Win7 USB wireless dongle issues

I'm reaching the end of my tether with this problem...

I have a Tenda W322U v2.0 adapter, i never really noticed any issues with it once i purchased it, but it started to give me issues. To the point now where it wont connect at all without throwing a serious fit at me.

Problem: When i boot my computer up, the computer cannot connect instantly as it should. Instead it simply displays the red x for "not connected". If i click on the wireless symbol with the red x, it should give me a list of all available networks. Unfortunately this list often doesn't show my network, and requires repeated open and close clicks until it finds it (Refresh never works).

When it does eventually find the network im looking for, it starts causing problems. Very rarely it works and connects but provides a less than desirable speed (Hasn't connected fine in months, signal strength is excellent however). When it doesn't, the small icon, any open windows to do with connecting or the adapter window in the wireless settings all freeze as the computer attempts to connect. After an extended length of time, either it simply says cannot connect to network, or i get fed up and remove the device/restart explorer.exe!

What i've tried:

There are two dongles in the household both tenda w322u v2.0 dongles, both have been interchanged both give above symptoms when plugged into my machine, but work in any other machines on the same network. Also tried with linksys WUSB100 v2.0 similar results.

All drivers have been installed,removed,manually,uninstalled,refreshed in numerous ways, in soo many combinations its unbelievable. I've referenced the working machine on the network and made sure all settings are matched in as many places as i can think off... Any specialists want to give me deeper places to look please do.

Error *appears* to be related with some specific communication between the OS and the device, my instinct and that of everyone is to blame the drivers but i can almost definitely say they are up to date and correct. The dongle and software windows uses works on all other machines on the network. but on this one causes them to stop responding (nonspecific: sometimes explorer, sometimes devmgr depends on what im trying to do)

I've posted on a ton of forums so far no one can solve this... I want to figure out the issue without having to install win7 fresh Please please i beg! Help! <3