Is the dongle the DWl-G122 which was very popular back in the days of XP? If so, and I still use one for XP machines, your problem is related to using the correct driver. If the XP machine has just had XP Service Pack 3 installed that would explain why it stopped working - D-Link released a new driver to cope with it.

In any event, you need to check on the back to see which hardware "revision" your adapter is. (I suspect it will be C) Follow this link D-Link DWL G122 Drivers and enter the revision to download the correct driver. For revision C there are 3 available. The most likely driver release you need is not the newest but V3.40 but download them all just in case.

Firstly uninstall the current driver and reboot. (Do this every time before trying each driver) Install the new driver and plug in the adapter only when told to do so. I have found that once installed the adapter may not work until another reboot. Always use the Windows Zero Configuration and not the D-Link utility option at the end of the installation routine.

These were very reliable wireless dongles and I must have installed dozens over the years. I have only ever had one that failed completely after several years. As I said I still use one when repairing towers with no wireless connection built in.

Great and thanks for coming back to et us know. Can you tick the Likes "Thumbs Up" next to my thread which will mark it as resolved. It helps others looking for the correct answers.