My XP Home Edition PC has worked fine for over a year, but two days ago it
was running fine when it got the typical notification of automatic Windows
Updates needing to be installed. I let them install and the PC rebooted, but
once it came back up it would no longer connect to my wireless network. The
wireless card looks fine, and it can SEE the wireless network; it just won't
connect to it. I attempted System Restore to a couple of different dates,
but it failed each time. I also tried to use Add/Remove programs to remove
the updates, but each of the updates says it cannot be removed! Since the
updates were acting similar to a virus, I scanned for viruses, but there was
nothing.

Here are the details of my computer and IE:

O/S: 5.1 (Build 2600.xpsp.080413-2111: Service Pack 3)
Br: 7.0.5730.11

knight_tour wrote:

> My XP Home Edition PC has worked fine for over a year, but two days ago it
> was running fine when it got the typical notification of automatic Windows
> Updates needing to be installed. I let them install and the PC rebooted,
> but
> once it came back up it would no longer connect to my wireless network.
> The wireless card looks fine, and it can SEE the wireless network; it just
> won't
> connect to it. I attempted System Restore to a couple of different dates,
> but it failed each time. I also tried to use Add/Remove programs to
> remove
> the updates, but each of the updates says it cannot be removed! Since the
> updates were acting similar to a virus, I scanned for viruses, but there
> was nothing.
>
> Here are the details of my computer and IE:
>
> O/S: 5.1 (Build 2600.xpsp.080413-2111: Service Pack 3)
> Br: 7.0.5730.11

It sounds like you may have inadvertently installed the drivers for your
wireless card from Windows Update. Installing drivers from WU is not a good
idea. First, reinstall your drivers for the wireless network adapter. Get
them from either the card mftr.'s website (if a standalone card) or the
OEM's website if integrated as in a laptop (Dell, HP, etc.).

Then change your Windows Update settings from Automatic to "download updates
and let me know when they're ready". Use the Custom option so you can see
the updates before installing them and don't install driver updates.

Malke
--
MS-MVP
Elephant Boy Computers - Don't Panic!
FAQ - http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/#FAQ

Device Manager may not show any devices and Network Connections may not show
any network connections after you install Windows XP Service Pack 3
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/953979

A Windows XP SP3-based computer loses wireless connectivity when it resumes
from standby or from hibernation, or you receive an error message when you
try to put the computer in standby or in hibernation:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/951447

Windows XP SP3-based client computers cannot access the network when some
DHCP information is unavailable
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/953761

[[ How to remove Windows XP Service Pack 3 from your computer:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950249 ]]

Free unlimited installation and compatibility support is available for
Windows XP, but only for Service Pack 3 (SP3), until 14 Apr-09. Chat and
e-mail support is available only in the United States and Canada. Go to
http://support.microsoft.com/oas/def...spx?gprid=1173 | select "Windows
XP" then select "Windows XP Service Pack 3"
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Desktop Experience - since 2002
AumHa VSOP & Admin http://aumha.net
DTS-L http://dts-l.net/

knight_tour wrote:
> My XP Home Edition PC has worked fine for over a year, but two days ago it
> was running fine when it got the typical notification of automatic Windows
> Updates needing to be installed. I let them install and the PC rebooted,
> but once it came back up it would no longer connect to my wireless
> network.
> The wireless card looks fine, and it can SEE the wireless network; it just
> won't connect to it. I attempted System Restore to a couple of different
> dates, but it failed each time. I also tried to use Add/Remove programs
> to
> remove the updates, but each of the updates says it cannot be removed!
> Since the updates were acting similar to a virus, I scanned for viruses,
> but there was nothing.
>
> Here are the details of my computer and IE:
>
> O/S: 5.1 (Build 2600.xpsp.080413-2111: Service Pack 3)
> Br: 7.0.5730.11