doesn't look like dell has drivers for the 32 OS I would of installed the 64 os as dell has the drivers for that. https://www.dell.com/support/home/us/en/19/product-support/product/inspiron-15r-n5110/drivers

 

32bit or 64 bit makes no real difference the wifi card and driver are what you need for wifi the other option is using a ethernet cable which is more stable but less convenient.

 

There are some drivers for 32 bit maybe not the one for this laptop but still worth checking the avaiable ones to see https://www.dell.com/support/home/uk/en/ukbsdt1/product-support/product/inspiron-15r-n5110/drivers

 

I would be surprised that it doesn't have a wifi card in it all ready. that's why I said I would install the 64 bit os of win 7. dell list a driver for wifi on their site for 64 bit os

 

Many thanks all for your replies, I will follow your advice. I have checked the laptop and there is no wireless card inside, much too my surprise. Regards, Spades.

 

Then a usb wifi dongle will do the job https://www.amazon.co.uk/Wireless-USB-Adapters/b?ie=UTF8&node=430581031

 

Cheers for the information. Spades ♠.

 

Why not install the Windows 7 64 bit version?

 

I have an Dell Inspiron 15R N5100 laptop, spec being:
INTEL i3-2330MCPU @ 2.20Ghz - 6.00GB RAM - HD 500GB

You definitely should install 64-bit Windows, else you'll only be using half of the installed RAM.

 

Thank you for your reply. I'm just upgrading windows 7 from 32bit to 64bit.

 

Many thanks for your reply. Just upgrading now.

 

Once you install the 64 bit version of Windows 7, go Start/Search and type devmgmt.msc and press enter. If you have any devices with Yellow flags, that need drivers, you can download the drivers at the Dell Drivers site, type in your Service Tag# or use this link https://www.dell.com/support/home/us/en/19/product-support/product/inspiron-15r-n5110/drivers

 

Thanks very much for the information. I'm afraid I need your further help please. After trying to upgrade from 32bit to 64bit but it will not do so, after inserting the 64bit disk it responds, Unknown Publisher. I've also tried to restore to factory settings using the Dell Emergency Restore feature but I am not given the option from the Advanced Boot menu after pressing F8 on boot up. I do not have a restore/rescue disc. I have downloaded from Dell their OS Recovery Tool using USB stick on my other computer. The trouble is, the programme won't run on the laptop as there are no USB drivers installed. Is there anyway around this problem ?.

 

If you have a Windows 7 Product key, you can download the ISO image from Microsoft Of Windows 7
You can burn the ISO to a USB Flash drive with Rufus, in my signature.
You do not need USB Drivers when booting off of a USB Boot Flash drive, The Bios should recognize it. If you don't have a Windows 7 key, I am afraid you will have to purchase one. In that case, you might as well buy a Windows 10 Key.

 

Many thanks for your help. Pleased to say I have a product key and I will do as you recommend.

 

It seems you tried to upgrade to 64-bit while the 32-bit installation was running. That won't work. You must boot from the 64-bit installation media and perform a clean installation, wiping out the 32-bit installation. The 64-bit installer won't run on 32-bit OS.

 

Thank you for the info, I didn’t know that. Cheers.