Got a Dell Inspiron 2500 and a "Dynex DX-WGNBC" PCMCIA network card, which is apparently a Best Buy store brand. Seems to have an Atheros chipset.
I initially install it on the laptop, which has a very poorly running installation of Win ME. Works fine. Then I format and install Win2K. The card doesn't work. The driver installs, looks good in device manager, etc. But the connection manager refuses to see any networks. I install Service Pack 2, and that does nothing. Out of desperation, I try SP4. Nothing. I uninstall, reboot, check device manager in safe mode, and try the driver from the Dynex website. Still won't work.
I try the card on a HP laptop, also running Win2K SP4 and it works fine. I try a Netgear USB wireless adapter on the Dell and that works.
Finally, I format and install XP on the Dell and the card works! What the heck?