Killer 1202 issues with Windows 8

Is anyone else having issues getting the Atheros Killer 1202 working under Windows 8?

An XPS 18 I have came with it, but it appeared to be just a driver, no software (application). Nothing listed in Programs and Features to uninstall.
I downloaded the latest 1202 Windows 8 drivers from Killergaming.com. Installed it (successfully) and the wifi worked and connected...until I rebooted.
After the first reboot, the 1202 would not load the driver, saying a file is missing. Uninstalled and tried again, same thing. Tried Dell's 1202 drivers, and the driver installation would fail at the very end (error -1603).

Now, XPS 13 (L322x) came with an Intel 6235. Uninstalled the Intel software and removed the 6235 and installed the 1202. Turned on, and Windows 8 picked it up and loaded the driver (WiFi) but no Bluetooth.
I've tried every available 1202 driver from Dell (from other various Dell laptops that have the 1202) and even the driver direct from Killergaming.com. Same thing as the XPS 18.

What is the deal?? It can't be this hard to get the 1202 working. I found it's odd that the XPS 18 came with a driver, but no software application that is normally available with the Killer 1202.
Occasionally, I can get Windows 8 to load the oddball Atheros 1202 driver only, but then I have no BT.

So, back to the 6235 for now.

Ideas?

 

I wonder if it's a "branded" 1202 ... if it came straight from Dell it could be the case that the generic drivers won't work.

In using the 1202 on my XPS 15 L521X I found that the 'app' provides no benefit after initial tweaking of the driver, I never ran it.

If you have a system restore point prior to messing with the driver I'd try that to see if it restores the card to functionality.

 

If it is "branded" shouldn't the drivers downloaded from Dell install successfully instead of ending with a -1603 error and rolling back the install?

I've tried the Dell 1202 drivers for a XPS 13, XPS 15, XPS 18 and M18xR2. Zilch.

 

yeah, but we don't know what "mess" the generic ones left behind, which is why I asked about restore points.

i've experienced issues with every revision of windows since 3.1 on a variety of hardware where installation of one driver too many would require a clean wipe or the equivalent to make the hardware work properly.

Sometimes there just isn't a way to go back.

Restore points try to do that, sometimes succeed, but not always.

If you have a spare HDD to pop in you could try it, or maybe with a HD on a USB port.