Cisco-Linksys WPC54G Wireless-G Notebook Adapter
by Linksys
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Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Cisco-Linksys WPC54G Wireless-G Notebook Adapter
Customer Review: Not good on Dell Notebooks
Summary: 1 Stars
I purchased all of the Wireless-G equipment for use with my Dell Lattitude D600 notebook (Router, Adapter, Print Server). Router and print server seem to work fine, but nothing but trouble with this adapter.
It wouldn't keep a signal and eventually started making my system hang - had to remove the card to get my other programs to unhang.
I hired a "computer guru" to come and fix it, assuming that a rookie like me had just screwed up the installation somehow. $160 bucks later, he couldn't fix it either. Bad card? Incompatibility? Who knows, but I found other Dell notebook users on other forums who were banging their head against the same brick wall.
Anyway, for anyone with the Dell notebook using the older Intel PRO/LAN 2100 3A built-in adapter (which also didn't like the new router), there is new firmware for the Intel adapter that you can download from the Dell support site. It will make the old adapter work fine with the WRT54G router, EXCEPT for the fact that this older card doesn't support WAP security. Anyway, to make an already long story a bit shorter, Dell has a replacement Mini PC card (replaces the old Intel PRO 2100 Card in the little door on the bottom of your notebook) that supports a/b/g wireless and all of the newer security. I wasn't too crazy about having an adapter that sticks out of the side of my computer, anyway! It is the Dell 1450 network adapter and Dell support will help you install it. Plus, it only costs $49.
Good luck to everyone! This wireless stuff can be a little confounding, so hope this might help someone.
Customer Review: Problems with Windows 2000
Summary: 3 Stars
Although Linksys claims compatibility with Windows 2000 for the WPC54G, I could not get the card to do DHCP IP addressing using a Sony laptop connected to a Linksys wireless WRT54G router/DHCP server/WAP. This was with a Windows XP Home tower PC already connected to the wireless router via a WUSB54G and working fine.
I just could not believe Linksys would make incompatible products. There must be a problem with my laptop, right? So after spending 3 long nights looking for old uninstalled remnants of past wireless programs and clients inside the Registry and chatting with Linksys tech service to no avail (I mean, the card would connect after all if you forced a temporary restart on the Linksys WLAN service using admin services, so it did seem like an internal conflict), I finally gave up on the Linksys WLAN monitor program.
I installed LucidLink Client 2.3 (freeware) and the card works fine. Bah on Linksys tech support for either not knowing or being unwilling to say they have a WLAN monitor 1.3 incompatibility problem with Windows 2000 and their own WRT54G router.
I would still buy Linksys wireless-G products - their range is great, the router is inside an aluminum Airstream trailer transmitting 100+ feet to inside a house with good reception. This is in Arizona with unoccupied trailer temperatures approaching 130 degrees (the trailer is over by the DirecPC dish, another story). Since most people have XP they will have no problems.
Customer Review: Attention windows XP users!!!!
Summary: 4 Stars
If your in mixed decisions about purchasing this product please be sure to read this. I had purchased this card originally to work in my old IBM Think pad running Windows 98 card worked great and had no problems. Bought a new laptop which is running windows XP home here is where the fun ends. and here is my summary. 1. There are a lot of known issues with this card and Windows XP. Microsoft has various "Hot Fixes" which are absolutly necesary! 2. If you are using a combination of Linksys Router and PCI card Make sure that all drivers and firmares are the absolute newest versions. 3. When installing the PCI card ****DO NOT****Install the software on the CD XP has software already installed called WIRELESS ZERO CONFIGURATION. When you put the pci card in it will ask you for the driver (your best bet would be to make sure you have the latest driver already downloaded! or on CD ready for install. 4. There are also issues with random connection drops. For more info on this card Please Go to GOOGLE and do a search on (TEK TIPS WPC54G) There is a large knowlege base of how to go about resolving any or all of these issues! I have also come to find out that there are various different problems with this card and other operating systems (Ie: ME,& 98 and 2k) However I am running both 98 & 2K computers and have no problems with either (I am using the latest drivers) I hope this helps! If you need more help feel free to e-mail me at nsfast @ optonline.netCustomer Review: WPC54G v2 & AES
Summary: 1 Stars
After purchasing the WPC54G v2, I was disappointed to notice that it evidently doesn't support AES. I'm using the Linksys Network Monitor v2.1 (also tried Funk Odyssey), and driver v6.0.0.18.
Linksys' website has the product data sheet for this card, which lists security as: WEP, AES, TKIP, 802.1x. The user guide, that came with the card, as well as the user guide posted to the website, speaks about AES as a selection. And the Network Monitor application, prompts you to choose, "from either TKIP or AES," only that AES is not listed in the drop down list.
From my reading posts, it appears that v2 doesn't support AES, while some other WPC54G versions do. The problem is that Linksys makes it very unlikely that you'll realize this before purchasing the card. Between their website, userguide, software, as well as all their retail channel partners listing AES as a supported protocol, you're destined to purchase the card and be disappointed once you attempt to configure AES.
After contacting Linksys, this is the clarification I received, "...AES is supported with the previous version which is WPC54G Version 1. There is no driver yet for the version 2 wireless-g adapter that supports AES as on the moment. Keep posted from the website for any updates with regards to the device. You can go to www.linksys.com..."
This doesn't really manage expectations, though, and leaves it likely that others may potentially experience the same confusion.
Customer Review: Save your money if you're trying to get this to work with Windows 2000!
Summary: 1 Stars
I purchased this item because it claimed it worked with Windows 2000. I have an old Win 2000 laptop with software I need, but don't need to (nor can afford to) upgrade. I just purchased a new Lexmark wireless printer (Pinnacle Pro901 All-in-One Printer - great printer BTW!). I needed to be able to print from the Win 2000 machine to the printer - so I thought I'd found my answer in this product as it claimed it worked with the Win 2000 OS.
I installed and reinstalled the software about 4 times. I also worked with their useless online support team over a period of about 5 days. On several occasions, the connection was severed. I can't be positive - but I think they just cut me off!
Well - I finally gave up and sent it back. BUT - I did find an adapter that worked! It's the AirLink101 AWLL6075 Wireless N Mini USB Adapter. It's small - but mighty!
When I installed it - the installation took awhile. I thought at first it had crashed and was just about to give up and restart when the software finished. If I remember correctly - it took about 15 minutes. FYI - my Win 2000 computer is old and slow - so the installation may go faster on your system. After it was finished, the computer found the wireless connection. I then installed the printer software (which also claimed to work on Win 2000 machines) and lo and behold - it worked!
Needless to say, I'll never purchase another Cisco-Linksys product again!!