USB Wireless Network adapter problem

I have purchased twp USB Wireless network adapters, so that I can network
two of my computers together.

They are not branded, i.e. el-cheapo "Made in China".

The problem is that on my main computer - Running Win 98 SE, is that on
start up the computer does not detect that they USB adapter is there, and
therefore does not load up the nessessary Wireless LAN software. The only
work-around I have found is to unplug the adapter while the computer is on
and plug it back in again, though this doesnt work anymore. Either way this
workaround is not convinient.

If its any help I run a multiple user desktop (family PC, a user name for
each person to separate emails etc).

When I plug one into my computer upstairs (Running Win 98 - not SE), no
problem, it recognises the Adapter. (Odd when I thought SE has better USB
support ah well).

I have tried finding up to date drivers for the adapters but as its a cheapo
make there is no website or customer support. I have also tried searching on
Microsofts website for solutions incase its a fault in windows, all
suggestions didn't work. I did find out about the chip that is used in the
adapters, but can't remember what it was, but the manufacturer did not
support it anyway. I will try and find out what chipset it uses and post it
here.

I've got the same problem with a good wireless adapter (Actiontec).
Same deal, unplugging and plugging in used to work but does not work
anymore. My problem started happening the day I installed the latest
updates to windows 2000, and also installed iTunes. So I'm not sure
which one screwed up my system.
However there is (an equally inconvienent) way to fix the problem,
works every time: Go to the Control panel and select Add/Remove
Hardware. Let it look for new hardware, and a giant list of every piece
of hardware in your system will display. Simply find the wireless
adapter, select it and press "Finish" The wireless adapter will work
until you shut down and start your computer again.

I'd like to find out how to permanently fix this sometime....
-js

Ciaran Mooney wrote:
> I have purchased twp USB Wireless network adapters, so that I can
network
> two of my computers together.
>
> They are not branded, i.e. el-cheapo "Made in China".
>
> The problem is that on my main computer - Running Win 98 SE, is that
on
> start up the computer does not detect that they USB adapter is there,
and
> therefore does not load up the nessessary Wireless LAN software. The
only
> work-around I have found is to unplug the adapter while the computer
is on
> and plug it back in again, though this doesnt work anymore. Either
way this
> workaround is not convinient.
>
> If its any help I run a multiple user desktop (family PC, a user name
for
> each person to separate emails etc).
>
> When I plug one into my computer upstairs (Running Win 98 - not SE),
no
> problem, it recognises the Adapter. (Odd when I thought SE has better
USB
> support ah well).
>
> I have tried finding up to date drivers for the adapters but as its a
cheapo
> make there is no website or customer support. I have also tried
searching on
> Microsofts website for solutions incase its a fault in windows, all
> suggestions didn't work. I did find out about the chip that is used
in the
> adapters, but can't remember what it was, but the manufacturer did
not
> support it anyway. I will try and find out what chipset it uses and
post it
> here.