Ok, so, at the detection stage, the microsoft one seems reliable. I'll install the others only if it turns out that i need some cleaning.

Seems, but read the full review:

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2403986,00.asp

The malware detection it's not exactly great.

I may be completely out of the subject, but did you try every possible USB port on your laptop ?

I wonder if it's possible you damaged your "concentrateur USB", it happened to me in the past : I partially lost two juxtaposed USB port that way on my old laptop :( (if I remember I could still use mouse, but not devices with high transfer rates)

Irrelevant detail : It's my desktop, which has this issue. My laptop connects to the wifi just fine.

But to answer your question : yes, I've tried in all usb ports. AND i have tested these ports with an usb flash key, that I seem to be able to open, so I guess the usb ports are fine...

Now, if usb ports can be "half damaged", I'm not sure with what to test them...

Yes, your desktop, not your laptop indeed, I projected a bit.

Edit : NVM. you tested with usb key, your ports should be fine.

But yeah, it was a good question. See, when I tried to uninstall/reinstall the wifi adapter, and arrived to the point of driver installation where they ask us to plug it in, I accidentally knocked the power cord off my computer. With a little spark. Startled me. Shutdown the PC.

So when I restarted it and downright failed to have the wifi adapter recognised, I feared to have physically damaged the USB. And then assumed I had physically damaged the wifi adapter itself, hence my switch to a new one. But apparently, it wasn't that.

When did this start?

Okay, I see today.

Try a system restore to yesterday or before.

If system restore fails, then you've definitely got malware. If it works, try your adapter, try reinstalling the driver again, etc.


EDIT: Nevermind, I guess your using a Mac???

Sorry, my bad.

Have you tried uninstalling every USB hub/controller from the device manager, reboot, and let windows reinstall them upon startup?
He's not using a mac, but mac=media access control in this case :D

Oh, sorry for my ignorance. lol. Had no idea.

Try this:
1- Plug the wifi device in.
2- Go to device manager and uninstall the wifi device
3- Unplug the wifi device
4- Uninstall the rest of the software normally
5- Shut down computer (don't restart)
6- Start computer
7- Try installing the wifi device again according to the manufacturer instructions. I.E. If they tell you to plug the device before the install then do that, if they tell you to wait until you are prompted by the installer then do that.

That procedure is how I resolved this kind of issue under XP, I've never had to solve this issue under 7 and never worked with 8 but I think it is worth a try.

If other USB device works then your USB ports are probably fine with the possible exception of not being able to furnish enough current. There is not really an easy way to test for that unless you know your way around basic electronic (rig a male to female usb cord with an amp meter on the 5V wire, measure how much the device draw on the suspect computer and compare it with another computer).

Ok, that time I fried my concentrator, there was a mess on my table I pushed a book and a screwdriver just came in contact with a usb port of my laptop -> short circuit -> spark -> really hard shutdown (needed 1 minute to restart)

So maybe you have a hardware issue after all, but if you can read write data on a USB (you said it was detected so I wouldn't worry), your usb port should be perfectly functional (I wouldn't vouch for the dongle though).

Did you succeeded to install your wifi adapter on your side-laptop ? (and do a quick test with your supposedly embeded wifi device deactivated)

Back when something wasn't recognized in the USB ports I used to open device manager > Universal Serial Bus controllers > Right Click > Uninstall every USB root hub and let Windows redetect them all. It used to fix such problems on many occasions. Worth a shot

Try to remove the driver and network device completely by unhiding it in the device manager, then reboot. Description how to show all drivers and devices:
http://www.tech-recipes.com/rx/504/how-to-uninstall-hidden-devices-drivers-and-services/

Personally I had very bad experiences with wlan-sticks, because they easily overheat. Better is a pci- or pci-e card and an external antenna.

I am doing this now, it's hilarious. First uninstalled usb : SHIT IT WAS THE MOUSE. Okay, look up keyboard controls and carry on. Second uninstalled usb : SHIT IT WAS THE KEYBOARD.

At least I had planned a computer reboot beforehands...