Windows 7: Xbox 360 Wireless receiver synced with controller, but not windows

Hey guys so the problem is seemingly simple. Windows recognizes the wireless receiver, and the receiver syncs to the controller, but windows randomly recognizes the controller when it feels like it. Here are the details:
I bought a knockoff usb xbox wireless receiver for windows, so I can connect my xbox 360 wireless controller to my pc. The wireless receiver installed OK. I used the Xbox 360 Wireless Receiver for Windows Version: 2.1.0.1349 [8/13/2009] drivers as suggested in numerous threads (eg here:XBOX 360 wireless receiver won't connect to controller with - Microsoft Answers). When I sync my receiver with my controller, they sync up fine (I press the sync button on the receiver, then the controller, they stop flashing). But after that, nothing happens. Windows will recognize the controller sometimes, but that happens pretty much randomly. Sometimes it happens as soon as I turn on the controller, but most of the time the battery lights on the controller keep flashing anywhere from a minute to 10 minutes or more until it connects by itself. Here's what I've tried so far with seemingly no effect on the controller connecting:
1. Telling windows to look for a plug and play device.
2. Bringing the controller and receiver close (eliminating interference)
3. De-syncing (by syncing to my xbox-that works perfectly btw) and re-syncing with my reciever.
4. Trying a different controller
Any help would be appreciated. Thanks to any of you who might have read this TL;DR post