Wireless-G USB Network Adapter, 802.11g
1 Working, but not a recommended product
I had installed half a dozen of WUSB54G adapters, performance is ok while it's working, but it is just not stable enough especially some of the units are so close to the router that shouldn't have any problem.
2 Concur with below reviewer
I've set up a linksys network with a wrt54g router and initially two wusb54g clients. Transfer rates between the two clients hovered around 9-10Mbs. I took the two USB adapters back and traded them for the PCI adapters and that change alone boosted my transfer rate to around 30-35Mbs (still not the advertised rate... but hey, when do we ever get what was promised?) The USB adapters just don't seem to have the throughput.
3 Linksys WUSB54G Wireless-G USB Adapter
This unit comes with very Buggy software. It doesn't work well with WinXP. It needs a version upgrade. It also could use a firmware upgrade. Neither existed at the time I purchased it. The range is also less than that of "B".I have gone back to a WUSB11 which works much better on my wife's XP machine along with a Wap54g with speed booster. Since that machine has a NIC anyway I may try a wireless G ethernet adapter instead and get better range.
4 Good until stand by....
I, like you, were reading reviews on this device and saw mixed responses. Purchased the product 2 days ago and here's what I found;
Device works great when you install the device and will continue to work correctly until you shut down your CPU or it goes to standby or sleep. After sleep mode or stand by, I had to manually assign the device an IP address then "ping" for test in the IPCONFIG. HASSLE and there's no way my wife could have figured this out. There is something not correct with the software for this device after you turn off your drivers.
Spent 45 minutes on the 24 hour support from Lynksys and they couldn't figure the problem either so they said I have a OS problem. Funny.
Today I purchased Motorola's version pn 512720-001-00 and have had no problems.
Final comments, if you are running Windows XP and never plan to shut down your CPU or turn onto standby, this is a great product. For the 98% of us that send our CPU's to sleep, proceed with caution!
5 Started out great, but became unpredictable...
I set up this wireless adapter to connect with my fiance's Microsoft 802.11g wireless router (about 6 feet away from my computer) and at first, it was a great connection, never had any problems. But lately, it drops the connection, 1-2x per day now even though my fiance's cable internet connection is fine, and I have a lot of trouble getting it to re-connect. My error message says it's connecting to the router but the router is not connecting to the Internet, which totally isn't true. We can't figure out what the problem is - perhaps compatibility issues between Linksys and Microsoft - but I know I have to reboot my computer several times and even re-enter the WEP key since for some reason, the Linksys software doesn't save it automatically. I can't figure out how the connection can drop so often when we're literally only about 5-6 feet from one another in the same room. Basically, I'm searching for another adapter at this point.
6 Not owrth the frustration
I purchased this device along witha new Linksys -G "booster" router. On two computers, an A/G Linksys USB adapter was connected and worked fine. Irrespective of which computer I tried to install the WUSB54G adapter, it would not work. I paid an I.T. expert $75 per hour to help. We called Linksys. The representative in India could not help us. I sent an email and was told the same thing. It took over two hours and a literal argument to get agreement from a Linksys rep in Manila to agree to replace the new device. Perhaps it will get replaced and work. Perhaps it will still not work. If a bright professional I.T. expert cannot get this to work, there may for some reason be incompatabilities if it is simultneously used with A/G deviecs. However, I have another Motorolla newtarok adapter and a Belkin lap top adapter which work fine with the new router. Linksys and CISCO should be ashamed and take heed. Their support and customer service are unacceptable and should nto be tolerated. I may lose several hundred doallars in payment for I.T. suppoort and $50- $100 to purchase a competing manufacturer's USB Network adapter to get matters rectivied. However, they will lose a customer and a reputation. What matters most to them probably is their coporate profit and the diretcors' incmes...how sad! LINKSYS should read these comments on AMAZON.
7 It just works
I used to use Netgear and I had to many problems so I switched to Linksys. We have three usb adapters now and we have not had a problem with any of them. Linksys is the way to go.
8 NO NO NO NO
I bought the Linksys WUSB54G Wireless-G USB Adapter for use with a Win XP laptop. The software installed but refused to run and just flashed a DLL error about every 10 seconds.
I downloaded new software from the LinkSys website that turned out to be two versions OLDER than what shipped with the product.
After finding several other people who had similar results and had posted about it on the internets, needless to say, I returned this product as defective.
