Now you can connect to any 10/100 Ethernet network without having to open your PC. And with the power of USB 2.0, you'll connect at the full speed your network supports.
The Compact USB 2.0 10/100 Network Adapter from Linksys works with any USB 1.1 or 2.0 equipped desktop or notebook PC, running any version of Windows that supports USB.
This tiny Plug-and-Play compatible device attaches directly to a USB port on your PC or hub via a standard USB Type A connector.
Simply connect a Category 5 Ethernet network cable into the Compact USB 2.0 10/100 Network Adapter's RJ-45 port, install the included device driver, and you're networked.
The Compact USB 2.0 10/100 Network Adapter is bus-powered, drawing power from the host PC so it requires no external power cord. It features easy-to-read LEDs, compact design, a 1-year limited warranty, and free world-class technical support.
Features- One Type A, Male USB Connector
- One RJ-45, 10/100 Port for Network Connectivity
- Powered by Host PC so No External Power Supply is Needed
- Compact DesignPerfect for Use with Notebook PCs
- RJ-45 Network Port Connects to Any 10/100Mbps Hub or Switch
- Backward Compatible with USB 1.0/1.1 Ports
- Plug-and-Play Compatible with Windows 98, Millennium, 2000, and XP for Easy Installation
1 Not Perfect, but not as bad...
I got this for the sole purpose of connecting my Tivo to the network so I could take advantage of Tivo ToGo. The online reviews were the only thing that made me a little shakey about this, however, it is one of only two adapters currently said to be comapatible by Tivo.
I have to say that I have no problems with it whatsoever. Although the door is a bit weak, it is no where near as bad as some of these reviews. Plugging the ethernet into it took a bit of wiggling, but it isn't going anywhere. I've been using it to transfer things to my computer with out problems.
Basically, unless you plan on throwing the thing around before hooking it up, it works perfectly. Connection with TiVo couldn't have been easier, and is small and stays out of the way.
2 Flimsy, fragile
As others have noted, this adapter is extremely flimsy. The case on mine cracked as I was inserting it for the first time, into the provided extension cable. The ethernet jack does not seem to hold the plug very securely, either.
Avoid this adapter at all costs.
3 cheap junk
I have used many Linksys networking products, and I will continue too, but this adapter is junk. There is a little door that opens at an angle to allow the rj-45 connecter (lan cable) to attach. Problem is, that is does NOT securely hold the cable in place.
I too am using this device for a TIVO. And while I read the previous reviews, I decided that since I will plug it in, and probably not move the cable but once a year, surely it will hold just fine. Wrong! The first week, I had to reconnect the cable a dozen times.
I am still using the adapter, by wrapping the whole thing with electical tape. But I have little doubt that I will have to replace this thing sooner or later.
Unfortunately I do not know what adapter to advise getting. But trust me, that you can do much better than this adapter.
4 Unreliable and it broke within 6 months
I bought this item for use with my Tivo. It it was one of their two recommended USB network adaptors (the other is Linksys 100TX and I had to replace that 3 times within 6 months). Now that it's broke I am on hold with their tech support and it's a very painful exsperience. They are getting worse and worse. The item itself is VERY flimsy like other users have stated. It just stopped working for no reason. I will never buy a linksys adator again, they should stick with making routers and hubs.
5 Does NOT hold securely
Just amazed at how poorly this thing was designed! At first I thought I wasn't inserting the Cat5 tip properly (I crimp my own tips on custom lengths of cable -saves $ and its pretty easy!). I tried commercially prepared cables... Well, everything worked (the green LEDS lit up- indicating functionality)- BUT only in a most unsecure way. You jiggle, jiggle, jiggle until after hoping and hoping, you see the green LEDs, then very, very carefully let go- hoping it will maintain that same micro-precise position. I mean you BLOW on it, the lightest breath will cause the tip to move and the connection to be lost. Ridiculous!! I'm returning it. I've got a Belkin that's a USB 1 on the downstairs TIVO that works great. I wish TIVO would recommend a Belkin USB 2 adapter!
6 Far too fragile
This little widget does a basic job as a USB network adapter, but its design is way too fragile to be practical. Your RJ45 cable doesn't really lock into any socket: you sort of wedge it under a little door at a 45 degree angle, for a very finicky connection that'll come loose at the slightest touch. And, after only a dozen connections, the door on mine popped off and the whole unit basically disintegrated in my hand, unrepairable. Find another brand with a less gimmicky design.
