Problem with USB Wireless dongle

kindeller · 23 Jan 2012

Updated issues:

USB Wireless dongle/adapter (Tenda W322U v2.0)
Struggles to connect on boot, and extends shutdown time
Performs poorly at lower varying speeds (30mb connection: 0.2-7mb/s) when connected
Struggles to connect, displaying no/missing wireless access points
When connecting to access points takes extended amounts of time often locking/freezing win7 wireless windows and properties only.
often requires diagnostic to restart the device before it will connect after a system restart.
Drivers are up to date
Tested on other machines on the same network, works promptly to connect.
Dongle works "fine" after connected initially often not displaying the issues found after a restart however suffers poor performance.(see page 3).
Attempting to communicate with the device, installing new drivers, uninstalling drivers/device, connecting to new networks, are some of the causes for freezing. Repeatable.
Initial freezes often occur on new networks on "attempting to authenticate" phase of the connection process.
Attempts to connect to a wireless network, even when the device is unplugged on login?

Original Post

I posted recently on the forum... unfortunately no one replied for some reason but in a last ditch attempt I've narrowed my issue down and am hoping for some guidance. Basically my computer is having issues with numerous devices that are plugged into them. I use a wireless dongle for my internet access, it regularly fails to connect, or takes an extended amount of time to respond often freezing/crashing explorer.exe (this happens with several makes and types of dongles.. other computers on the network connect without issues). If i am connected the device is week and therefore so is signal resulting in slow network/internet speeds.

I also have issues with keyboard and mouse (both USB) failing to respond on start up although all lights are on, they don't function. On most occasions the only way to get the computer to recognize the device is a restart. Finally i've had issues with a self powered (via socket) 2TB HDD, often failing to be recognized by windows.

Very very frustrated, Any help at all or suggestions appreciated!

DustSailor · 23 Jan 2012

Hello Kindeller, Welcome to Sevenforums

I am sorry Myself and others failed to see/respond to your issue. Sometimes threads slip past us on occasion.

First, please Fill out your specs - this tool may help you with that. Click on the links to be directed to where you need to go.

Also, type "devices and printers" into the start search and click the first program at the top. Then type "device manager" into the start search and click the first program at the top. In both of those windows, please let me know if you see any exclaimation marks near any of the devices.

jumanji · 23 Jan 2012

There can be many reasons why USB external devices behave erratically and many suggested solutions.

First do a drive cleanup as detailed in the following link.
If it does not resolve your problem, we can suggest other solutions.

USB drive or flash problems? How to cleanup and remove old USB storage drivers - TechSpot OpenBoards

kindeller · 24 Jan 2012

Thanks for the quick replies, spec has been filled out for you! There are no issues as far as the computer is aware and as far as i can see. I downloaded restarted and removed all drivers for the USB's. As soon as the wireless dongle adapter was plugged in, the device froze the wireless taskbar icon on the bottom right again. With the same issue and resolution (once removed from the USB slot the wireless icon responded - showing access points, then realising the device was removed and closing it again)

Edit: Its worth noting I can almost definitely rule out software or OS issues because I've done a complete fresh OS install in an attempt to resolve any driver/registry and other issues that might conflict. But i'll leave that up to you (:

jumanji · 24 Jan 2012

You still haven't given out the info DustSailor wanted. (Devices and Printers, Device Manager - whether any ! or ? mark is there) :)

Since you said you had installed Windows afresh, I may ask this question. Did you try your USB devices immediately after the OS Installation + all necessary drivers for the devices + all Windows updates and before installing any software. What was the status? Plus you are now clinging on to just one device the Wireless adapter whereas your first post mentioned other USB devices too. Can you please elaborate what these devices are and whether all of them exhibit the same behaviour after your fresh install?

kindeller · 24 Jan 2012

"There are no issues as far as the computer is aware" - implied no the computer hasn't given any errors in any part of the device manager. Its apparently working properly, however when storage device isnt recognised it does shot an exclamation mark. Yes, and they worked fine for a while. I'm focused on the wireless device because its the one i originally have the problem with, it's also the most prevalent. I have tested the hardware (dongle/harddrive) on other computers on the network that appear to work fine. So in know the hardware is not at fault. My main USB storage device used to transfer around 30mb/s Now can only manage half of that if im lucky. and just the other day upon booting my computer the keyboard and mouse where powered by the computer but unresponsive, a restart fixed the issue.