9 Simple, inexpensive solution for wireless networking
I purchased my first USB adapter as an add-on when I bought my daughter a desktop computer about six months ago and am a true believer in this simple solution for connecting new and existing systems to a home or office wireless network.
USB alternatives like this have made wireless desktop and notebook cards obsolete. You no longer have to crack the case or install and configure new drivers ... it can't get any easier! And if you get a new system or want to enable another, it's as easy as disconnect, connect and go.
I would especially recommend this model for those who already own or are considering Linksys wireless-G networking products such as a router, range expander or print server since they are designed from the ground up to be compatable with each other. Having the most up-to-date operating system software and service packs installed is always a good idea, too.
If you don't, that doesn't mean you should expect to have problems, nor should it discourage you from making a purchase. And be sure to read all the other product reviews to learn from the experiences of others, both good and bad.
10 works
does what it is supposed to do. i have no drops or lost connections. works fine. use the windows xp wireless interface instead OF LINKSYS. IT WORKS BETTER
11 Complete disappointment
The adapter was working great until I decided to upgrade to a new computer. While I thought installation would be easy plug and play, it was not. After four calls to Linksys tech support and installing numerous driver updates, I still cannot connect the computer to the router (as a side note, I have another computer in the network NOT using a Linksys adapter, and it connects just fine).
Save yourself the trouble, and do not buy this adapter.
12 A Cute USB adpater
Small, stable and good signal.
It doesn't work at the first time. When I changed DHCP to a static IP, it works well. Eventually, I found my NetGear router assigned two IPs that conflict.
13 Working Great!
Purchased this wireless adapter same time I ordered the Linksys wireless router around middle of Sept. '04. I just plugged it in and started using it. At first the signal strength was 2 to 3 bars and I wanted better so I bought an extension cable from Radio Shack and relocated the adapter on the same floor as the router inside a closet. Now the signal is full strength and the data flow is at its maxium. Since installed, haven't had any issues with it at all.
14 If You Want USB, This is the Way to Go...
I didn't want to install a PCI card.
I read reviews for almost all of the USB adapters. I saw the problems many said they were having with this one. Even so I went ahead and ordered it and I am glad that I did. It took me a little longer to figure it out than I wanted it to. I also downloaded the most recent firmware which was recommended in one of the amazon.com reviews.
This thing works flawlessly! It also shows well. I am using the encryption, so when I shut down the connection it has to be restablished. I found that by clicking on the XP wireless icon and then going to "repair" it sets it right back on track in 20 seconds or so.
I think if I had purchased another brand, as recommended by C|Net, etc, I would have been sorry. This stuff (I got a WRT54GS Router at the same time) is really something. I knew nothing about setting up a wireless connection. True the manual that comes with the router, etc. is in need of some major help, but it is worth the hassel (if any). Once you get it going it is smooth, fast, reliable, and dependable and it doesn't get better than that!
15 like J&R
have bought a bunch of stuff from J&R and it comes quickly and in good condition. the linksys wireless g adaptors were a good price and work well. no problems in installing the adaptors on several different computers and operating systems. the usb adaptors are nice because you can place them in a location to maximize the range. the new version comes with some velcrow so you can put it on a laptop or keep it from sliding off a computer case.
16 PIECE OF JUNK, DON,T WASTE YOUR MONEY
Product actually doesn't deserve any stars as I have been unable to get 2 different units to work. This is even after talking with Linksys customer service which was actually very helpful but concluded the unit was just too far from router. Yet, it can see the other 13 networks on the block, but can't connect to any of them, even mine. I am not just bad-mouthing Linksys as I have a 54G router and 54G notebook card that work great. No problems. But this model is a TOTAL PIECE OF JUNK. PLEASE DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY.
17 Do the updates
I installed this Wireless-G USB Adapter with absolutely no problems. The problems occurred when I tried to the WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy).
I was connecting to a Linksys WRT54 Wireless-G Broadband Router and had done the firmware update on the router and setup the router with WEP enabled. The Wireless-G adapter would NOT connect with WEP. It would, however, connect with NO security enabled.
I decided to get the latest patch from Linksys for this adapter and that solved my WEP security issues and I've had no issues since doing the patch.
I must say though, that I would like to use the WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access) which is a far stronger protocol that fixes the weaknesses in WEP. Problem is, although the Wireless Router and Wireless-G Adapter support WPA, they only support WPA in XP and I am using the adapter on Win 2000.
