller

etc...or something like that

So it seems Vista can't install the drivers correctly or my parent's mobo has damaged ethernet parts that prevent even a PCI nic card to install?

Do any of you have any ideas?

They also had a HookDLL trojan weeks ago that I am still unable to remove and since it can't connect makes it harder to troubleshoot. So I am about to suggest replacing her mobo and reformatting her drive.

What do you guys think? Please help!

disable all the ethernet controllers in device manger and uninstall them look online for a updated driver that might work better. if that doesn't work i would just reformat it since they have trojans and possibly more viruses and it might get the card working

good luck