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General discussion

Vista Update killed my wireless network booster ALFA card

Feb 15, 2011 3:58AM PST

I have a Fujitsu Siemens laptop that runs on windows vista and has never given me any problems.

Whilst in the middle east I bought an ALFA network card (AWUS036H) which connects through a USB port and strengths the ability to receive a wireless signal.

Windows updated today and all of a sudden, the light on the card is out. In fact, upon login i get the "USB Device Not Recognized" message.

Any ideas on how I can get the card working again and avoid relying on the laptops internal means of detecting a wireless network?

would love if anyone can help.

thanks

Discussion is locked

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Just a few ideas.
Feb 15, 2011 4:00AM PST

1. System restore to when it worked.
2. Don't accept drivers from Windows Update.

But you write it killed the card. This would be a first. I've yet to find a software to kill such things. Wipe the memory yes, but not kill it.
Bob

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yes!
Feb 15, 2011 4:05AM PST

Lol ok , "killed" was a little dramatic!

I just remembered, I did exactly what you said this afternoon and it worked fine.

Im pretty paranoid about refusing updates cos i dont want anything to go wrong with the machine. And the thing is, the updates that were installed before it stopped working again were the ones where your computer updates when its starting up and shutting down (when it counts you through percentages)...so they seemed like fairly important updates?

am i wrong? can i ignore updates and have a smoothly running system?

and thanks for such a sharp response, Bob. much appreciated.

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Sorry.
Feb 15, 2011 4:10AM PST

Glad to see it's working again but without the udpates by KB number the forum is left without much to look at.

Remember to avoid driver updates from Microsoft. This continues to be a weak spot for Windows Update.
Bob

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identifying driver updates in the windows update
Feb 15, 2011 4:19AM PST

The windows updates were:

KB905866
KB2393802
KB2479628
KB2482017
KB2483185
KB2117917
KB2485376

How can I tell which is the one that disabled the card? Can I uninstall it from control panel? Once rejected, will windows pester me to install the update again? I'd like a solution that doesnt result in constant prompting to install this bogus driver update.

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A quick look finds.
Feb 15, 2011 5:41AM PST

The ones I do suspect are the ones that involve KERNEL changes. Research each one and install all but the kernel KB. It should be fine.

The KERNEL changes may require an owner to uninstall some USB BROADBAND device, driver and support software, update the OS and then install the USB BROADBAND device as if it was a fresh install.

If that fails, then you look for updates from the provider of the broadband device.
Bob