Member Avatar for pulsewidth16

Hi,

I just moved into a new place and had to setup my computer again, going from using a cable connection to now a wireless cable connection. I'm using a friend's Access Point, so all I needed was an adapter for my Windows XP Service Pack 2 machine.

I first bought a . After using it a few times, it kept freezing my computer in about a half hour.

So I returned it and bought the Linksys Compact Wireless-G USB Adapter. That also kept freezing my computer after less than a half hour.

The freezing occurs only when I've plugged either adapters into my USB 2.0 slots. Is there any reason this is happening?

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A common XP‑SP2 failure mode is shown here: third‑party wireless utilities can conflict with Windows' Wireless Zero Configuration (WZC) and the USB stack, producing hangs rather than simple disconnects. As discovered, removing the vendor connection utility and installing only the adapter driver while letting Windows manage the wireless often cures random freezes. The earlier suggestions from (check Event Viewer) and (update BIOS/chipset and USB drivers) are on point and worth following alongside the driver-only approach.

Why this happens: many vendor utilities install background services and extra driver components that take over scanning, roaming and power handling. On XP these extras can race with WZC or interact badly with imperfect USB host‑controller drivers or power‑management settings, leading to system hangs instead of ordinary network drops. Non‑OEM motherboards with older chipset/USB drivers are particularly susceptible.

Practical, repeatable checklist (apply in order):

  • Remove the vendor utility via Add/Remove Programs, then use msconfig to disable any leftover startup entry and services.msc to ensure vendor wireless services are stopped. Set the "Wireless Zero Configuration" service to Automatic and started.
  • In Device Manager uninstall the wireless device (allow Windows to redetect on reboot) and reinstall using driver files only (Update Driver -> point to the driver .inf), or obtain a driver‑only package from the vendor support site.
  • Update motherboard chipset and USB host‑controller drivers and, if available, BIOS. In Device Manager open each USB Root Hub -> Power Management and uncheck "Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power."
  • Plug the adapter into a rear motherboard port (avoid front ports and hubs) or use a short passive USB extension to move it away from metal/heat sources; consider an adapter with an external antenna for stability.

For installers that force utility+driver (as noted): try uninstalling in Safe Mode, remove startup entries first, or ask the vendor for a driver‑only download. If freezes continue, examine System/Application Event Viewer entries timestamped at the freeze for clues (look for USB/NDIS/driver errors).

Recommended Answers

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Member Avatar for DMR

Somewhat obvious suggestions, but worth mentioning:

1. Simply uninstalling the software for those devices and reinstalling it from scratch will often clear up the freezing/hanging problem.

2. Wireless devices often have specific instructions regarding their installation. For example, the instructions for some NICs say to disable Windows' Wireless Zero configuration utility before installing, while others will tell you to install the NIC using Windows' Found New Hardware and Wireless Zero utilities. Additionally, some device's instructions say to install the software before connecting the device, but other's instruct that you install the device before the software. Follow your particular card's instructions carefully.

Member Avatar for antioed

Pulse - you should tell us more about your computer (click start-->run-->msinfo32 then click "ok"): how much RAM (total physical memory + available), what kind of pc (system manufacturer/system model), BIOS version???

A freeze like that sounds like some aspect of your hardware's not working properly. If this is a Dell or other "big brand" you can go to their site and update the device drivers, BIOS and specifically chipset (if applicable). I've noticed lately that newer Intel chipsets need chipset/BIOS for USB (specifically) to operate correctly.

Member Avatar for pulsewidth16

Okay, here are the specs:

WinXP Service Pack 2 Professional
AMD Athlon 64 Processor 3200+
2GHz, 1GB of RAM
Avail Physical Memory: 582MB
Not a brand name, it's made from a manufacturer that designs 3D gaming computers

I've been following the instructions and using the wireless connectivity through the adapter's software rather than use Windows' version. I'm going to reinstall it again and see what happens. Thanks.

Member Avatar for pulsewidth16

I tried re-installing the software for the Linksys adapter, I even updated the driver. Unfotunately I'm still freezing. Could it have anything to do with other USB devices that I have hooked up to my machine? I only currently have a Wacom tablet, printer, external HD, and the occasional iPod installed in the USB ports and have about 3 more available.

Member Avatar for DMR

1. Try using the wifi adapter with no other USB devices connected and see if that makes a difference.

2. Your event logs may have some clues in them. Open the Event Viewer utility in your Administrative Tools control panel and look through your System and Application logs for entries flagged with "Error" or "Warning". Double-clicking on such an entry will open a properties window with more detailed information on the error; post the details from a representative sample of some of the different error messages (please don't post duplicates or flood us with the entire logs).
To do so:
In the Properties window of a given entry, click on the button with the graphic of two pieces of paper on it; the button is at the right of the window just below the up arrow/down arrow buttons. You won't see anything happen when you click the button, but it will copy all of the details to the Windows clipboard. You can then paste the details into your next post here.

Member Avatar for pulsewidth16

I've unplugged all the USB devices from my machine except for the WIFI adapter. I even moved it to a different part of the machine that has other USB 2.0 ports. And it still freezes my machine after awhile.

I'm going to take a look at the Event Viewer later on today. I'm also going to try to buy another wifi adapter that doesn't look like a plugin card, but one that has a cable and an antenna on it to see if that makes a difference.

Member Avatar for DMR

Keep us posted on your progress...

Member Avatar for pulsewidth16

Hi, been awhile but I think I solved the issue.

So I decided to exchange my Linksys Compact Wireless-G USB Adapter for a Linksys Wireless A/G USB Network Adapter. And it was running fine with no freezing, until it happened again a few days later.

So I had a technician examine my computer. It seems that the software for the Linksys adapter conflicted with Windows XP wireless configuration program, causing my computer to freeze. So we simply uninstalled the device and re-installed only the drivers without the software. Then we had WinXP configure my wireless connection. So far, it's been successful. I've been able to use the internet for hours on end with no freezing. And I'm able to leave my computer running without any freezes so far.

So hopefully this should solve my problem. Thanks guys for your help.

Member Avatar for DMR

Glad you finally got it sorted out...

Member Avatar for fld2000

Hi, been awhile but I think I solved the issue.

So we simply uninstalled the device and re-installed only the drivers without the software. Then we had WinXP configure my wireless connection. So far, it's been successful. I've been able to use the internet for hours on end with no freezing. And I'm able to leave my computer running without any freezes so far.

Hi,

I have the same problem with an Olitec adapter. My problem is that the installation routine installs drivers and software at the same time without giving me a choice. Same for the uninstall routine: when I run it the configurations software is gone but so are the drivers. I would really welcome a suggestion.

Member Avatar for DMR

Hi fld2000,

First of all- welcome to DaniWeb :)

As per our forum rules, members should not tag their questions on to a thread previously started by another member (regardless of how similar the problems may seem). Not only does it divert the focus of the thread away from the original poster's problem, but it also makes it less likely that you yourself will get the individual attention that you need.

Please start your own thread and post your question there. When you do, please try to give us as much specific info as possible regarding the problem (exact error messages, system specs, etc.).

For a full description of our posting guidelines and general rules of conduct, please read this page:

http://www.daniweb.com/techtalkforums/faq.php?faq=daniweb_policies

Thanks for understanding.

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