@bradthetechnut - Actually the OP didn't mention the PC model in the OP. The thread title was edited to include the model number, after it was finally posted, 3 days later. (Note the green "edit" in the OP.)
And the thread was subsequently moved from the Inspiron Desktop forum to the Optiplex Desktop forum...
You did state Optiplex 3020 Win10 in your 1st post. What RoHe is getting at is what form factor/size is your Optiplex. We usually let that go though if it doesn't seem relevant. As for Win10, are you on 21H1?
Have you tried a different WiFi adapter? I have a USB WiFi dongle that would do boot loop (constantly disconnect and reconnect). Once I had Win10 up to 1809 or something like that, it quit boot looping. Meanwhile, when it did do that, I got a different adapter and it worked.
If the problem persists, we strongly recommend reinstalling the operating system on a new drive . Then restore your data from a backup.
This is another reason to buy an OEM DVD because its read only and cannot be infected. You should buy this DVD now because they are not making anymore and the Refirbisher program was cancelled. Once they are gone they will NEVER be available again.
I originally had a Belkin Wireless G Plus Mimo dongle, which had worked faultlessly for as long as I have had the computer. When it suddenly stopped I rushed out and bought a TP-Link T4U which installed but had to be re-installed each time I booted up. A friend gave me his spare Realtec Nano 11 adapter which installed the driver but failed to find the adapter, so I then bought a Netgear AC 600 which again installed but failed to find the adapter. I then swapped the original TP adapter for another one (in case there was a problem with the adapter itself), but it made no difference, so I have now swapped it for a TP T2U which, at least does find the adapter, even though I still have to re-install the software each time in order for the adapter to work. As you can see, I have been rather busy! TP themselves have tried to be helpful (unfortunately they are in the Far East which means that communication is very slow because of the huge time difference, but they have today directed me to another version of the software which I will try as soon as I re-boot the machine.
Thanks for the info. It makes me think speedstep is right about the rootkit malware with the way no WiFi adapter is working.
A couple more troubleshooting steps which won't hurt to try. By any chance did you try uninstalling previous drivers? Also, did you try the adapter without any driver? Win10 has USB WiFi dongle driver built in.
This all sounds very heavy to me. I think I would rather stick to my daily re-install routine than go through all you suggest, interesting though it is.
Yes, I've tried all that I'm afraid. I'm still in communication with TP-Link though I think I might just finish up doing a daily re-install, sad though the solution it is.
Oh no, not another radical suggestion, interesting though it might be. Everything else seems to be working fine, so, as I have said other helpful advisors, I think I will stick to my daily re-install routine. At least I know that it is going to get me online each time, with relatively little hassle.
Oh no, not another radical suggestion, interesting though it might be. Everything else seems to be working fine, so, as I have said other helpful advisors, I think I will stick to my daily re-install routine. At least I know that it is going to get me online each time, with relatively little hassle.
If that's referring to replacing the motherboard battery, it's a relatively easy process and the instructions are in the Service Manual. Maybe you have a geeky friend who can help you do it.
If you prefer to uninstall/reinstall WiFi every day, it's your PC and your time...
XPS_Man
5 Practitioner
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2.4K Posts
0
August 13th, 2021 07:00
Download a copy of latest driver.
WIPE Out the driver from Device manager. reboot
Windows will install stock drivers > test
If no go Install the driver you have downloaded.
RoHe
10 Elder
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45.2K Posts
0
August 13th, 2021 11:00
@janjalovy -Always include exact PC model and version of Windows in your posts.
janjalovy
1 Rookie
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10 Posts
0
August 15th, 2021 10:00
Inspiron i5 Windows10
RoHe
10 Elder
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45.2K Posts
0
August 15th, 2021 12:00
Sorry but that's not a Dell PC model number.
If you don't know it, go to the Support site and enter your Service Tag. (Don't post it here.) The site will tell you the exact model number...
janjalovy
1 Rookie
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10 Posts
0
August 16th, 2021 04:00
Sorry, that should have been a Dell Optiplex 3020, Windows 10. Please let me know if you need any further info
RoHe
10 Elder
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45.2K Posts
0
August 16th, 2021 17:00
@bradthetechnut - Actually the OP didn't mention the PC model in the OP. The thread title was edited to include the model number, after it was finally posted, 3 days later. (Note the green "edit" in the OP.)
