linksys usb adapters

Ron Victoria · Post by **Ron Victoria** » 20 Sep 2006 3:35 pm

I was perusing Ebay for one of those adapters for wireless on a desktop. I see two styles. One is a rectangular unit with an antenna that uses a USB cable. The other type is long and flat and plugs directly into a USB port. Both do the same thing. Is there a difference?
Ron

Ron Victoria · Post by **Ron Victoria** » 24 Sep 2006 12:37 pm

any feedback?
Ron

Wiz Feinberg · Post by **Wiz Feinberg** » 25 Sep 2006 10:58 am

Ron;
I haven't tried a USB wireless adapter yet, but I did read user feedback about them on NewEgg. Reviews varied from "I love it" to "It's a piece of crap." However, I do have a wired USB network adapter and I can state without hesitation that it is a complete piece of crap. It constantly loses connectivity while I try to download Windows Updates onto computers that lack a NIC. I have even updated the driver with one available from Microsoft, but the stupid adapter cannot maintain a steady connection to a router. I can only assume that a wireless USB network adapter will suffer from the same issues, and buyer feedback suggests that they do. Some brands and models from the same manufacturer get better reviews than others. NewEgg.com Wireless Adapters

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Wiz Feinberg · Post by **Wiz Feinberg** » 25 Sep 2006 11:02 am

Ron;
Read the reviews about this USB wireless adapter.

Wiz Feinberg · Post by **Wiz Feinberg** » 25 Sep 2006 11:15 am

After reading the reviews about D-Link and a different Linksys wireless USB adapter, I'd wait a while before I'd buy one. There seems to be agreement that the drivers and networking software are still buggy (mess with the Windows Registry networking settings, cause crashes, etc), especially in the case of D-Link USB wireless adapters, which have absolutely horrible reviews.

Michael Barone · Post by **Michael Barone** » 25 Sep 2006 6:22 pm

We are using Linksys USB links & PCI cards in our shop for the last 2 years with no problems (WinXP). We found that it is desirable to have an access point or wireless router of the same manufacturer as the USB links, to reach optimum bandwidth.

Mike

Ron Victoria · Post by **Ron Victoria** » 28 Sep 2006 11:00 am

I tried it today with the help of some savy students. It's picking up the signal from my school. Now I need to go thru red tape to get some type of passwork.

I'll give you an update soon.

Ron

Robert Leaman · Post by **Robert Leaman** » 3 Oct 2006 7:16 pm

I have LinkSys wireless cards in both my computers that work like a charm with a Westell 327 router/modem. There are no problems with connectivity and/or download speed. In fact, my computer also has NIC and both the LinkSys wireless and NIC work in tandem at times.

One of my friends tried 3Com (USRobotics)equipment and had bad experiences. That doesn't say 3Com equipment is all bad.

Gene Jones · Post by **Gene Jones** » 4 Oct 2006 5:51 am

I had to return a Linksy wireless because it could not penetrate a masonry wall. I replaced it with a Linksy "wired" unit and have never had a problem since.

Tom Diemer · Post by **Tom Diemer** » 4 Oct 2006 1:45 pm

Ron, just a few FWIW comments on the wireless adapters.

The one that requires the cable has a bigger antenna, and you can position it for best signal without moving the computer - however, it takes a lot of power from your USB port to make it work. DO NOT try to connect it through a USB hub. Some notebooks don't have enough available power to make it work at all without drivers crashing. If you have other USB devices, printers, scanners, camera's, etc connected, I wouldn't recommend that adapter.

The one that connects directly uses less power but has less range.

Wireless networking overall: The connection tends to come and go due to how they connect, much like how a wireless phone will come and go if you are walking around, or a way from the base unit. Each time it does, the wireless card has to re-aquire the IP address from the router, and reregister into the routers list of assigned numbers (leases). Causes instability and timeouts, etc.

To fix it, assign a static IP number and dns numbers to the wireless adapter. In many cases, you can turn a complete piece of junk into a very workable unit by doing that, because the router isn't assigning you an IP, doesn't have to register your number at all. Makes it much more stable.