7 Doesn't hold the ethernet cable securely.
I bought this to use with my TiVO. It works fine when it's connected, but it doesn't hold the ethernet cable securely enough. The slightest movement will break the connection with the unit. When my frustration level exceeds my annoyance level at having wasted my money on this thing, I'll buy something more sturdier.
8 Nifty little tool but the door will break
Its a nifty little tool and when I saw it at office depot; I bought it because i liked the design.
however, the design gets in the way of functionality. The nifty little door on the back is very prone to breaking and mine broke when it fell on the ground (hey this is travel accessory; it is supposed to fall on the ground). it would not have been so bad if it was just the door that will break. The device is designed in such a way that there is no way to hold the ethernet wire in place if the door is broken !!
so its now useless for me.
please dont buy it. the door will break (and soon) and then it will be no good.
9 Crashes PC when ip changes
Although this unit installed & worked ok, I bought it because I am constantly testing different network equipment on my XP machine & did not want to lose my corporate connection to test them. Unfortunately whenever I either change the network settings or unplug this device my PC totally crashes & restarts. I suppose this bug could be either XP or this kit but either way if I had another chance I would buy a different one. I agree with the other review that the rj45 socket is less than solid & there are some cables which will not hold in place properly. If you only want a permanant Ether connection & don't switch addresses or cables then this works fine. It even comes with a USB extension cable about 5cm long which you will need if your usb connectors are in line rather than side by side because the unit itself is slightly wider than a socket preventing access to the adjacent usb connection.
10 Works Well, But Didn't Trust Door
I agree that it worked well and immediately, but I felt like its door was going to break off from the first time I used it. I don't travel much any more so I won't be worrying about a laptop, but I would be surprised if that door would travel very well. Even connected to my desktop at home, I felt as if I was going to break off the door just brushing against the cable. I used it a couple of hours and then returned it.
11 Great little tool
I love this little thing. It's the size of a pin drive and has a cap with a clip to but on your shirt or wherever. I used it to connect my Series2 TiVO to my home network. I plugged it in to my TiVO and hub and that was that. Has worked perfectly ever since. It's only possible downfall is that the ethernet port has a little flimsy door that looks like it could break easily. I am just careful when I plug it in.
12 Perfect Solution
Pefect for adding an older Windows 98 PC without a 10/100 port to a network with virtually no effort.
13 Get a different one
It worked instantly out of the box, but the hinged door is very cheap and fragile. If you look at the picture real closely, you see that you plug the cord into a flimsy hinged trap-door. When the door breaks or pops the hinges, the cord drops out. I had to replace it with a stronger direct plug-in type.
14 Nice.
I have one of the older USB 1.0 adapters in my computer junk drawer (a collection of adapters, plugs, gender changers, card readers & cables....sounds a bit like a circus side show but it never fails me!) and have found it useful on several occasions, but this 2.0 model is in daily service on a network server. Basically, you can plug your ethernet cable into the adapter and then insert the plug end into any USB receptacle (2.0 or 1.1) on your machine (such as on a laptop or a TIVO, etc.). Its purpose is to make buying and installing an ethernet card unnecessary. It has connection & data transfer LEDs to tell you you've contacted the network, though these are not really necessary. No set up is required either, just plug and go on Windows XP.
As far as I can see, the connection is quite as stable as any hard wired to an internal ethernet card, and as it's a true 2.0-compliant adapter, transfer speeds are awesome. In daily use on our network it has performed flawlessly.
15 linksys usb 200m
Unit would not install on my Gateway laptop using MS Millennium. It locks up at the final install screen. It works fine on my Gateway desktop using MS XP. Neither Linksys nor Gateway were any help with this problem.
16 Great little accessory
I purchased this adapter for use with my Sony VAIO subnotebook that unfortunately sacrificed an Ethernet jack for size constraints. Installation was a breeze, and after driver installation Windows 2000 picked up on the USB200M and I was on the Internet. Included in the box is a 4-inch USB cable extender you can use to place the adapter away from the computer. I would recommend using this, since when the adapter is plugged directly into the computer it puts quite a bit of strain on the USB port due to 2 inches of hardware sticking out and the Ethernet cord tension. It's inexpensive, does its job well, and looks pretty snazzy to boot.
