I'm running Vista Home Premium SP2 (all the latest updates and drivers) x64 on a 2.2ghz amd dual core with 4 gb RAM. Recently I had a power surge hit my home and kill my built-in ethernet adapter (I have everything plugged into surge protectors ... EXCEPT the cable that runs to my cable modem, which was also fried). To my knowledge the nic in my laptop is solder to the motherboard, so replacing it would very costly. I decided to purchase an ASIX AX88772 Fast USB 2.0 to Ethernet Adapter. It works perfectly for 24-48 hours (my laptop is running 24/7). However, this is where the problem starts...
Seemingly randomly I will see that my network icon is now showing limited connectivity (even though my usb adapter is still flashing send/rec and my cable modem still has the PC light on ... however the cable modem is no longer flashing the send/rec leds). When I try to repair the connection it always fails. If I try to disable then enable the connection explorer.exe (process that manages network and sharing center) crashes (not responding and has to be killed and then rerun) even if I try this on a different connection (ie my old built in nic, or my wifi). Also, once this happens I am no longer able to connect to ANY networks (via wifi), windows will not locate ANY available wifi networks to connect to (even though there are over 8 in my area). Another baffling symptom is that if I try to shut down/restart/Log off it sits at the restart/shut down/log off screen and never actually completes the appropriate action. The only fix is to manually shut down my laptop, then turn it back on! After that everything works perfectly.
I have somewhat of an IT background, however this issue just baffles me. I've tried searching the internet, but I've not been able to find anyone with even similar problems.
Any comments, questions, help, etc are VERY appreciated. Thanks!
Seemingly randomly I will see that my network icon is now showing limited connectivity (even though my usb adapter is still flashing send/rec and my cable modem still has the PC light on ... however the cable modem is no longer flashing the send/rec leds). When I try to repair the connection it always fails. If I try to disable then enable the connection explorer.exe (process that manages network and sharing center) crashes (not responding and has to be killed and then rerun) even if I try this on a different connection (ie my old built in nic, or my wifi). Also, once this happens I am no longer able to connect to ANY networks (via wifi), windows will not locate ANY available wifi networks to connect to (even though there are over 8 in my area). Another baffling symptom is that if I try to shut down/restart/Log off it sits at the restart/shut down/log off screen and never actually completes the appropriate action. The only fix is to manually shut down my laptop, then turn it back on! After that everything works perfectly.
I have somewhat of an IT background, however this issue just baffles me. I've tried searching the internet, but I've not been able to find anyone with even similar problems.
Any comments, questions, help, etc are VERY appreciated. Thanks!