Wireless N Issues, Only One Computer

I had some issues with my computer, never did know what it was that infected me, but now that I'm clean, my network adapter is not working correctly. Here is what I have done and tried:

1. Got the most up to date drivers for both the wireless router and my network adapter.
2. Uninstalled and reinstalled the drivers
3. Tried repairing the connection with various software (Windows Vista, 32 bit), the Cisco Connect, and Network Magic.
4. Used a network key to set up the connection

What happens:
When I do a clean install, I am able to reconnect, but only for an hour or so.
If the sound is on, I start hearing the duh-duh, duh-duh as the adapter starts turning on and off.
If I open the network connections, I see the wireless network blink in and out.
If I open the device manager, the tree blinks on and off. It's like trying to catch a gnat, your mouse isn't quick enough to click on the wireless before it blinks off.
Finally, there is nothing I can do but reboot, uninstall and reinstall the device.

Obviously, this is extremely annoying and time consuming. Do you have any ideas as to what I am missing or where to look for the problem?

 

You don't say so I'm guessing here that your network adapter is a USB model? Is your computer a laptop or desktop?
If it is a USB adapter, have you tried it in a different USB port? Is it possible to try it in another computer (relative's or friends) to assure it's working correctly?

You said you had "issues" that were now "cleaned up". Virus or malware? I have had a few computers I've worked on removing those where unfortunately a reinstall of the operating system was necessary before everything worked correctly.

Sam

 

I have a desktop computer and I am using a usb style adapter. I have had it in various usb ports and always the same.

I have not tried it in another computer to see if it works. We have several that are wireless, but mine is the furthest from the router--reason we went with the router and wireless n adapter.

My issues were some type of malware that tunneled via our router, had a vulnerability that did get exploited. My computer was the only one without Online Armor which blocked it on the other computers. It is one of 2 that is running Vista, but the other Vista machine is down due to a bad power supply right now.

If I have to reinstall the operating system, do I lose everything? Or can I reinstall data from a backup? Or can I reinstall a section of it? Tell me what is involved or point me to a forum that goes through it.

 

I keep trying different things to see if they work, but my computer just seems to get more and more unstable. I believe I must still have some malware left on the machine as I can never seem to get at whatever is blocking my adapter. I have uninstalled any old adapter files. I have uninstalled any helper programs except the windows vista and the one Cisco connection program.

I'd sure like to know more about reinstalling my OS, but I don't know where to start. I do have a "clean" restore point. At least it's a clean as it could get before I reconnected the adapter. (I went through the malware removal procedure.)

Can anybody help me?
Thanks!:cry