Wireless driver Dropped on Shutdown

Using Netgear WPN111 with winxp pro, direct signal with adapter mounted in a dish.
Worked fine for 10 months, but now when I shut down and restart, the network driver in Device Manager is yellowed and can't reinstall without Windows shoving it's oar in and reinstalling it as a USB hub instead of as a network adapter.
Tried through "Add new programs" same result, only way I can get back to normal is to uninstall proram, shut down, unplug the computer for 15 minutes, then it reinstalls properly but as soon as I close down I'm back with the same problem.
Any ideas?

 

Well, it might be that time of the year that a new adapter is needed.

 

I forgot to mention I've tried a Linksys an Airlink and the present one, a Netgear, got to be something in the computer.

 

They all do the same thing! Tried a driver update?

 

Yes I have