Re: Windows 7 32 Bit Wifi Driver
Stephanie Dejoode
I recently installed a Gigabyte PCIe WiFi and Bluetooth card into my PC. It's based on the Intel AC 8260. Shortly after I installed and configured the new card the Intel Driver Update Utility told me there was updated software, and I downloaded and installed it. The new version was PROSet Wireless Software to 19.1.0.
I almost immediately started seeing my Windows 10 system (anniversary edition) crash (Blue Screen) on a regular basis - like every few minutes, and on every occasion the module causing the crash was the Intel WiFi driver (netwtw04.sys V19.1.0.4 from 7/24/16). The stop code reported in the blue screen data is ATTEMPTED_WRITE_TO_READONLY_MEMORY. I have attached a photo of the blue screen.
I have since manually removed the newer driver and reverted back to an older version (18.50.4.2 built 6/5/2016) which so far (it's been a few hours now) seems to be stable. I am posting this in the hope that Intel can do something about it, and incase others run into the same issue.
I don't believe that Gigabyte support are going to be able to help with this because I am pretty sure that they just ship the original Intel installer for the PROSet Wireless software and driver. I'm a software developer, and one of the first things I did when I encountered the problem was to look at the properties of the netwtw04.sys driver. I found that it was version V19.1.0.4, was built on 7/24/16, and was digitally signed by Intel. So unless Intel builds and digitally signs custom OEM drivers (which I seriously doubt), that would seem to be a strong indication that they are not shipping a custom OEM driver.
New update: No, with 18.40.0 version I had one crash, and it did start to lose the connection more often than before....Possibly because in my setup, I have a primary router three floors up, an extender advertising the same SID for both 2.4 and 5 GHz bands in my den...something about the roaming may not work quite well I think...However v. 18.40 drivers seem in general more stable than v. 19 drivers.
My issue is that I have an AC router, N-extender, 2.4 and 5 GHz bands, and twp mini-PCI-slots in my laptop...plus the different driver versions...many possibilities to test the setup so please give me some time, and I will gladly share the result if I find the solution
I'd like to add that I have installed the 8260 m.2 card in my pc, and was having many blue screens in Windows 10 as well. I downgraded the driver to 18.40. as JackMark suggested, and haven't had a crash yet.
My situation is that this is a PC that I have recently built from components. Everything was running absolutely perfectly after the build, it's running a brand new install of the latest public build of Windows 10 x64, and was originally connected via one of the four gigabit Ethernet ports on the motherboard (an ASRock Rack EP2C602-4L/D16, brand new, latest BIOS, etc.). The motherboard doesn't have on-board Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, so I purchased and installed a Gigabyte GC-WB867D-I REV 4.2, which is basically an Intel AC 8260 mounted on a PCI express board. I installed the drivers provided with the card - frequent crashes. I followed the Intel Driver Update Utility when it suggested a later version - frequent crashes. then I experimented and reverted the older 18.50.4.2 version. Since doing so I have used the system for quite a few hours over last weekend, and have had no issues - not a single crash.
I am not aware of any specific action that causes the crash. I have seen it crash on several occasions before I was even able to complete a Windows login. On other occasions I have been able to use the system (including WiFi and Bluetooth via the card) for a few minutes, but not much longer that that before encountering a crash. Sometimes I have been working in an app, other times I have just been looking at the desktop at the time of a crash. The only constant is that with the later drivers installs, it crashes VERY frequently, so I would expect to be able to reproduce the issue pretty easily if needed.
I can't help wondering if the problem is some edge-case related to multi-threaded code. The reason I say this is that my system isn't exactly what you would call a typical configuration. It has two XEON E5-2670 processors, meaning that it has 16 physical cores and supports 32 concurrent threads. It also has 128GB of RAM. Not sure why that would make a difference, but it's something that is definitely not a "normal" configuration.
Unfortunately I am working out of town for the next two weeks, so I don't currently have access to the system, but I would be more than happy to work with you on this issue when I return. Perhaps you want to try to get some Windows crash dumps or something; a minidump is probably "doable", but trying for a full memory dump probably isn't a good idea due to the amount of RAM present. Let me know if there is anything I can do to help diagnose the issue.
