Qwest 11n wireless adapter driver issue

[Vincenzo]

I just upgraded a friend's HP desktop from Vista to Win 7. The Qwest 11n wireless adapter (actually an Actiontec 802ain) which worked fine in Vista, now has a problem. Everytime the computer is turned off and turned back on, the wireless adaptor disappears from Control Panel>Network Adapters, we need to reload the driver.

The driver installation file is loaded on the adapter, we re-install it by unplugging/re-plugging the adapter into the usb port.

It is kind of an odd install. At first the adapter shows up as a flash drive and autoplay prompts you to run Setup.exe., then it no longer shows up as a flash drive.
Here is the Quickstart Guide http://support.actiontec.com/doc_fi..._802AIN_Wireless_USB_Adapter_on_Windows_7.pdf

Any ideas how to make it so I do not have to reinstall the driver every time I turn on the computer? It was not like that on Vista.

I am wondering if there is a service or something that needs to be started.

Both Qwest and Actiontec have no ideas, they say the device is compatible with Windows 7.

Thanks

 

[2xg]

Hi Vincenzo,

When you installed the driver, was there a wireless manager software also that was installed?

 

[Vincenzo]

No, it uses the Windows wireless manager.

The UAC prompt says the program name is Setup MFC Application, by Atheros.

Thanks

 

[2xg]

Is there another Windows 7 computer that you may try installing this Actiontec/QWest Wi-Fi device?

 

[Vincenzo]

Yes, it works fine on another Windows 7 computer.

 

[2xg]

Restart your computer, tap F8 and select Safe Mode with Networking. Disable any AV or Security Software for now. Remove/uninstall the Wi-Fi adapter, then install the new driver for the Qwest/Actiontec. Boot in the Normal Mode and test your connection again.

Another update will be nice.

 

[Vincenzo]

I actually tried that previously. After uninstalling I was unable to install the driver again. When I would go to install it, the UAC prompt came up, I clicked Yes, then nothing else seemed to happen, and the driver was not installed. I worked for hours trying various things to get it installed, finally gave up and restored a Ghost image I had made.

Thanks

 

[Vincenzo]

I connected a different brand wireless adapter that I had lying around. This one has the more common type of driver install. I downloaded the driver, ran the exe, and it installed the usual way, and worked.

But when I rebooted, I was presented with one of the same dialogs that came up when I ran the install - the one that asks if I want to use Windows to manage the wireless, or use the manufacturer's application. Essentially it was re-configuring the driver again, which seems very similar to what was happening with the Qwest wireless adapter. So this other adapter seems to have similar problems with this new Win 7 upgrade too.

It seems like maybe some Windows service that needs to be running is not. But I checked the total number of services running in services.msc with and without the adapter, it is the same. I also looked in services.msc for the WZC service, but I don't see it at all, even when the adapter is running fine. Perhaps WZC is no longer used in Windows 7.

Any ideas?

Thanks

 

[2xg]

If you want your Windows to manage WLAN Auto Config, you may uninstall the wireless manager software from Control Panel's Add Remove program.

If you want the software takes control of the wireless connection make sure that WLAN Auto Config service is disabled.

 

[Vincenzo]

Thanks, but there's no issue with which software controls the wireless. I was just mentioning that as an indication that the wireless adapter driver seems to need to be re-loaded and re-configured every time I boot the computer.

 

[2xg]

A USB Wi-Fi Adapter? I would try a PCI card if you have not done it yet.

I connected a different brand wireless adapter that I had lying around. This one has the more common type of driver install. I downloaded the driver, ran the exe, and it installed the usual way, and worked.

 

[Vincenzo]

That is a good idea. I'll look into that.

 

[Vincenzo]

My friend needed his computer back so he took it, but we'll try a pci card adapter once he finds one.

Thanks

 

[2xg]

Just keep us posted Vincenzo.