My computer must hate me...(wireless adapter trouble)

[Cricket_Lover]

I'm having another problem...well, I know that that old video card from ages ago is junk (just tested it), but the problem is that this computer now keeps crashing when I connect to the internet through the WG111v2 adapter. CrashGuard won't intercept it, and the crash is the hard reset type (the computer resets itself). Thankfully, I'm using Firefox, which keeps my tabs...but it's annoying with all the restarts, and I have to wait for the drivers to load EVERY SINGLE TIME (the computer also does a hard reset if the adapter is plugged in during boot). Any ideas?

As always, this is Windows 98 SE, 4.10.2222A, all official updated installed, and either the driver version or software version of the adapter is 1.0.0.133 (I have a HKLM\Software\Netgear\...adapter\1.0.0.133 key in this registry). BTW, this computer is currently hooked up directly.

[dahlarbear]

Look for an updated driver.  See "Downloads" tab of following link:  WG111v2 54 Mbps Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter

My first guess is "WG111v2 3.4.0" is the current software installation package which contains "Win 98SE/Me driver version: 5.1308.1226.2007".

My second guess is your "1.0.0.133" is the "Utility version"; whatever that is.  The "Utility version" in the current software installation package is "1.0.0.184".  That's why I think you "may" have an old driver.

On your system, look for the Netgear WG111 device in Device Manager.  Right click on it and select "Properties" from context menu.  Select the "Driver" tab.  Note the "date".  Now selet the "Driver File Details..." button.  Should show list of driver files.  Select each one and note "Provider" and "File version" for each one.

For the files provided by Netgear, what file version does it show?  Compare that to the version number within the current software installation package.

[Cricket_Lover]

I do know how to do that stuff, you know...
It's just that the last time I updated those drivers was a couple weeks ago...but the site might have had an older version (the site of the company I got the adapter from).

[dahlarbear]

1.  Corrupt System File.  You might also try the "System File Checker" utility (sfc) within Windows 98SE to check for missing and/or "corrupt" system files.  You can edit its configuration to specify which directories (and subdirectories) to search (so I assume it can be used to verify integrity of third party software as well).

Should you discover a "corrupt" file, the burden is on you to determine what and/or where the lastest source is for that file.

Can be invoked from:
    "Start" -> "Run" text box

or
    "Start" -> "Programs" -> "Accessories" -> "System Tools" -> "System Information" > "Tools" -> "System File Checker"

2.  Safe Mode.  If there's a "Safe Mode with Networking" available within Windows 98SE, you might give that a shot.  This would start without most (if not all of your security software).  If the wireless runs fine there, then consider a conflict with the security software, or the possibility the offending software might not be the wireless.

[Cricket_Lover]

I already tried running the SFC (from HiddenTools, so I don't need to know it's location). However, when the bar reaches 100%, Norton CrashGuard always pops up at me, so it can never really update the snapshot (as far as I know of, anyway).

[patio]

Where do you find SFC in "hidden tools" ? ?

[Cricket_Lover]

HiddenTools is kind of like a menu of programs which can be useful, but normally don't have a shortcut to them. I am using the Windows 98 version of it.

[dahlarbear]

If you're behind a home router you may "clean boot" the Windows 98 SE to see how the WG111v2 adapter performs independent of your security software or other third party software drivers.  Since Windows 98 SE does not support "Safe Mode with Networking", this would be the next best thing.

Reference:  How to Perform Clean-Boot Troubleshooting for Windows 98