Hi- Fresh Win7-64 install on a 540s studio and.... NO Network... ? Anybody heard of this?

Has anybody heard of this as a problem?

After installing windows 7 there is simply "No Networking"... the NIC appears to be installed just fine.  The driver says it's okay, the device SEEMS okay... No, it wasn't the firewalll, after completely uninstalling ANY possible blocking software....

I have used this particular version of windows 7 for installs for YEARS... it works great in all PC's all Laptops ... etc... except.............................. this time..... so ... what gives.?

the machine DOES come with a NIC / I installed a wifi card of my own... tried THAT....

NOTHING appears to work.  Even the Wifi appeared to be "installed" BUT....

No Networking... how dumb am I? .... okay, don't answer that.

but PLEASE tell me it's something simple that I'm not seeing...

... has anybody heard of this type of behavior from a DELL or a DELL540?....

Thank You for any decent ideas... / direct experience...