Carl - thank you.
Should I upgrade to Windows 10 before removing and then manually installing the driver? And roll it back a second time to Windows 7 if no success (at which time I will purchase a new adapter).
Or do you think I should bite the bullet and buy a new network adapter? Any reason to stick with a wired ethernet adapter given that my desktop dates from 2010? Is there a way for me to determine what my Gateway system can accommodate?