Genn 0 #1 March 2, 2008 My roommate got a new desktop computer with Vista. He has tried multiple wireless cards with no success. In fact, he "fried" the computer at one point and had to send it back under warranty. I told him to put XP on it....but that's a no go. Anyway, does anybody know of a wireless card that is compatible with Vista? Any help is appreciated! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
karenmeal 0 #2 March 2, 2008 Hmm.. I've got Vista and a little sticker on my computer says atheros wireless. Maybe that is my wireless card? "Life is a temporary victory over the causes which induce death." - Sylvester Graham Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gawain 0 #3 March 2, 2008 I may be wrong, but I believe that even in Vista, you have to load the appropriate driver for the wireless card. What kind of computer is it anyway? It seems that if the computer got physically fried, that's not an issue of software.So I try and I scream and I beg and I sigh Just to prove I'm alive, and it's alright 'Cause tonight there's a way I'll make light of my treacherous life Make light! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
eeneR 3 #4 March 2, 2008 it is very possible the PCI slot he was using was bad. Software will not fry hardware. Is he using a compatible card type for the system? you could always ask the manufacture what they recommend. With out knowing which type it is, and full details of the motherboard it is hard to say.She is not a "Dumb Blonde" - She is a "Light-Haired Detour Off The Information Superhighway." eeneR TF#72, FB#4130, Incauto Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Genn 0 #5 March 2, 2008 He purchased a new Gateway Desktop. The cards he purchased ( I think he tried 2) said Vista compatible(software). The damage to the computer occurred when he tried to install one of the cards into the PCI slot with the power on.- so I'm told. The manufaturer had the computer for a month and he received it today- with no wireless card and /or software installed. I'll ask him what they said. He's now plotting ways to drill holes in the brand new house! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shepp 0 #6 March 3, 2008 I know a couple of manufacturers make USB wireless adapters that are about the size of a thumb drive. When plugged into the back of the machine, nobody would ever know it was there. Also a lot less effort to install, and much more 'returnable' if it doesn't work. BTW, PCI cards are supposedly hot-swappable - that shouldn't have caused any damage if he was careful about not touching other components. I guess what I am saying is, maybe that was just a dud of a machine to start with. Experience is a hard teacher because she gives the test first, the lesson afterward. Accidents don't just happen. They must be carelessly planned. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
eeneR 3 #7 March 3, 2008 Quote BTW, PCI cards are supposedly hot-swappable - that shouldn't have caused any damage if he was careful about not touching other components. I guess what I am saying is, maybe that was just a dud of a machine to start with. No they are not. Most PC's do not have hot swappable PCI.She is not a "Dumb Blonde" - She is a "Light-Haired Detour Off The Information Superhighway." eeneR TF#72, FB#4130, Incauto Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Icon134 0 #8 March 3, 2008 I have an asus desktop motherboard with a wireless adapter built in and I'm using Vista and have had absolutely no problems using the wifi card. I don't know the manufacturer. I agree with what others have said it sounds as if your friend is having problems above and beyond simple compatiblity issues.Livin' on the Edge... sleeping with my rigger's wife... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
popsjumper 2 #9 March 3, 2008 He got Vista? AND a Gateway? My reality and yours are quite different. I think we're all Bozos on this bus. Falcon5232, SCS8170, SCSA353, POPS9398, DS239 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BerryBoy 0 #10 March 3, 2008 Don't even get me started on Vista. I can tell you this though...first quarter of this year, M$ will be releasing Service Pack 1 for Vista. They CLAIM that there will be a lot of fixes with driver incompatibility issues (among a slew of others) that may help resolve your problem. It's already out in beta, but hold your horses for a month or two and you'll want to install it....hey, it's not like it could get any worse! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
