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bachippy · Joined: 28 May 2006 Posts: 31 Location: Kent

I have an HP Pavilion ZT1260 laptop which I'm very happy with.

However when I try to connect to my home internet connection through my D-Link DI524 router and to the uni connection with my D-Link DWL-G630 wireless card (bought Jan '08 ) my laptop repeatedly crashes. Sometimes as soon as I insert the card and other times I can be happily online when it suddenly goes.
I get a blue screen with lots of white writing that lasts a split second before the machine shuts down and restarts so I cannot read it.

I have tried contacting D-link and have uninstalled and reinstalled with updated drivers from their site (as instructed by them) and all that has done is make the situation worse. Now it crashes as soon as the card is inserted!

I have tried another card I have (Microsoft MN -520, 802.11b) and that works fine - no crashes to date.
Only problem is that I cannot use that card at uni (where I need it most) as it only has WEP and I need WPA PSK to access the uni network. As my home router is set to WPA PSK too if I use the laptop with the microsoft card I have to connect to any local unsecure connections. (only done to test card and establish not a laptop problem but card problem)

Any ideas? - apart from bin it and buy another!
If I have to buy another and brands to go for?

I thought getting the same brand router and card would make life simple!

thescruff · Moderator Joined: 03 May 2003 Posts: 4605 Location: Bath

Nick will be along some when soon.

Have you tried booting up with the card already in.

I prefer the 2.4 Ghz wireless G router and card on my HP, Pavilion dv1000, and its much better than the built in card

bachippy · Joined: 28 May 2006 Posts: 31 Location: Kent

Hi,

Yes tried having card in when switched on but didn't like that either.

Cheers.

NickAskew · Moderator Joined: 03 Nov 2006 Posts: 112 Location: Thirsk

Hi,

BSOD (Blue Screen Of Death) is most commonly caused by manfunctioning/incorrect version/multiple conflicting drivers running for a particular device.

In your case it appears to be dodgey drivers for that particular model of card as a quick google shows lots of other people having BSOD's and identifying that card as the source

http://discuss.extremetech.com/forums/thread/761402002.aspx
http://www.broadbandreports.com/forum/remark,12719216
http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/forum-replies-archive.cfm/518837.html
...

Regards

Nick

bachippy · Joined: 28 May 2006 Posts: 31 Location: Kent

Thanks for that.

Guess I'm best off just buying an alternative card then.

Any advice on brands/models to either avoid or particularly go for?

Cheers

NickAskew · Moderator Joined: 03 Nov 2006 Posts: 112 Location: Thirsk

I would think a USB wireless product would be a little bit more stable than a PCMCIA or similar internal wifi solution for a laptop so there is quite a list to choose from at scan computers, several that have been rated by purchasers - from personal experience Scan are very good at replacing incompatible products should you still find one of these causes you grief --> http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Products.ASP?CatID=59&FilterCategories=90&Thumbnails=yes

bachippy · Joined: 28 May 2006 Posts: 31 Location: Kent

Ok cheers I'll have a look.
Must admit to favouring the slot in cards to the USB ones though as they are neater and don't take up a USB port unnecessarily - at least that's why I originally went for the card. Also the USB ports are at the back rather than the side which is easier to use.

Thanks for the link too. Bizarrely the card I have is well rated on that site! Going to see if I can get a refund from PC World, even though 5mths old, under the Sale of Goods Act as not fit for purpose 'cos it crashes my machine!

NickAskew · Moderator Joined: 03 Nov 2006 Posts: 112 Location: Thirsk

The complainants of that card did say it was due to drivers, one of the links I gave above explained how one person had uninstalled duplicate drivers and then installed new versions and it worked fine for them afterwards.. good luck either way!

bachippy · Joined: 28 May 2006 Posts: 31 Location: Kent

Yes, I did read the links you sent but where they were talking about changing drivers and going into explorer and playing around with files it got too technical for me - sod's law I'd kill the laptop!

I'm using the latest drivers, there are no other versions according to D-Link so clearly I'll have to try another make. As said previously I've had no problem with the Microsoft card I have, however it is no good for the WPA PSK access I need at uni and home. So at least I know others work without crashing the laptop.

Thanks for the help.