Of course I don't expect you to support custom setups. There are almost infinite permutations of hardware available, and it's not your responsibility to make sure your drivers work on all of them. I've worked in the software industry, and even wrote a few drivers myself! I completely understand.
IMHO, the issue is the combination of card and driver version 19.x. I have same crashes with 7260 HMW card; switching to version 18.40.x helped, although PC would sometimes lose connection. Interestingly, old Intel Centrino Ultimate-N 6300 WIFI card would work Ok with latest drivers (e.g. 19.1.0). But I am not sure at this time what specific driver version for that card is included with v. 19.1.0, as I already took it out of the system and replaced it with Broadcom/AzureWave BCM94352HWB.
I just wanted to weigh in on this issue. I've been having the exact same problem with my Gigabyte Designare x99 motherboard. I spent hours on the phone with their support only for them to eventually tell me that it's a driver issue on Intel's end. I even went so far as to replace the entire motherboard, only to have the problem come right back after Windows 10 automatically updated the driver. I'm about to roll back the driver to an earlier version as recommended by others in this thread. I'll update this post if it works.
I have the same issue with my new build PC with Gigabyte motherboard (X99 Designare Ex LGA 2011-3) with integrated 8260 Intel wifi. I have reinstalled and rolled back various drivers including the most recent but after an hour or less from boot I get the BSOD. Usually it starts with the internet signal dropping out, then all the network tools freeze and then the computer either blue screens or it blue screens or freezes when I reboot.
Intel does not verify all solutions, including but not limited to any file transfers that may appear in this community. Accordingly, Intel disclaims all express and implied warranties, including without limitation, the implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and non-infringement, as well as any warranty arising from course of performance, course of dealing, or usage in trade.
By the way, since this is an OEM laptop device, please take into consideration that our support may be limited since we are not familiar with the technology, settings, customizations, custom drivers, and features that the OEM has designed and installed for your system, nevertheless, I will do my best to assist you with your concern.
I want to attempt a cold reboot of my laptop. My battery was removable, but the case was not easy to open as it needs the help of a technician to remove screws to open the case. In this case, can I follow the steps for a Laptop cold reboot with a non-removable battery?
We have some issues as well with this wifi adapter, regardless of which driver version the users are in. We have recently changed the authentication method to EAP-TTLS and for the moment users that have this Wifi adapter have reported Wifi disconnections. The Wlan report at the time of the event show that the user has disconnected from the wifi network when the user did not. In system event we see an information level event that informs the driver is corrupt or not properly installed.
I tried the cold reboot. The only problem is when I turned on my laptop after pressing the power button for 15 seconds, the screen is black and I did shut down once more and turned on again my laptop. The cold reboot did not work as expected. Should I repeat the cold reboot again considering the black screen problem?
probably not it, I'm having the same issue (blank screen on cold boot and everything} and the only peripherals my laptop has are wired ones. it also does this regardless of whether they're plugged in or not. I hope someone finds out what the actual problem is. The generic solution given by senkuchan isn't cutting it for me, and the problem with my wifi adapter is getting worse.
Upon looking further, I think it's because of an issue with the hardware itself. I'm a bit out of practice when it comes to mucking about with a laptop's internal components, and am therefore too nervous to try this out myself, but this might work
Thanks for your reply. The wifi adapter is Wi-Fi 6 AX201 160 MHz, this is, as far as i understand the same adapter as the original poster. Regardless if realy needed by intel i can open a diferent threat.
In line with your concern that, if you should repeat the cold reboot process, yes you may perform again the cold reboot, but this time, you may need to perform the clean installation first of your OEM driver for your wi-fi adapter: ( -gaming/tuf-gaming/asus-tuf-gaming-f15/helpdesk_download?model2Name=FX506LI) and performed a Cold Reboot: ( ).
Bluetooth and other communications methods used with wireless mice and keyboards all use the same 2.4GHz transmission band that is used for standard WiFi. As well, USB 3.x transmission is done using the 2.4GHz signalling, so it too can contribute to WiFi interference if the USB cables being used are not well shielded.
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