Optional Windows Update causes Vista to freeze

[Guest]

I just bought and instlled a HP-5188-3296 with Atheros AR5006X chipset into
my Vista machine, all seem fine aside from poor signal strength. I ran
Windows updates and found an Optional "Atheros Comm. Inc. - Networking - HP
802.11a/b/g Wireless Network Adapter" update. I installed it, and the signal
strength became full. However, couple minutes after that, Vista freezes.
Mouse and keyboard are not responding at all.

I'm so confused with this, since the update is seems to be targeted at my
card, but just doesn't work. Any ideas?

 

[David Dickinson]

I just bought and instlled a HP-5188-3296 with Atheros AR5006X chipset into
my Vista machine, all seem fine aside from poor signal strength. I ran
Windows updates and found an Optional "Atheros Comm. Inc. - Networking -
HP
802.11a/b/g Wireless Network Adapter" update. I installed it, and the
signal
strength became full. However, couple minutes after that, Vista freezes.
Mouse and keyboard are not responding at all.

I'm not experienced with that card, but I can tell you about some of my
general experience with drivers offered through Windows Update:

Sometimes you will have problems with Windows Update drivers. They might
crash, they might simply not work, or they might keep showing up in Windows
Update. I never use driver updates from Windows Update. If a device is
working but an update is available, I will check with the manufacturer to
see if it's necessary, e.g., for security purposes or to fix bugs that
prevent certain functionality. However, in lieu of those criteria, I won't
update.

However, /especially/ regarding networking devices, check with the
manufacturer for their new driver.

Regarding the signal strength, I would look in Device Manager at the card's
settings with the two different drivers. I'm willing to bet that some
default settings are different and you might be able to change things there.
But for the HP-5188, check with HP for a driver update -- NOT Microsoft --
and read the release notes.