Atheros Bluetooth Wi-fi Missing / Won't Install. Help Please

Dear Geeks,
A while ago I started a thread on here regarding my Atheros Qualcomm wifi adapter suddenly disappearing overnight from my PC. I eventually managed to reinstall it after a lengthy process (which I forgot how I did it).
Now the same thing happened again a few nights ago. When I woke in the morning it had vanished AGAIN.
I ended up downloading and installing Advanced Cleaner then downloaded new drivers for my PC. Big mistake. My PC practically stopped working altogether and I had to refresh my entire Windows 10 system. Not a clean install but a refresh which deleted all third party programs but kept my folders.
After a refresh my PC still didn't have a wifi connection ability. I attempted to download Qualcast Atheros and in my CCleaner it says it's installed but it's not showing in Network Connections (see image #1) or in Device Manager (see uploaded image #2a) . When I try to uninstall it, modify or repair it (from CCleaner / Control Panel) it doesn't complete. A pop up says: "the driver files you wish to remove will not be removed as the coresponding card is not inserted". (see uploaded image #3).
What can this mean? I have never had a card to insert.
There is still no sign of wi-fi on my PC.
My PC is an Intel Core i-5-44600 3.20GHz OEM 64bit x54 Processor and my OS is Win10 Home
This is driving me insane. I have spent 4 days trying to figure out why this happened in the first instance let alone after a clean refresh of Windows 10. I'm totally stuck.
Any help whatsoever to get me out of this rut will be greatly appreciated. Many thanks in advance.

 

Hi plodr,
Many thanks for the reply. To be honest, I wouldn't know where to start re: checking for hardware failure. I wouldn't even know what I would be looking for.
I have thought about a dongle (as a very last resort) but I'd really like to get to the crux of the issue and what is actually causing it. It's driving me mad.
My PC is a desktop, I have only had it 12 months (brand new, store-bought) so I hope it's not a hardware issue. Everything else seems to be running very smoothly.
The problems only started since upgrading from Windows 8.1 to Windows 10 so I'm guessing (and hoping) that maybe there is some kind of bug-issue or perhaps a conflict of sorts.
Having googled the issue countless times, it would seem a lot of people have had Atheros Wifi issues but I have found no solution at all and thought I might stumble upon someone on here who may have had a similar problem.
Once again thanks for the info, much appreciated.

 

What is the make and model number of your PC?

 

Hi there plodr and Eldon. Thanks for the replies.
I should clarify something. What I meant was, I never had (wi-fi) issues while using Windows 8.1 and when I initially upgraded to Windows 10, my wi-fi was also fine - until recently.
However, I did notice that the Atheros stopped working the morning (after the evening) that Windows installed updates last week. And I'm suspecting there might be a glitch in Windows 10's recent updates?
I hear what you're saying plodr and I think I'm inclined to agree with you there.

@ Eldon: My computer is a Packard Bell i-media S2885 desktop. I bought it new one year ago.

 

Try this.
http://www.driverscape.com/manufacturers/packard+bell/laptops-desktops/imedia-s2885/120851
Scroll down to Network & Wireless Drivers.

 

Hi Eldon, many thanks for the info. I went to the webpage and downloaded the Qualcomm Atheros AR5BWB222 Wireless Network Adapter'.
When I try to install it, I get a pop-up which states: "The device may not be present or could have been ejected / unplugged from the system. Aborting the install. Please insert the card and try the installer again". See enclosed screenshot 'a'.
I have no idea why this is happening or what it means - excuse my ignorance here. I've never had to insert a card or anythng on this PC it came as an OEM and i've basically never had to insert any cards or discs in it
Any ideas?

 

Hi plodr,
Thanks once again for the info, much appreciated. I have just rolled back my PC to Windows 8.1 and there is still no wi-fi option. Damn it! I guess you're right in thinking that the chip has died.
I went to the PC store this afternoon where I bought it from and I was amazed that they said I still have two weeks warranty left on it and they can fix / replace it for free.
I think that this is the best option to take now as I have no idea how to resolve this ongoing situation. The downside is, i'll be without a PC for seven days when I take it to be repaired / replaced.
In the meanwhle, I might return to Windows 10 until I decide to take it in.
I might also look to buying a tablet to enable me to browse the internet until I get my PC back.
Now the fun starts deciding on which tablet to purchase, considering I'm kinda clueless and have never used one.
Once again, thanks for the help here.

 

Thanks a lot plodr, I will submit a thread in the smartphone section.
Regarding my computer problems, here's an update:
After my last post, I did a clean reinstall Windows 10. The wi-fi was still nowhere to be seen. I downloaded all the Windows updates and reinstalled a few essential programs that I use before eventually retiring to bed around 5.30 am.
When I switched the PC this morning the Atheros AR5BWB222 Wireless Network Adaptor is showing in Device Manager and my wi-fi was working again, perfectly fine and still is.
The strange thing is, when I open CCleaner it's not there. No mention of it whatsoever. How odd?
I'm considered keeping it, in hope that all is now well but I'm thinking that it would make more sense to take it in for a repair / exchange while the warranty is still valid.

 

Hi plodr,
Going on recent instances when my problems started, my CCleaner used to show Bluetooth Suite and Atheros in the 'Tools' > 'Uninstall' section. Now neither of them are there.
They don't show in 'Tools' > 'Startup' either like your Bluetooth does.