PC freezes when accessing FIOS internet (wireless connection)
yobailey
Newbie

It has been a year since moving from DSL to FIOS and still have issues with my desktop computer always freezing as soon as it establishes a wireless connection.   Verizon provided us the wireless router (Westell 9100EM) along with the wireless USB adapter (Zyxel G-220 v3).   Currently have a Gateway 700GR with Windows XP and never had any issues with it freezing prior to the installation of FIOS.   Also have 2 laptops that connect to FIOS thru the wireless router without any problems.   The only issue I have is when my desktop boots up and automatically connects to the internet that it freezes entirely - have to perform a cold boot since I am unable to use my keyboard or mouse to access the Task Manager.

I am at my wit''s end since numerous phone calls to Verizon support gets me no where.  They blame it on my computer but have explained to them that there wasn't anything wrong with my computer prior to the FIOS installation.

Need to know where to go from here....any suggestions??

Do I just need to buy a new wireless USB adapter?

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6 Replies
KH-OrnEsh1
Moderator Emeritus

I'm sorry you are having difficulty. An agent with access to your account will reach out to you directly by email, private message in the Forums and/or the billing telephone number on your Verizon account for more information or to help you resolve your issue.

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smith6612
Community Leader
Community Leader

Was any software installed on the PC during the FiOS installation? There isn't anything that should cause a lock-up unless there's a problem with the Wireless Card driver that was triggered by replacing whatever router you had before with a Westell 9100EM.

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yobailey
Newbie

no software was installed....I previously had a Netgear Wireless-N 300 router with no issues.  Verizon representative installed the FIOS router along with providing the Zyxel G-220 v3 wireless adapter.   The problem I have is that I don't know if there are any conflicts with the wireless adapter and my PC.   I don't know if I have the latest drivers for the adapter - unable to connect to the Internet since my PC will freeze prior to that step.   My PC automatically connects to my wireless network and will freeze up my computer shortly thereafter.   I didn't know if uninstalling the wireless adapter and reinstalling would do anything...

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Adam_VZ
Contributor - Level 2

You can certainly try a new USB wireless adapter to see if there is a conflict with the software. You can also try to use the same USB adapter on another computer to see if there is an issue. I would say it is not related to the FiOS service itself, as you have two other computers that connect fine.  You can also try looking at the programs that automatically start when your computer boots, and disabling them one at a time to see if this fixes it.

Thanks
Eric_VZ

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yobailey
Newbie

Eric,

it is unclear to me to know what programs are running upon startup....can you let me know steps to take?  also if I was to try the wireless adapter with my two laptops, what would be the steps to take since each laptop currently has a wireless connection established?

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MrsMark
Enthusiast - Level 3

YoBailey,

I would start by disconnecting from your network (make sure when you reboot the system that it doesn't connect the the network by rebooting in safe mode without networking). Open a few programs to ensure that the system isn't freezing due to other reasons.  If you are able to open a few programs without any issues, try to connect to the network.

If the system freezes once you connect, then it's time to reboot again, in safe mode without networking.  This time uninstall your network adapter driver.  Go to another system and search for the driver to that network adapter for XP. You may have the incorrect driver based on your OS. Once you have the driver, place it on the thumb drive/cd and place it on the XP system and run it.

Hopefully this will resolve your issues.  If your XP system is freezing without attempting to connect to the network, their could be many reasons.  If you can restore your system to a date prior to the issues, you should.  I work on many XP systems and have found that people are updating their systems beause MS sends update availability warnings. What should be explained is that MS updates are only for the newer OS's. Many updates will shutdown an XP or older machines.  I hope this helps.

MrsEd

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