Other than that, I think this is a great product from Linksys. As with any hardware, you always want to get the latest firmware or driver to keep everything up to date.
18 Great for my needs!
I see a lot of mixed reviews for this product. But if you are someone that isn't terribly technical and doesn't download big files, this USB adapter is perfect. I do not have a need for super-duper quick internet, just super quick, which this will provide. I had the NetGear PCI Card previously. The card was very easy to install, but it would not pick up my network. On top of that, their Customer Service was a joke. I got someone in India that barely spoke English and he could not help me. Anyway, this adapter is perfect for searching the net and smaller downloads...i.e. iTunes.
19 Poor sensitivity is a killer in this product
I got a USB version of a wireless adapter so that I could easily put it on the roof of my car for war driving. I also figured with the pop up antenna it would be more sensitive. No such luck. Outside of 20 feet from the access point, the device is very unreliable. Even inside 20 feet it isn't all that great. I don't recommend this product.
20 Handy Physical Installation, Good Software Installation
I have a SOHO that uses a wired 10/100 switched network. Already part of this network is a Linksys single port Cable / DSL Router. When it came time to make the jump to wireless, the WAP54G seemed the logical choice, as I would not have to reconfigure anything on my existing network. For my initial conversions, I was converting a desktop PC and an older laptop. For this review, I'll be discussing at the WUSB54G. Look for reviews on all these items posted separately.
I decided on the WUSB54G because I did not have any available internal slots. This computer may be replaced in a year or two, and unplugging the network card from a USB port seemed a lot more attractive than opening the case. Actually, the installation is almost a simple as plugging the adapter into an available USB port.
My initial installation was using Version 2.0 of the installation software. The significance of that will be explained later. Regardless of your version of Windows, I suggest installing the software first. This will eliminate any potential problems in the installation process. Make sure you know your network name and WEP Key. You will need to supply that information during installation or you will not be able to connect right away. If you don't have the key handy, it can be input later, but it is not as convenient.
The Wizard does a good job of walking you through each step. Once done, you will need to reboot. Don't disconnect from the wired network just yet. Wait until the next phase is completed. On boot, you computer should detect the new hardware and install the correct drivers for it. The next step could take a while, so be patient. Your new wireless network card will search for a signal, an access point, and you should be prompted when a network is found. If more than one network is detected, a distinct possibility with the proliferation of wireless networks, you will quickly realize the advantages of naming you network something other that the default and of applying a WEP Key to your network.
The initial connection took about two minutes, but seemed a lot longer! You will see an icon on the Bottom Right of the Task Bar indicating you are connected. I do one final check by opening a command prompt and using the command "ipconfig /all" to show all my adapters. If there's a difference in IP addressing ranges, reboot one more time. If both the wired and wireless connections show IP address in the same range, you're ready to unplug the wired connection. Now try opening your web browser. If you can surf, you're all done.
My experience with this installation was very positive. The wizard was friendly, the physical installation could not have been easier, I had all the information on hand I needed and I was wireless after the first reboot. I'm using this adapter with a G network and I'm getting the full throughput.
One final note: this installation went so smoothly I got another adapter from a local dealer that had a price too good to pass up. When I got home, however, I noticed a small sticker that said this was for Windows 2000 and Windows XP only. I then noticed the serial number and installation software said version 1.0. Hmmm... this was going on a Windows 98SE machine. The hardware specs looked identical, from what I could determine from the box, so I tried an experiment and used the version 2.0 software. It worked just fine. BEWARE: this is not an endorsement that this will work in every case nor should you conclude there is no difference between versions. I strongly suggest you try to get the latest version hardware and software for optimal performance.
21 Flawed product
I was wondering if it were me.
There is a design problem with this product. It does not provide adequate connectivity -- it simply drops the signal without any interference. I tested the signal strength in various locations, even placing the wireless router next to this device and still had sporadic loss of signal.
Linksys should take this product off the market and apologize to those of us that purchased this thing. Yes, it is that bad.
Also, as an aside, all connectivity goes away when the digital phone was being used. I have teenagers...
22 WUSB54G Adapter Uselss!
I brought these adapters a week ago to upgrade my network. I have a Linksys WRT54G router and notebook adapter WPC54G for my laptop. The two older USB network adapters from Linksys I used were working fine. I just wanted to upgrade my network to G mode. Big mistake!. I have spent 12 hr trying to get the new WUSB54G adapters working. I have the same problem as other reviewers. Get good signals but no/slow internet connection. The transfer rate fluctuate widely from 1 to 54 mbps. All the other computers work fine. The only good thing is it has been easy to reach Linksys technical support.
