Wireless adapter

[inglenook]

The only two people who work on computers here (I live in the boonies) are stumped: When the AirCruiser G PCI Adapter hardware and software are installed on my HP PC running Vista, the computer stops sending a signal to the monitor. It also happens when I install the hardware and software on my second computer, with an XP OS. Installing the softward both before and after the adapter was installed didn't work, neither did leaving the standard modum card in or when it was taken out. I also tried using a second monitor. Same thing(s).

I originally thought the adaptor might be defective, so I returned it and got a replacement. Same thing.

Because I didn't realize what the problem was, or what was causing it, I really screwed up the computer using XP, and it's now going to cost me $80 to get the OS reinstalled and the computer back in service.

Any suggestions?

[profJim]

Have you checked to see if there are newer drivers available for your wireless adapter?
Can you provide a link to the manufacturer's website for your adapter's exact model?
It's possible that there is an IRQ conflict for the adapter card.

[inglenook]

Thanks. There apparently isn't a new driver for the card, according to Gigabyte's site regarding GN-WP01GS. I have no clue about IRQ.

[profJim]

Are you sure that your XP operating system needs a full re-installation?
Can it boot into safe mode?

Looking at the adapter's user manual, it looks like you might not need to use the GB software/drivers. Did both systems have the same blank video problem when you first booted after the pci card was installed.

The user manual is fairly specific on the software install procedure.
With the pci card removed, try booting into safe mode, open the Windows Device Manager and delete the entry for the pci wireless adapter. This will probably be found in the Network Adapters section. Then uninstall the GB wireless software and see if your system is OK.

[wazza300]

also what motherboard are you using? try to see if theres an updated chipset driver for your motherboard,check in the bios that you havnt set initial first display as your wireless card and set it to your graphics card

[inglenook]

Yeah, the computer with the XP is pretty well fouled up. Besides, I had accumulated so much junk on it that it was about time. I have all my scripts, stories, e-lists, research, photos (2,500 of 'em) in a dual 1TB HD unit, plus more back-ups of everything stored every way from Sunday.

I can boot it off another external HD and have installed a new HD, just for good measure.

To answer your other questions: yes, I got a blank screen on both computers (the XP booted off the external HD). That's the really weird part.

I'll follow your install instructions (to the letter) this evening and get back to you.

I very much appreciate your time and attention. It's very kind of you.

[Reggie]

Enter BIOS.
Plug & Play Operating System [yes/no], change to yes.
Save & Exit BIOS.

Install card in slot.
Start computer.
When "new hardware found" message pops up, follow instructions in manual to install driver.
A 2006 & 2008 driver is listed in downloads. Use the latest driver.

Plug & Play Operating System
Setting the plug and play BIOS option (PNP OS) in CMOS Setup

PNP OS set to Yes

The BIOS configures only critical devices (for example, video, hard-disk, and key- Board).

What happens is the PC starts up and runs fine, except no signal to monitor because the PC is trying to use the network card as the video card. Changing the PNP OS setting will correct that.

[profJim]

You can save yourself a lot of grief if you regularly make a backup image of your boot partition.
I create a backup image to an external hard drive weekly.
All of my important documents, photos, etc are located in other disk partitions and are also regularly backed up including my "working" MY DOCUMENTS folder which is also in a different disk partition.

[Psycho101]

Learning to do a OS install from scratch is also a good idea. Having to pay $80 to have your own software re-installed is a bit of a rip off.

As long as you have your original OS disc, all your program discs and the relevant serial codes for them, it's an easy task. Being a HP computer, there may also be an alternative method to restoring the OS.

Most HP, Packard Bell, Dell etc PC's have the OS stored as an image on a hidden partition of the original Hard Drive. To invoke a re-image there may be either a boot disc that came with the PC or a program you can run by hitting a certain key at startup. Often the function is called "Restore PC" or "Restore Factory Settings/Defaults" etc.

This guide from the MS Knowledge base may be useful to you iof you have a standard OS installation CD and Product Code: How to install or upgrade to Windows XP

If you have a copy of the OS on a hidden partition, consult the documentation that came with your PC.