Okay, here's the deal, my wireless internet on my PC has stopped working... again... (I'm typing this on a different PC). The internet signal icon no longer appear on the bottom of my screen with the other icons. Basically it appears the USB port apparently no longer recognizes the device even though it still makes the *ding-da-ding* noise whenever I pull it out or put it in.

When I reinstalled Windows XP back in the day I lost the default wireless driver and since have used the program that came with my wireless hub as a supplement (Needless to say this makes my wireless far more suseptable to issues if I had just a generic wireless driver as a part of windows). Since then the internet has done this several times, but each time I've remedied the situation by reinstalling the wireless program (driver) and switching to a different USB port which always prompted the wireless to be rebooted ("new hardware found"). Problem is there is only four USB ports on the back of my PC and I've used the all now and now none of them will recognize the Wirelless Hub as even existing.

Additionally whenever I restart my computer it gives me an error message about "Rundll" (or something to that effect) which appears to be connected to my computer's USB managing capabilities. I've ignored this for the longest time since its been of no consequence, but now it may be part of the problem, who knows.

So I stand at this point.

Should I just reinstall windows and try from a fresh start? Or should I see if I can download something to fix the Rundll error?

Is there a way to resett my USB ports so they recognize the wireless device as new hardware again?

Would downloading a generic wireless device driver remedy the issue? Any recommendations? I had one when I first bought my computer from a friend but neither he nor I have any clue on how to replace it.

Do i just need a new wireless device and/or USB cable?

As any of you who've attempted to assist me before know, I'm quite computer-illiterate and clueless when it comes to trouble-shooting such matters so detailed instructions and links to downloads or places with specific information would be greatly appreciation.

What is the name of the wirelesse hardware you're using?

I googled "Rundll error" and got some links like this:

link

It means windows lacks a program to run an application, maybe the online. Not sure ift that's possible (Perhaps a trojan - best run anti-virus software).

If this doesn't help, then google some more. Most faults you could run in too with PC's, have a troubleshootingquide or tips somewhere on the net.

rundll is a stupidly generic error which isn't really helpful information.

Knowing the hardware make/model lets someone research its history and ask certain questions:

• Has this happened before?
• Why did it happen?
• What was the solution in those cases?

It's quite likely the OP may not be the only one with this hardware to have this problem so the solution may be out there on Google just waiting to be found.  At the same time, knowing the hardware means you can point to the manufacturer's website and say "Did you try this stuff?  What was the result?" 

Other questions to ask are if the USB ports work with other devices.  If they don't work with even a flash drive then that means there might be something else going on here.

Try getting the latest driver from the manufacturers website. If that is the driver you are using i would try a version before. Also you could go into your device management and delete all the USB serial bus controllers there. Once Complete right click on the name of the computer at the top of the tree and scan for hardware changes this will set them back up if it has not done it automatically. This might clear up some of your USB issues.

Just a few Ideas.

I only brought up Rundll as an after thought consideration, as far as I can tell the driver works fine, the usb ports just don't recognize the device anymore for some unknown reason.

The Device and driver are Zyxel by the way and I have downloaded the latest version (amidst the confussion of choices on their website) and it does nothing. Ideally I would like to have a generic driver and not use the one tailor made for my wireless device as its been nothing but trouble, but I doubt that's at the root of this dillemma.

Since that computer doesn't have internet, doing online diagnostics or checking for updates or anything else online is also pretty much out of the question.

Hopefully more light can be shed on the matter as this thread ages.

Where does one find the "Device Manager" on Windows XP?

• Right-click My Computer
• Select "Properties"
• Select the "Hardware" tab
• Click the "Device Manager" button

Hmmm so to clarify the issue a little:

It sounds like you are using a PC that doesn't have built in wireless.
So you are using a Zyxel USB wireless adapter (model name would help like G-202 or something)

You install the latest application/driver from the site for your product but when you plug it into any USB port, it doesn't detect it.
=======================

First I would suggest finding the exact model name, it should be on the adapter somewhere, sometimes the bottom will give an exact model name. This will help us in finding the proper app/driver that you need.

Second I would check the device manager just to see if it shows up in there at all. You can also try uninstalling the USB hubs and then scanning for new hardware as stated above by a previous poster.

Often times these adapters need to be installed in the correct order. Usually you have to install the app/driver first and then plug the USB port in when it asks for it. If you have any previous installations then I would first uninstall anything Zyxel related and start from scratch.

You can use the wired network card (assuming you have one) to get this PC online if you want to try some things directly from the PC online.

Also if you run out of ideas and aren't sure what else to try, you can try running a repair on Windows. It should just reinstall/repair important windows files and keep all your files and apps in place. However backup any important files before just in case ;)

Finally, to use Windows Wireless application to manage your wireless you have to start the 'Wireless Zero Configuration Service'

• Go to Start and Control Panel
• Click on Administrative Tools and Services
• In the Services box scroll down the list of Services (Local) until you find the one labelled Wireless Zero Configuration and double click it.
• In the Wireless Zero Configuration Properties (Local Computer) box change the Startup type to Automatic
• Click on Start and once the service has started click on OK