And the thread was subsequently moved from the Inspiron Desktop forum to the Optiplex Desktop forum...
bradthetechnut
7 Technologist
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9.4K Posts
0
August 16th, 2021 17:00
You did state Optiplex 3020 Win10 in your 1st post. What RoHe is getting at is what form factor/size is your Optiplex. We usually let that go though if it doesn't seem relevant. As for Win10, are you on 21H1?
Have you tried a different WiFi adapter? I have a USB WiFi dongle that would do boot loop (constantly disconnect and reconnect). Once I had Win10 up to 1809 or something like that, it quit boot looping. Meanwhile, when it did do that, I got a different adapter and it worked.
Are you using a WiFi card or USB dongle?
speedstep
9 Legend
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47K Posts
0
August 16th, 2021 17:00
The machine is infected with rootkit WINSOCK Malware.
3020 NIC drivers are native to the windows installation media.
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/security/threat-protection/intelligence/rootkits-malware
If the problem persists, we strongly recommend reinstalling the operating system on a new drive . Then restore your data from a backup.
This is another reason to buy an OEM DVD because its read only and cannot be infected. You should buy this DVD now because they are not making anymore and the Refirbisher program was cancelled. Once they are gone they will NEVER be available again.
https://www.newegg.com/microsoft-windows-10-pro-64-bit-reinstall-recovery-disc-only-no-license-key-included/p/N82E16832350238
New drive is not expensive.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07H2RR55Q/
Data can be recovered from the old drive with a DOCK.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07D6L5CJF
janjalovy
1 Rookie
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10 Posts
0
August 17th, 2021 05:00
I originally had a Belkin Wireless G Plus Mimo dongle, which had worked faultlessly for as long as I have had the computer. When it suddenly stopped I rushed out and bought a TP-Link T4U which installed but had to be re-installed each time I booted up. A friend gave me his spare Realtec Nano 11 adapter which installed the driver but failed to find the adapter, so I then bought a Netgear AC 600 which again installed but failed to find the adapter. I then swapped the original TP adapter for another one (in case there was a problem with the adapter itself), but it made no difference, so I have now swapped it for a TP T2U which, at least does find the adapter, even though I still have to re-install the software each time in order for the adapter to work. As you can see, I have been rather busy! TP themselves have tried to be helpful (unfortunately they are in the Far East which means that communication is very slow because of the huge time difference, but they have today directed me to another version of the software which I will try as soon as I re-boot the machine.
As for the Windows version, I am on 21H1
RoHe
10 Elder
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45.2K Posts
0
August 17th, 2021 10:00
@janjalovy - When was last time you replaced the motherboard battery?
CR2032 3-volt lithium coin cell, ~$2.00.
bradthetechnut
7 Technologist
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9.4K Posts
0
August 17th, 2021 10:00
Thanks for the info. It makes me think speedstep is right about the rootkit malware with the way no WiFi adapter is working.
A couple more troubleshooting steps which won't hurt to try. By any chance did you try uninstalling previous drivers? Also, did you try the adapter without any driver? Win10 has USB WiFi dongle driver built in.
janjalovy
1 Rookie
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10 Posts
0
August 19th, 2021 08:00
This all sounds very heavy to me. I think I would rather stick to my daily re-install routine than go through all you suggest, interesting though it is.
janjalovy
1 Rookie
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10 Posts
0
August 19th, 2021 09:00
Yes, I've tried all that I'm afraid. I'm still in communication with TP-Link though I think I might just finish up doing a daily re-install, sad though the solution it is.
janjalovy
1 Rookie
•
10 Posts
0
August 19th, 2021 09:00
Oh no, not another radical suggestion, interesting though it might be. Everything else seems to be working fine, so, as I have said other helpful advisors, I think I will stick to my daily re-install routine. At least I know that it is going to get me online each time, with relatively little hassle.
RoHe
10 Elder
•
45.2K Posts
0
August 19th, 2021 11:00
If that's referring to replacing the motherboard battery, it's a relatively easy process and the instructions are in the Service Manual. Maybe you have a geeky friend who can help you do it.
If you prefer to uninstall/reinstall WiFi every day, it's your PC and your time...