23 WUSB54G Poor at best
It was very easy to install and I like the size, the problem is performance. I think there is a flaw in the design of their receivers. I am connected to a Linksys WAP54G with 128 bit encryption. At 80 feet from the access point with a medium signal strength, I watch the bitrate fluctuate from 2 to 54mbps and every point in between at a rate of once per second. The internet connection was unusable. So I moved the Access Point to being 5 feet away. You would expect to see the performance pegged, right? Though the signal strength was pegged, the bitrate jumped around between 24 and 54 mbps. The internet was quite usable at 5 feet. In both of these tests I took a second computer, my laptop with built-in wireless, and put it next to my computer with the WUSB54G. It had no bitrate fluctuation and the performance was great. (So it isn't my access point). Right now I am shopping for another USB adapter and this one will be placed in my bottom desk drawer, my electronic equipment graveyard. I am professionally trained in electronics. This shouldn't be so hard.
24 Good adapter, now supports WPA in XP
I was a little hesitant to purchase this adapter several months back because I was aware that it didn't support WPA encryption (which is far more secure than the old WEP encryption). Because I moved into a new apartment and I needed two computers, I went ahead and purchased this adapter anyway. I was pleased at how easy it was to set up and use, and I was able to get 128-bit WEP encryption to work with my WRT54G router in almost no time. I figured that I can continue using the adapter and change my WEP key every once in a while to prevent hackers from entering my network.
I went to Linksys's support site earlier today and I am very happy to find out that there is a driver update posted with WPA support under Windows XP!! Not only was I able to easily set up WPA-PSK with this adapter, but my machine can now communicate with the router using the more secure AES encryption protocol!
I am only giving this adapter four stars for two reasons: first, there doesn't appear to be any native Linux support for it. I couldn't get the Prism driver to work with the adapter, even in the slower 802.11b mode. I suppose that I really ought to be using an Ethernet bridge (such as the WET54G) if I need to connect this PC using Linux.
In addition, the adapter didn't include the Funk Odyssey client that normally ships with the WPC54G and WMP54G adapters. From what others have told me, the Funk client is much more featureful and easier to use than the Windows XP Wireless Zero Configuration feature.
Overall, I am very happy with this adapter and I will recommend it to other Windows XP users.
25 Works Great
I use two USB adapters along with a Linksys Wireless G router and a wireless PCI adapter. Everything works great. Remember to upgrade your firmware and your drivers once you are connected!
26 Great little unit
I always try to use LInksys products when I sell and set up networks for customers. They are priced right and in my experience perform excellently. I have purchased hundreds of Linksys units and I can not ever recall having a serious failure.
I bought a boxfull of these little adapters for quick hookups for laptops not normally connected to the network. They are fast connect right away and just plain work.
The only thing I have noticed about these are that they are more sensitive to cordless phones than the PC card adapters. I have no idea why, but they will drop off in the vicinity of Panasonic and Uniden phones. Sony and ATT phones don't bother it. Go figure.
27 Very simple install
Took very little time to install. The G router is two floors up. Getting very good signal strength. Very happy.
28 A very poor product
I purchased the WUSB54G because it was supposed to be faster than my current WUSB11. However, it never worked or performed up to par. After numerous calls to Linksys it still will not connect to my network when I boot the computer. I have to manually click connect from the Linksys program. Linksys claims it is a driver problem, however the have not updated the driver in 8 months. Also, the range of the WUSB54G is poor at best. The only time I ever connnected at a speed of 40Mbps or higher is when I had my laptop in the same room as the wireless router (Linksys as well). All in all I give this product 1 star. It appears as if Linksys might have rushed to get this product to market before thorougly testing and working the bugs out.
29 Novice Nightmare
The router installed with no problem, this USB adapter was not easy to install, driver installed just fine, but it would not recognize the router. My 1st phone call to a tech was a woman with a strong accent which I could not place, useless. Gave it one more shot before pure frustration would have made me return the adapter. My second call resulted in a very knowledgeable tech, she had me run upstairs and down 5 different times to configure both computers, but it was worth it, the speed and range surprised me. This is a good product, just lacking in good installation documentation.
