Linksys wireless adapter causes reboot

TangoFoxtrot · 10-22-2008, 10:13 PM

Strange problem involves two desktops, both with Linksys internal wireless adapters and running Xp/SP2. Both are Dell machines and have been running in my wireless network for three+ yrs. Machine 1 had adapter disabled for last six months (so it wasn't on the network) Machine 2 had been working fine until three days ago. I put it to sleep that nite and when I rebooted in the morning I got the blue screen of death (of course it disapeared before I could read it).

Data: If I uninstall the Linksys driver (in safe mode) and remove the adapter, the system comes up normally and works fine. If I reinstall the adapter and boot up, the system reboots and will only come up in safe mode. If I pause during the login sequence, the reboot hapens there. If I'm quick to login, I get the normal desktop and then an error popup that the Linksys s/w has been involved in a protection violation and then reboot. The error mini dump doesn't mean much to me. There are lots of source DCOM errors in the system log.

Thinking I might have a fried adapter, I decided to swap the one in machine 1. But first, I decided to troubleshoot the problem on the internet. So, I enabled the adapter on machine 1 to get at the net and it too began to produce the same symptoms as machine 2 - never sucessfully becoming enabled. I have swapped the adapters between the two machines without changing anything. It seems unlikely to me that both adapters went belly-up at the same time. For me, its a real head scratcher. With its sudden onset, it seems like it almost has to be a virus or malware, though none of my tools report anything (AVG8.0,SSD,Adaware ...).

I should also mention that there are two other machines on my network. One running 98SE and hardwired to the network and a laptop running XP/SP2 that is wireless (but not with a Linksys adapter). Neither machine has any problems.

Any help would really be appreciated.

**JamesO** · 10-23-2008, 04:55 AM

Shooting from the hip here.

Do these machine by any chance have iTunes installed on them? If so, what version?

JamesO

TangoFoxtrot · 10-23-2008, 02:16 PM

No iTunes on machine1. Machine 2, Idon't think so. Doesn't show up in the add/remove programs control, nor in the main menu. However, there are a number of iTune files in the Document and Setting subtree. But none seem to be executables. Mostly prefs and similar data files.

By the way, thanks much for responding.

**JamesO** · 10-23-2008, 03:42 PM

Reason I asked about iTunes is iTunes 8 release caused a lot of PC related issues.

I would possibly start the machine in safe mode and attempt to roll the driver back for the Linksys wireless card and see what happens.

Also try MSCONFIG and disable anything that looks like a likely culprit and see what happens on a reboot.

JamesO

Ugrashrath · 10-23-2008, 04:26 PM

It is possible for both adapters to go out at the same time, chances are slim, but it is possible. If you can, find a separate wireless adapter to try out in each computer. I think a new cheap wireless adapter can run you $15-30. It might be both wireless cards, but it could also be the computers themselves with the problem.

TangoFoxtrot · 10-24-2008, 11:51 AM

Thanks for the input guys. I'll try your safemode suggestion, but since both machines are acting up, I'll also look for something they have in common.

Also, trying a different router is a good idea too.

Again, thanks.

10-22-2008, 10:13 PM	#1 (permalink)
TangoFoxtrot Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 13 OS: XP sp2	Linksys wireless adapter causes reboot Strange problem involves two desktops, both with Linksys internal wireless adapters and running Xp/SP2. Both are Dell machines and have been running in my wireless network for three+ yrs. Machine 1 had adapter disabled for last six months (so it wasn't on the network) Machine 2 had been working fine until three days ago. I put it to sleep that nite and when I rebooted in the morning I got the blue screen of death (of course it disapeared before I could read it). Data: If I uninstall the Linksys driver (in safe mode) and remove the adapter, the system comes up normally and works fine. If I reinstall the adapter and boot up, the system reboots and will only come up in safe mode. If I pause during the login sequence, the reboot hapens there. If I'm quick to login, I get the normal desktop and then an error popup that the Linksys s/w has been involved in a protection violation and then reboot. The error mini dump doesn't mean much to me. There are lots of source DCOM errors in the system log. Thinking I might have a fried adapter, I decided to swap the one in machine 1. But first, I decided to troubleshoot the problem on the internet. So, I enabled the adapter on machine 1 to get at the net and it too began to produce the same symptoms as machine 2 - never sucessfully becoming enabled. I have swapped the adapters between the two machines without changing anything. It seems unlikely to me that both adapters went belly-up at the same time. For me, its a real head scratcher. With its sudden onset, it seems like it almost has to be a virus or malware, though none of my tools report anything (AVG8.0,SSD,Adaware ...). I should also mention that there are two other machines on my network. One running 98SE and hardwired to the network and a laptop running XP/SP2 that is wireless (but not with a Linksys adapter). Neither machine has any problems. Any help would really be appreciated.

10-23-2008, 04:55 AM	#2 (permalink)
JamesO Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Fairfax, VA USA Posts: 2,289 OS: 98SE, W2k Pro, XP Pro	Re: Linksys wireless adapter causes reboot Shooting from the hip here. Do these machine by any chance have iTunes installed on them? If so, what version? JamesO

10-23-2008, 02:16 PM	#3 (permalink)
TangoFoxtrot Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 13 OS: XP sp2	Re: Linksys wireless adapter causes reboot No iTunes on machine1. Machine 2, Idon't think so. Doesn't show up in the add/remove programs control, nor in the main menu. However, there are a number of iTune files in the Document and Setting subtree. But none seem to be executables. Mostly prefs and similar data files. By the way, thanks much for responding.

10-23-2008, 03:42 PM	#4 (permalink)
JamesO Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Fairfax, VA USA Posts: 2,289 OS: 98SE, W2k Pro, XP Pro	Re: Linksys wireless adapter causes reboot Reason I asked about iTunes is iTunes 8 release caused a lot of PC related issues. I would possibly start the machine in safe mode and attempt to roll the driver back for the Linksys wireless card and see what happens. Also try MSCONFIG and disable anything that looks like a likely culprit and see what happens on a reboot. JamesO

10-23-2008, 04:26 PM	#5 (permalink)
Ugrashrath Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Texas Posts: 17 OS: XP-Pro SP 3. Arch Linux, Vista Home Premium	Re: Linksys wireless adapter causes reboot It is possible for both adapters to go out at the same time, chances are slim, but it is possible. If you can, find a separate wireless adapter to try out in each computer. I think a new cheap wireless adapter can run you $15-30. It might be both wireless cards, but it could also be the computers themselves with the problem. __________________ Draco dormiens nunquam titillandus

10-24-2008, 11:51 AM	#6 (permalink)
TangoFoxtrot Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 13 OS: XP sp2	Re: Linksys wireless adapter causes reboot Thanks for the input guys. I'll try your safemode suggestion, but since both machines are acting up, I'll also look for something they have in common. Also, trying a different router is a good idea too. Again, thanks.