As i mentioned i originally believed the issue lay with the USB dongle, slowly I've been troubleshooting the device and my computer and sought any help i can find. If theres anything else you want me to rule out before continuing, i'd be happy to try. but as far as im aware this is the USB port issue... but im more than likely wrong so Throw stuff at me to troubleshoot/try.

Thanks for the help so far! (:

DustSailor · 24 Jan 2012

Hello again kindeller,

Just to make sure, exactly which USB devices aren't working? All of them some of the time, or specific ones all the time? You say your wireless adapter is having trouble, is there another USB device also having trouble, or is the trouble with a specific USB port?

Try plugging it in to another USB port to see if a specific port is the problem. Assuming your mouse and keyboard both use USB and work well, try those ports, and plug the devices in to the port that isn't working (or perhaps it is working and this is not the issue).

And you say you have all up to date driver software for all USB devices. I am still curious what devices those are. As well, try Revo uninstaller free (found here) to remove the drivers that are having issues (USB and Wireless adapter) if you can find them to remove them. If not, just use Windows uninstaller. Then download the drivers again (Use a LAN line for internet, or download the wireless driver before you uninstall it so that you don't lose the internet connection). Now here is the tricky part. You might try a little experiement with the wireless driver. Sometimes, if you use a slightly older version of the driver, it can work a little better than the most recent one. So try that and see how it goes.

What antivirus are you using? And are you using just the standard windows firewall? Do you have all windows updates installed?

alphanumeric · 24 Jan 2012

Power down your PC and unplug the power supply from the wall outlet. Now press your case power button and hold it down for a couple of seconds. The power LED on your case should lite up and then fad out. Now plug the power supply back into the AC wall plug and power up normally. Now see if things have improved. USB ports have an overload protection circuit to prevent damage from a short or current overload. Once its tripped it can be tricky to get it to reset. Completely draining all power usually does it. It sounds like your USB devices aren't getting enough current or the voltage is low. If this doesn't work I might try swapping in another power supply as a test, if you have one or can borrow one. Also check all your motherboard power cables including any of the 4, 6 or 8 pin aux cables.

kindeller · 25 Jan 2012

Thanks again for the replies and sticking with me, i had a friend of mine who works in It support for a company had a look at it. He says its might not necessarily the USB's because they may run on the same chip/memory block or something to that effect so thats why it knocks out the entire USB functionality while trying to fix the issue. He thinks its something to do with software issues still :/ There is only one that seams to have consistent issues (the wireless dongle). The keyboard, mouse and mass storage are irregular but he thinks they are just coincidences/effects of the dongle problems.

Assuming the issues with the dongle still.. I did try all of the above swapping ports,uninstalling via that clean up wizard, uninstalling via windows devices and printers/device manager and it froze the computer, and wouldn't respond. reinstalling over using both up to date downloaded drivers, and the one supplied on the CD, and letting windows install what one it wants. I've swapped the dongle between computers every one i put in has issues with my system, but works fine on other machines.

We have two identical dongles on two computers on the network (although different machines entirely set up wise). None the less one connects to the network instantly as soon as you sign on, the other (mine) wont connect to a network/cant find the network/locks the computer etc

I've checked drivers, settings, OS updates, Ipconfig info, all of which are similar where necessary... But i have to have missed something :/

I'm the only one on the network that has the issue (even after restarts), so we know the router is fine.

I'm willing to start from scratch and run through all the troubleshooting ideas you have, im fed up with the unreliability its giving me. I'm on a 30mb Connection which I used to get now it ranges from 0.43mb/s to 7mb/s, when it actually finds/stays connected.

DustSailor · 25 Jan 2012

DustSailor said:

What antivirus are you using? And are you using just the standard windows firewall? Do you have all windows updates installed?

Once more, let me know the answer to these questions. As well, can you post a screenshot of your control Panel Programs?