30 Does not work with WEP and XP at 15 ft from access point!
Just getting to this point of being able to type in my review after having done some searches to try and figure out why on earth I'm having such problems has meant I have had to 'manually reconnect' to the network over 7 times in the past 40 minutes. I'm using WinXP Pro and the Linksys USB NIC is using WAP to connect to my tried and tested D-Link access point. Every few minutes, the Windows XP Pro/ Linksys WUSB54G drops the network connection - and then comes back with the bubble in the bottom saying 'there are wireless networks available to connect to'. I then have to 'manually' select the bubble and click 'connect' to get reconnected. First, it is a major PITA to do this every few minutes and second, dropping connection is one thing, but requiring me to manually reconnect is UNACCEPTABLE. My old D-Link PCMCIA card in the laptop has no problems maintaining a connection from over 3 times the distance. This thing cannot keep it going over 15 feet!
I will say that my access point is a D-Link 802.11b access point but is WiFi compatible and this 802.11g card is supposed to work with b devices flawlessly. Obviously not. Being a systems and network admin, I've got zero patience for such games and poor design on my home systems as I have enough troubleshooting during the day. This piece of junk is going back to the store tomorrow.
My recommendation - avoid this thing. Its either a Windows XP problem or a Linksys problem or a lie about 802.11b/g compatibility, but whatever the case - until they fix it, they are NOT getting my money.
Just in typing these few paragraphs, I've had to manually reconnect 4 times!
31 Very disappointed
Drops connection all the time. And this is a known bug .... sigh.
32 Worst product in this category
Installed on XP easily. They it drops connection frequently,
with 100% CPU usage afterwards and no reconnection. All other
adapters work perfectly in this house. Now i am going to replace
it with a FAR Gigafast adapter .... what a joke !
33 This is the most confusing adapter
Hi I just got my Linksys WUSB54G installed with the WRT54G wireless router. I've read that this adapter doesn't support WPA, is this true? Cause for some reason I got it to work with WPA-PSK on both the router and adapter on Windows XP. In order to have the WPA feature for the adapter, you must run windows update and have the WPA security installed.
The adapter says it only supports Windows XP and 2000, yet when I tried installing it on 98SE, it worked perfectly fine except that there's no WPA feature nor is there a windows update to get the WPA security, so I'm using WEP instead. In order to get it to work, I had to use the software program that the adapter came with, where I configure the SSID, etc.
Does anybody know if there is a way to get WPA on windows 98se, and is there a way to configure the wireless connection other than using the software it came with?
If you go to wi-fi.org and check to see if the adapter is wi-fi protected access, the label has that feature checked, so does it mean it supports WPA or not?
34 No Driver for Win98SE!!
Linksys doesn't bother to highlight the fact that it is the only USB-G adapter that doesn't work with WIN98SE. Netgear and D-Link's units do. There isn't any technical reason for this that I can think of, so they must be too lazy to modify one of their drivers? Cisco better get on their case.
35 good idea bad concept
Have all linksys router works great laptop pcmcia card is flawless,but this thing a piece of junk.When it works is good for web surfing but cuts off too much.Tech support online was able to help me make it about 25% better by changing settings but still cuts off.Ended up just running cat5 to desktop.
36 Unlisted Limatations
I bought the Linksys WRT54G router and it worked flawlessly. So I decided to stick with the company when I wanted to untether my desktop from the router. I purchased this item, only to find when it arrived that it does not support WPA encryption. So in order to use it I need to change my entire security configuration. There is no driver update, and their tech support told me 'they are working on a new driver' but provided no date. So if you don't mind leaving your network less secure, this is the adapter for you. Otherwise look somewhere else.
37 Great Product
At first, I was an angry customer too...just like many of you who wrote negative reviews. Then after I uninstalled the stupid LAN or WAN utility that was on the CD, it worked flawlessly!
Just install the drivers! Forget about any other miscellaneous stuff.
38 Unreliable, slow and no tech support. Do not buy.
I replaced my Belkin Wireless-B USB adapter with this one (I am using these with a Belkin Wireless-G router). Big mistake -- transfers are nearly twice as slow and the signal is lost intermittently. I tried to contact Linksys to address these issues by phone, waited on hold for over two hours, and was finally disconnected. I then sent a detailed e-mail to tech support describing my problems, but received no response.
The Belkin-b is cheaper, faster and more reliable than this adapter, and Belkin has great tech support, if needed.
