Vista Home 64 bit Windows Defender Wireless Problems

[razzle dazzle]

Has anyone else experienced issues with the recent Windows Defender
updates on 12/11/08? After this update was installed, my wireless
connection was VERY unstable. It was Disconnecting every 2 or 3
minutes.

I went into services and stopped Windows Defender, changed it to
manual and rebooted, and now everything works like a champ!


The next day, out of curiosity, I started the service again, changed
it to Automatic and rebooted and had same issue disconnecting every
few minutes. Had to change it back and it's working again.


After a google search it doesn't seem that anyone else has posted
issues with this. Just wondering if it's just me.


Thanks~

 

[Bill Sanderson]

My guess is that rather than a specific conflict giving rise to these
symptoms, the symptoms are ocurring because Windows Defender is using
excessive amounts of CPU for some reason, and thus the wireless is starved
for cpu cycles, and can't stay connected.

This is purely a guess, however.

I'd recommend going to the security portal--
www.microsoft.com/security/portal

and downloading via the links in the lower right area, the 32-bit
definitions for Windows Defender. Start Windows Defnder. Start task
manager, so you can see CPU usage graphically (start, run, taskmgr <enter>)
Run the downloaded definition update.

I am hoping that after the downloaded definitions are applied, the cpu usage
will settle down, and you will find that your wireless connection reverts to
its usual reliability.

Another question might be whether you have other antivirus or antispyware
software giving real-time protection on your system? Having several apps
doing this same task can also give rise to the high cpu usage scenario.