vista and wireless help

[OpenToSuggestions]

Hi, I have vista but dont use it anymore.
When I frist got it all was fine but after another format my wireless stick (54mbps netgear wg111 v1 , its not that old) would not even be detected?! wtf it worked before the format. Im talking not even the beep beep for new hardware detected. I formatted again and nothing. my brother has the same stick but a newer revision and his did the opposite of mine, his worked when mine didnt and same the other way round, wierd. So I now use XP as my stick works there now.

Any ideas whats up?? i want to use my new and paid for OS
If nothing can be done can anyone recommend me a vista certified USB b/g wireless stick.

thanks

 

[jeffa123]

I could recomend many but what do you use as a hub first? Because it could be a simple thing like a closed MTU or wrong key identifier on your initial software install of the stick. I do not wish to demean all your efforts but sometimes you have to think outside the box.
My idea would be to get a spare Hard disk and do a quick simple install of Vista without any product key and untick the Activate on install. You know, as if it was a trial. Don't plug in your USB stick until the install is complete.
Once the install is complete Vista will ask you how you wish to connect to the internet, Plug in your USB device and you should be prompted for a key in order to access the network. etc. If all goes well your device should still work in Vista or you have a Hub device proble. especially if you connect it to a Hub that is low or non powered.
Without knowing all your setup details no-one will be able to help you except to guess at the most common problem associated with wireles networking. Belkin have a good device or if you have a PCI slot free try Broadcom wireless adapter straight in your motherboard. BT use Broadcom devices and I have used one for the past 2 years without issue. Vista picked it up straight from instalation without having to install any key software as you do with some of the older network adapters.