39 works fine in XP
I had no problem getting this to work in XP Home Edition (with USB 2.0, and a Linksys wireless-G access point). It uses USB power, so no extra hassle with a power supply, and it's very small (it comes with two-sided tape to keep it nailed down if needed --- it's THAT small). Through 4 walls in my home I get a signal of "very good" which has been perfectly adequate for my needs. It works OK for online gaming (I tried Call of Duty), except that I get occassional interruptions which I have since discovered are due to a mouse and keyboard also using the USB pipeline. I'd go with a PCI device for a lot of gaming, otherwise the sheer convenience of this adapter is hard to beat.
40 Simply does not work with Windows XP. Buy at your own risk!
The signal received by the WUSB54G installed on three different Windows XP machines flunctuates quite a bit, from very good to very low, and at which point it drops the connection. Other wifi client devices in the same area suffer no such phenomenon, using the same WRT54G router.
Based on the comments from other users of this device, this is an inherent defect of the WUSB54G. I recommend that Amazon not sell this item any more, as it simply does not work with Windows XP (despite Linksys claims that it does).
This is not my first experience with a Linksys product that simply does *not* work! However, it will definitely be my last.
41 Piece of cake to install and setup
I purchased the Wireless-G Router (WRT54G), Wireless-G notebook adapter (WPC54G) and this Wireless-G USB Adapter (WUSB54G). I ordered them on a Friday night, they were shipped on Saturday and I received them on Monday around 4:00 pm. I opened all 3 boxes and had all installed by 5:00 pm that same day. These were a piece of cake to install and set up. I have 2000 on my laptop and XP home on the desktop. I really can't believe how easy this was to set up. I had put off getting these for months because I figured it would be my luck that I'd buy the wrong items or installation would be a nightmare. It wasn't. The connection hasn't failed once since installation. The router is located in my basement office (where the DSL cable modem is) and the desktop that utilizes the USB Adapter is on the main floor at the opposite end of our home. The signal is good (although not 100% obviously), but good enough that it is 10 times better than the dial up we had on that PC. I have taken the laptop in all rooms of our home (main floor and basement) and love the freedom I have to work where ever I want without losing my internet connection.
I am very satisfied.
42 Don't Buy This For TiVo!
This is just a correction to a review that "kish" posted a while ago, regarding compatibility with TiVo's Home Media Option.
I purchased this adapter based largely on the statement "kish" made saying the beta software upgrade supported this adapter. It does not. TiVo does not support _ANY_ Wireless-G adapters. Period.
What "kish" is referring to is actually the WUSB11 USB Adapter, also manufactured by Linksys, which is an 802.11b device. The firmware version 2.6 is currently supported by TiVo, and the 2.8 is supported pending a beta software update available from TiVo (you can request it for free from TiVo's website).
So, please, don't buy this product for TiVo. I'm sure they'll eventually add support for Wireless-G products in the future, but it's not there yet.
43 Easy use for Network Novice
I purchased the wireless B router and WUSB.11 and set up a desktop without all the messy wires. It was pretty easy. Initially I had millenium edition of windows and there was a big problem with hooking it up. I gave up (packed it back up and threw into a closet) and when a purchased a new computer with XP it set up very easily. I then purchased a Wireless G notebook adapter for my laptop and it too worked well without the wires. My G54mpbs card only gets 11mbps because of my router. I sometimes need to reboot (once a week) but I am online very frequently with few problems. I do not drop off as I have read in other reviews. One of the better options is that all the equipment is backward and forward compatible so when I get a G 54mbps router I will not have to upgrade my desktop unless I want more than the 11mbps (it is in the kid's room so not really necessary). I am going to hook up a second desktop and will be purchasing a Wireless USB.54G. All in all I gave it 4 stars for the ease that I, a total network novice, was able to set it up and I have no messy wires around. I can't wait until the digital cable becomes wireless.
44 Too slow ! Go for PCI instead ..
I am using this on a home network with a Netgear Wireless-G access point. On the same wireless network, I have a Netgear PC card (WG511) and a D-Link PCI Adapter (DWL-G520). Installation and set up couldn't be easier (I installed on Windows XP), but the speed is very disappointing. It shows the connection speed with the access point as 54Mbps, but when I do a speed test with my ISP, I get less than 300Kbps (downstream) whereas my other clients constantly give 1.2Mbps. I believe it is the limitation of USB. On normal browsing, I don't notice any difference, but big downloads are very time consuming. I had bought this to save PCI slots, but I think I made a wrong move.
