So far, the product is working properly for me, and the product arrived sooner than I expected. I needed this product to provide wifi to my nintendo ds, because I did not want to take the security off my router, or switch to WEP. Here is what I did to set mine up, not sure if it will work for everyone, some of these WLAN products and drivers are strange.
1. Plugged the device into computer, and I ignored the "Found new hardware" thing that popped up from windows.
2. Inserted disc that came with product, and opened the files up from the D drive. I thin went into the wifi folder that was on the disc, and the the setup in admin mode. (I'm on vista 32 bit btw)
4. from there I just allowed the setup to run, and restarted my computer to finalize installation.
5. I opened the program and clicked the Mode tab at the top, and switched it to Access Point.
6. I think clicked the ICS tab, and applied it to my computers source of internet. (my ethernet cord.) From there I was able to successfully make a connection with the DS Lite.
I can't figure out how to change the SSID name, it takes the name of whatever you have your computer named as. WiFi Wireless IEEE 802.11N/G/B WLAN 54Mbps Network Dongle Adapter USB2.0 Wireless Lan USB Adapter for WiFi Wireless USB Lan Adapter Link for PSP NDS PS3 Wii Laptop Noteook Desktop PC Suport Vista/Windows 7(32bit & 64bit)/Linux
I've only been using it about a day, but it does what I wanted it to - connect to my NDS through my laptop. However, there were no instructions for setup as an access point, so Glowstuff's review helped a lot.
I was however upset with the driver cd - it's one of those mini discs. My laptop isn't compatible with them, and there is no warning on the product page about this. I ended up scouring the internet for the brand and drivers (since the brand isn't listed anywhere either). And so you don't have to do the same: The brand is Realtek, and you'll need to go to the site and find the driver for RTL8192CU. Then follow the instructions - run the setup, restart your computer, and right-click the icon in your tray to configure the settings.
By the way - it's true about the seller having horrible customer service - the phone's message system was full and no one answers. Don't even try their email.
First, it was a week after I placed my order before importer520 shipped it. (Not off to a good start)
I could not get the USB WiFi antenna to work. After several e-mails back and forth importer520 said they would send me a new CD with the driver software. Since then I have neither received the software, nor have I received and further responses from importer520. Had they followed through I would have said importer520 did well for correcting the problem. However, due to importer520's lack of follow through I have to say that importer520 failed.
Amazon on the other hand, was helpful and quick to respond. I am glad I ordered through Amazon and feel safer working with them than ordering direct. Amazon gets a big thumbs up.
As for the USB WiFi antenna itself, I cannot say. It might work great with the right driver software, (then again, it might not.) Without the right driver software for it I have no way of knowing. Lacking that, I cannot recommend this item.
To put it bluntly, this thing is garbage.
For the price, I took a risk, and now I have to caution against that for any other potential buyers in my position. I wanted to use this thing to connect to the internet on my DS, right around the release of Pokemon Black and White, because the wireless at my dorm isn't DS-compatible.
Well, installation didn't work from the CD. I mean, *something* happened, but the program had absolutely no functionality. It opened a window that had no options - nothing. Just a few lines of information about the device. Great.
So I went online, and browsed around for a solution. I was obviously not the only person to have this problem, so if a fix existed, it must be online. Well, I found the website for the drivers, and after uninstalling the originals, tried again - same result. I didn't give up there, but suffice it to say that I will never get those hours back.
My system is a Win7 64-bit.
This little device is not only affordable, but it works just fine for my old school Nintendo DS. Shipping time was short and prompt. The only cons in my opinion are the size (takes up space for two USB slots) and the fact setting it up can be confusing. The directions are little help. Thanks to the reviews here detailing personal experience with set-up I had little difficulty with it (thanks, guys!), but otherwise I would have had some problems. I recommend it for anyone who doesn't want to struggle with security issues with their personal network to go online.
The device worked for my purposes, to connect my DS Lite to our home network, which is WPA and we weren't about to downgrade for a game. That said, let me add that the device worked, but not easily and not at first. Another reviewer posted some steps and they helped, but still my DS would not connect. I switched it back and forth from Station to Access Point and tweaked settings (created a simple password and then flipped back to unsecure, etc) and unplugged/plugged in the device. For quite a while, though, it said "checking status" on the device's software application and that was all. During that time, the IP address and other connection parameters were either blank or very generic. After about 30 minutes of my DS saying it couldn't obtain an IP address... suddenly, there it was. I hadn't changed anything for about 10 minutes (and was frankly afraid to touch anything after the DS connected haha), so I can't say what the "trick" was, but the device had finally switched from "checking status" to being on and having an IP listed. Thankfully, I only needed this to work once so I could download a promotional Pokemon, because I'm not sure I'd have the patience to wait it out again. Although, who knows, the next time it may work right away now that it's figured out how to interface with my router.
Here were the different steps I took, though as I said, I'm not sure which worked or if it just took time:
- Installed driver before plugging in device (do not use "found new hardware"), then rebooted as instructed.
- Found my network and entered the access information. At this point, the device said "checking status".
- Looked like it was connected, despite that status message, but could not get the DS to connect. ARGH
- Clicked the Mode tab and switched to Access Point. Still nothing.
- Unplugged the device and plugged it back in.
- Clicked configure to take off the password (unsecured).
- Clicked ICS (I think) and updated some settings.
- Tried to manually input the IP, etc, into the DS. (Didn't work, because they were still generic.)
- Unplugged the device and plugged it back in.
- Clicked the configure tab, with the intent of changing the settings again, but WOW, the icon in the trey looked different... Glanced at the main page, no longer said "checking status". Grabbed the DS and hurriedly searched for an Access Point. There it is... Quick, get the Victory Pass!! :)
Hope that helps. - Wireless - Wii - Usb Wireless Adapter - Wi-fi'
Detail Products
Detail Reviews
Click here for more information
