I purchased a Vista laptop a few months back and no longer needed my XP desktop on the first floor of the house. The problem was, I dreaded the prospect of having to get a super long ethernet extension cord and tediously staple-gunning it along the wall all the way down to where I wanted to put my computer in the basement. The other option was to get some sort of wireless card installed to my desktop, but I'm not that tech-savvy and generally try to avoid ulcer-causing IT-related nightmares.
So I procrastinated for a good long time, frozen by my aversion to either manual labor or the daunting task of setting up my own wireless network. The months passed --spring summer autumn winter / he sang his didn't he danced his did-- and one day I finally just went out and purchased this Netgear USB Adapter, and it was so much easier than I had ever expected to get it working. For one, it's a plug-in usb interface, so there wasn't the PCI card installation to deal with, and since this interface works so well, I wouldn't recommend that the novice user go out and get the PCI card version unless s/he has particular reason for it.
This is about all it took to receive wireless internet on my XP desktop:
1) Removed driver cd installation disc and usb adapter from box
2) Installed drivers from enclosed cd onto my desktop pc
3) Plugged in the usb adapter into a rear port on my desktop pc
4) Clicked "next," etc. as directed by the setup window after I plugged in the usb wireless adapter
And then I was online. I was a little worried that the wireless range wouldn't be very good since the router was on a different floor, but it turned out to be fine, for the most part. Once in a while the little green icon in the taskbar that indicates online connectivity blinks red, but it's only for a second and isn't enough to cause much interruption in my site browsing activities.
I'm not sure if the setup process was made easier because both my router and this adapter are made by Netgear, but for whatever the reason, it was simple for me to set up and use so I'm recommending it. That is all... I hope my review has been helpful to you in your hunt for the perfect network adapter! NETGEAR WG111US Wireless G Usb Adapter
I had this thing for 2 months and got constantly bad signal from it. It would go all the way down to 2mbps. I did not pay for a crappy b signal. I paid for a good g signal. What was wrong you ask. I had the netgear plugged directly into the back of my computer. When I used the provided usb extension cable voila I have had nothing but 54mbps since. Keep this adapter away from your computer otherwise your signal will be extremely terrible.
Due to the nature of my work, I have used several types of these 54Mbps wireless cards. The only 2 Wireless Homenetworking I recommend to others is either D-Link or Netgear.
I personally am using a 54Mbps wireless WG111 USB adaptor on my PC plus 2 others in the house.
In addition I use the Neatgear 54Mbps Wireless Card (WG511) for my older Dell laptop. I have used these adaptors for over a year and have not had to replace them, or have had any problem with their peformance.
I have installed hundreds of these for customers. It does come with software for the drivers, AND comes with a NETGEAR PROGRAM that overides windows. I never use the program personally. I just use the CD for the drivers, after insert the adaptor. It also comes with the software updates for vista.
I found that as long as you have a Wireless Netgear Modem, it never seems to have any problems with 128bit encryption or 64bit (which is what I mostly use)
The biggest reason for any Netgear adaptor 128 or 64 bit is 1st) If you use install and use the NETGEAR PROGRAM, then the best way to avoid internet drop off, is to enter you 64 or 128 bit encryption password on the first page of the progam IN THE MANUAL SLOT and not the 2 slots for above! Trust me I know.
2nd) If you plug the adaptor in, and then insert the CD just for the drivers (when prompted) WITHOUT using Netgears program, then you have to set internet options to set LAN and check "automatic" and leave proxy settings alone. Then right click on the little wireless pic in your tray, and select "status" then "properties". From there at the top box scroll down to TCP/IP and click properties and make sure "automatic is checked" The click close and click the middle tab. If there is more than 1 network in your area or in that box, remove them all, except yours. Then make sure to check the box "let windows configure my wireless settings for me" and on the last tab check the box "automatically connect to this network when in range" After that click okay, and close. It may start to try and connect right then, or you can right click on the little wireless computer in tray and select "view wireless networks" and you will see your there, click connect and it will prompt you for you password, twice and thats it. You don't have to type in the password any more. Everytime you turn on your computer, it will automatically detect settings and connect you to your wireless internet network.
It sounds like a lot, but it really is simple and will prevent internet drop off tremendously!
I setup networks for a living and years ago, I used to pull my hair out sometimes, until I finally found out what works the best, regardless of number of networks, users or 64 and 128 encyrption. If the router is setup correctly and you install Neatgear wireless usb or card, you will be very happy. I have moved and used the same USB and CARD for my laptop with 3 dirrent networks, and all I did was set it up with the new password and it is working as of now.
Hope this helps - Wireless Network Adapter - Usb Adapter - Wireless Adapter - Wireless Usb Adapter'
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