I know it is my WiFi adapter that is causing the problem for two reasons: 1. this problem does not occur when I am able to use the torrent program with an ethernet cable (no WiFi) and 2. when i try to disable/re-enable the driver after using the program, the whole device manager window and the WiFi driver itself become totally unresponsive - at which point I have to restart the computer for the WiFi adapter to become functional again.
I have checked and changed the power settings, that was not the problem. I have also tried reinstalling the driver (though I may not have done that properly). I have searched a number of times for a solution to this problem, but have yet to see anyone else with the same problem. Maybe I just really suck at searching for solutions. Any help would be GREATLY appreciated.