Sporadic Internet Issues

[Buckalou]

Well, you said yourself it was a, "super old driver version." How did you ascertain that?

What is the make and model of your WIFI network adapter in the computer? If you don't know, run this program and to the right drop down the network tree: HWiNFO - Free System Information, Monitoring and Diagnostics

Don't click the driver update button in this program. My uBlock Origin flagged it as, "Badware risks." A lot of those so-called "driver update" websites are garbage and have the possibility of hosing over your computer. I'm sure they (the Devs of this program) were paid to add that button fallacy.
Drivers should ALWAYS be downloaded from their respective manufacture's if at all possible, and if not, scan it at Virus Total. Be warned.

Yes, Device Manager can be used, but that's for an .INF (Information File Name Extension) file. Typically, you'd just run an executable you double click on. That's it.

I came to the conclusion that my driver is out of date by going under device manager (screen shot attached). Also just as a heads up I was recently experiencing Internet issue, I then popped open Firefox and bam I was able to connect fine....so it definitely may be a browser issue but not entirely sure. Should I download and run that program above to let you know the make and model of network adapter?

 

[Buckalou]

Screenshot attached of make & model WIFI network adapter per HWIinfo. Not sure how to tell if this is most up to date driver or where to go to find this info out. Ralink was acquired by another company it looks like.

 

[file3456]

Your driver may be in here. Though, there are two versions that support different device IDs. The driver may or may not work. So, I'd do a system restore point prior to updating the driver.

To update the driver, go into the control panel and under programs and features find the Ralink driver and uninstall. First download both Windows 7, 5.0.9.0 drivers.

You said it worked in Firefox? Was that the portable version I gave a link to?

 

[Buckalou]

Your driver may be in here. Though, there are two versions that support different device IDs. The driver may or may not work. So, I'd do a system restore point prior to updating the driver.

To update the driver, go into the control panel and under programs and features find the Ralink driver and uninstall. First download both Windows 7, 5.0.9.0 drivers.

You said it worked in Firefox? Was that the portable version I gave a link to?

Not portable but I want to download portable Firefox and try testing it to see if I can replicate it.

 

[Buckalou]

Your driver may be in here. Though, there are two versions that support different device IDs. The driver may or may not work. So, I'd do a system restore point prior to updating the driver.

To update the driver, go into the control panel and under programs and features find the Ralink driver and uninstall. First download both Windows 7, 5.0.9.0 drivers.

What is the difference between the two drivers you linked (they look identical)? They both look the same to me and if I update how do I know which one to try first? I'm a bit nervous to try and update drivers since PC is pretty old and already not performing great but I do feel that updating driver could potentially help. I have this other issue where sometimes I boot up my PC and it just doesn't pick up or detect ANY connections and the WIFI icon is like grayed out and when I click on it nothing happens, not sure if that could be driver issue as well.

 

[file3456]

The difference between both driver versions seems to be the Dev part. That's why I said do a system restore point first and download both to try both. If one don't work uninstall and try the other.

 

[Buckalou]

The difference between both driver versions seems to be the Dev part. That's why I said do a system restore point first and download both to try both. If one don't work uninstall and try the other.

Sorry for the delay, things have been a bit hectic, appreciate the info and help so far. Is there anyway to install these drivers without first uninstalling the other first? Also side note, if I were to just get a USB wifi adapter, I think you mentioned a Panda one initially, can that override my current network adapter and potentially fix my problem?

 

[file3456]

No, you can't install a driver on top of another.

To use the new WIFI card you need to go into the control panel | Network and Sharing center and disable the current WIFI you're using now by right clicking it and selecting disable.

 

[Buckalou]

No, you can't install a driver on top of another.

To use the new WIFI card you need to go into the control panel | Network and Sharing center and disable the current WIFI you're using now by right clicking it and selecting disable.

Sounds good, thank you! Just wondering if I go the route of uninstalling current driver and reinstalling the newer one, how do I install a .cab file (that's what these driver files are listed as)?

 

[file3456]

Read post #2 here. Instead of Winrar I use the free 7Zip. Download

 

[Buckalou]

No, you can't install a driver on top of another.

To use the new WIFI card you need to go into the control panel | Network and Sharing center and disable the current WIFI you're using now by right clicking it and selecting disable.

F22 Simpilot is there another way to do this? When I go into network and sharing I can't right click anything to disable. Can I go to device manage and disable it from there as well?

 

[Buckalou]

Read post #2 here. Instead of Winrar I use the free 7Zip. Download

F22 Simpilot Following this method what would file would I then use when selecting "browse my computer for driver software" I see 5 files that I unzipped using 7zip. Screenshot attached. Thanks!

 

[file3456]

Read post #2 here. Instead of Winrar I use the free 7Zip. Download

The inf file.

 

[Buckalou]

F22 Simpilot updated driver and seemed like all was well but just tonight issue continued. What’s odd is this time as I was unable to connect I plugged in my USB wifi adapter, connected with that and disabled built in network adapter and it still didn’t work. I’m totally stumped, any other thoughts as to what I can try next?

 

[file3456]

Couple of things. I asked if portable Firefox worked, did it?

Two, you indicated that if you right click a network adapter there is no disable option?

Should look like this image. Go to search and enter view network connections. Does that context menu show up?

Do you have an anti-virus or firewall installed? Try this: The Nuclear Option: Resetting The Crap Out Of Your Network Adapters in Vista - Scott Hanselman's Blog

I'm going to turn all that into a double click batch file one day.

 

[file3456]

Do other devices see the Internet? If you turn off you phone cell Internet, do you get WIFI from this modem you have no control over? How long does Internet last on your phone using just WIFI and not cell Internet?

Answer all questions verbatim from the above post and this post please.

 

[Buckalou]

Do other devices see the Internet? If you turn off you phone cell Internet, do you get WIFI from this modem you have no control over? How long does Internet last on your phone using just WIFI and not cell Internet?

Answer all questions verbatim from the above post and this post please.

Internet still didn't work in portable Firefox. I was able to figure out how to disable it, so scratch what I previously wrote. I have both an anti-virus with a firewall installed. What does that nuclear reset do?

All other devices are connected to the exact same Internet that this PC does and have no issues.

Side note: When this issue occurs a typical restart usually solves the problem, not sure if that's helpful but just letting you know.

 

[file3456]

Try the nuclear option please. It resets the TCP/IP stack. I found some commands not to work. After you do restart the computer.

Are you using a third-party firewall or just the Windows built-in firewall?

What anti-virus do you have?

 

[Buckalou]

Try the nuclear option please. It resets the TCP/IP stack. I found some commands not to work. After you do restart the computer.

Are you using a third-party firewall or just the Windows built-in firewall?

What anti-virus do you have?

I have Webroot SecureAnywhere Antivirus that has a firewall which I'm using. I'll try the nuclear option and report back.