littleskycrab 0 #11 March 3, 2008 i have vista on my laptop and also use a wireless usb connection.... not one single issue. that being said... i can not wait for that service pack!!!! driver compatibility issues on other stuff is driving me MAAADDDDDD!Next time a sunrise steals your breath or a meadow of flowers leaves you speechless, remain that way. Say nothing and listen as heaven whispers, "Do you like it? I did it just for you." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NWFlyer 2 #12 March 3, 2008 Looks like later this month for general availability on SP1: http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2192557,00.asp I think I'm one of the few people (knock wood) who've had relatively hassle-free Vista experiences. I even have my ancient HP LaserJet 4L happily working (with a parallel-to-USB converter) with Vista!"There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ryoder 1,590 #13 March 3, 2008 Quote He got Vista? AND a Gateway? Hey! It's not nice to laugh and point at people."There are only three things of value: younger women, faster airplanes, and bigger crocodiles" - Arthur Jones. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BillyVance 34 #14 March 3, 2008 Quote Quote He got Vista? AND a Gateway? Hey! It's not nice to laugh and point at people. If you're a friend, you're supposed to! "Mediocre people don't like high achievers, and high achievers don't like mediocre people." - SIX TIME National Champion coach Nick Saban Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Icon134 0 #15 March 3, 2008 Quote Looks like later this month for general availability on SP1: My Vista System downloaded what I think I recall being Vista SP1 last week sometime. and I too have been having relatively little trouble with my Vista machine (Knocks on wood as well). In fact filesharing between Vista, XP, and Ubuntu Linux was much easier then it ever was with my XP machines... (in fact filesharing is still sometimes a pain in the butt on my XP laptop) ScottLivin' on the Edge... sleeping with my rigger's wife... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Icon134 0 #16 March 4, 2008 It appears that I'm one of the people that got the accidental release http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2268336,00.aspLivin' on the Edge... sleeping with my rigger's wife... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Amazon 7 #17 March 4, 2008 Quote I think I'm one of the few people (knock wood) who've had relatively hassle-free Vista experiences. I even have my ancient HP LaserJet 4L happily working (with a parallel-to-USB converter) with Vista! I never seen to have ANY issues with any of the OS that I have used from MS.... I guess I am wierd.. I actually READ the damn documentation and act accordingly Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
eeneR 3 #18 March 4, 2008 How dare you! Ok I actually rarely have issues with MS. Sometimes it is a pain, but I can make it work. She is not a "Dumb Blonde" - She is a "Light-Haired Detour Off The Information Superhighway." eeneR TF#72, FB#4130, Incauto Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Amazon 7 #19 March 4, 2008 Hell they hired me as a tech lead in Product Service and Support...but that was based on my ability of being able to read and find solutions when I was there. You would be amazed at what you can find in the Knowledge Base and on Technet.It also helps to have good antivirus installed and anti-spyware... and stay the hell away from the script kiddies sites and of course Porno sites.... both of those are just asking for trouble and always have. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Icon134 0 #20 March 4, 2008 Quote Ok I actually rarely have issues with MS. Sometimes it is a pain, but I can make it work. I don't generally have problems with MS products that I didn't cause in the first place. well except for networking... and bluetooth but that's only because MS's hasn't supported bluetooth in the past.Livin' on the Edge... sleeping with my rigger's wife... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
eeneR 3 #21 March 4, 2008 It is amazing how far RTFM will actually get you I just picked up a laptop with Vista on it. The only problem I had is they moved things around a little bit. Same thing with Office 2007. Figured out where things were and since then all has been good. Had it up and on my wireless network in a matter or minutes, once I found where they hid the run command to issue ipconfig to get the damn mac addy on my wireless cardGetting used to the changes, haven't had any major problems yet. She is not a "Dumb Blonde" - She is a "Light-Haired Detour Off The Information Superhighway." eeneR TF#72, FB#4130, Incauto Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Amazon 7 #22 March 4, 2008 I have been running Longhorn..AKA Vista AKA Windows Server 2008 for like 7 years now....and doing thru all the DEV cycles on it.....its just not that hard and with a very few tweaks is far more stable than anything that has come before. 6 years at MS was enough for me their whole network is run on beta software(dogfooding) which makes times interesting when a new release of code does not do the same behavior on the corporate network that it did in the dev lab environment. oh.... When I bought my Dell 1721..... it came with Vista Home Premium....I replaced it with Vista Enterprise.. and did not have even the slightest hiccup when getting rid of the Dell specific OEM version.. all the drivers went in flawlessly... a few quick tweaks to make it act like I want it( remove the nanny messages etc) and I was on my home 11g network.. and on the network at work.. with zero problems...Heck I can even log into the internet thru 4 different neighbors wireless.. and I live out int the boonies where the lot sizes average 5 acres plus.( I have shown several of them how to set up a WEP key and encrypt.....just being a good neighbor) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