My piece of advice - buy this only if you don't have a vacant PCI slot and if you don't do any big downloads. If you have a vacant PCI slot, go for the PCI version because that is definitely more compact and efficient. If you don't have a PCI slot, I would recommend you make one by getting rid of adapters that you don't use (like a modem).
45 Product is not reliable.
I've had this over a month (and too late to send back). Product is a bid twitchy on windows 2000 as it takes several minutes before it gets to the internet. After that it stays on although it does drop occasionally.
On XP, it drops alot more and the wlan monitor software REFUSES to load. Also, this specific G product doesn't support WPA security...which is ok. I never got wep on this usb adapter to work with xp anyway.
My setup:
54G Linksys wireless router upstairs and computers in another room downstairs. I also have a wireless card (don't know the brand on my laptop motherboard and a D-Link Air-Plus Xtreme which I just purchased on a Dell 4100. The connectivity of the non-linksys wireless cards with the linksys 54G router is absolutely fantastic. Even the laptop usb B is good.
Conclusion from my experience and other reviews on Amazon: Linksys 54G Wirless 4-port router is good but stay away from the linksys wireless pci, usb, and cardbus wireless adapters based on the reviews.
Cisco had better straighten out Linksys soon or this division will die.
46 Signal Fluctuates
The signal and speed fluctuates constantly! I dont think this device is as powerful as a PCI wireless ethernet card. If you can - go the wireless PCI card route. I bought this for the portability and it is OK for that - but it drops connections for no reason and you have to reboot or disconnect/reconnect the USB cable for it to reattach to the preferred network. I also have a Linksys 54g pcmcia card and Linksys 54g pci card - both work a lot better than the usb wireless device.
47 Lots of problems with XP
It seems to work fine with 2000, but when I hooked it up to a computer with XP the connection keeps droppping. I thank the hardware is fine and once they get the bugs out of the software it will be a good unit.
48 unreliable at best -- a product that needs help
A short review, to be updated as the user experience continues:
I got this unit in place of a wireless ethernet because of the price and the size. It is powered by USB so it saves wire clutter. I am running out of PCI ports so that this was selected as an alternative. Here is a simple breakdown:
Likes:
-Small size, portability, ease of connection
Dislikes (minor annoyances omitted--only major flaws):
-Signal fluctuates quite a bit, from very good to very low, and at which point it drops connection. Other wifi devices in the same area suffers no such phenomenon, using the same WRT54G router.
-Not capable of being used in a windows network in XP (cannot select it as a network device) -- still investigating.
-Needs a driver to be connected, instead of the universality of a standard ethernet WIFI connection (WET54g, for example).
-The software stinks. It offers few additional features if at all. Might as well use windows network software instead.
-The connection would often drop after a while, without warning, and there is no way for me to reconnect to the available networks. At this point I have to unplug and reconnect to reset the unit. Doing this sometimes causes system to freeze in XP, and task manager shows that "system" process is using all the system resources. I will have to hard reboot, which of course comes with all the unplesantry of system crashes, which does not happen in xp that often otherwise.
I am recommending against the product, becuase of the above reasons. It has wasted countless hours with reconfiguration woes, and sporatic disconnections due to the signal/reception fluctuation simply erode the user experience (net streaming media never comes in one piece). I picked Linksys systems over the cheaper Netgear just to change flavor, but this WUSB54G in particular seem to deserve much more attention before it should be considered by anybody. Caveat emptor.
49 Works with Tivo Beta upgrade (4.0.1)
I got this from Amazon but my tivo would not recongnize the v2.8 that amazon ships ( tivo only supported v2.6). Tivo recently released a beta upgrade that will support the v2.8.
50 Wireless internet rocks!
This is a great addition to anyone's home computer network, especially if you don't enjoy tripping over piles of wires/cables etc. This worked as soon as i hooked it up to my XP Pro desktop(homebuilt). It connected to my wireless G router right away and i was on the net. I thought i was "the man" so i tried to network my wireless desktop with my wireless laptop, and then my whole desktop crashed and couldn't "find" the internet anymore, even though the connection was strong. I ended up restoring XP to an earlier date, reinstalled the wireless adapter, and was on the net once again. Note to self: Leave networking to the damn pro's...stick with wireless internet...
