NETGEAR - USB - Wi-Fi Adapter

Works well with my old desktop and old notebook so far. I have returned DX-EBUSB for this one, no dropped connection now. It's stable.

I shared the same aggravating installation problems with other reviewers. Using the NETGEAR CD and either the NETGEAR software fully or the Windows Zero Configuration process as an assist, I got into a situation where the system reported that my Access Point had a very strong signal, but that the connectivity was weak with the WG111v3. After disconnecting the Ethernet cable used during the setup to download software updates, a connection to the Internet could not be maintained or reinitiated. The workaround that some suggest does succeed: when the system is rebooted and a good signal is reported, deliberately disconnect (!!!) (using the tools from the tray to find the available networks). Then immediately reconnect. Things should now work, but this has to be done at every reboot, and is absurd. It can take the uninitiated hours to discover this, if at all. A better solution is simply to not use NETGEAR’s instructions at all. You will lose NETGEAR’s little visual meter that shows how much usage you’ve had, but so what? Here’s what to do: 1) Uninstall (using Windows Control Panel) the NETGEAR software, and remove the device, if you’ve already attempted to use it. 2) Temporarily hardwire your machine to the Internet with an Ethernet cable (move your machine this one time to your router). You need this for Windows to find the right drivers. 3) Plug in the WG111v3. Windows will tell you that it has found new hardware. 4) When Windows asks if you have a disk with software, say NO, even though you do. Force Windows to connect online to find the drivers in its database. It will, and then it will correctly install the device. All you have to do is enter the correct password for your Access Point when asked. 5) Disconnect the Ethernet cable and move your machine to wherever you want. It should now be connected, even after turning off the machine and then repowering it up. (Above based on a Windows XP Pro machine, connecting with a DSL Modem/Wireless Gateway). An installation process that takes hours to discover and results in a quirky system can be replaced with one that takes five minutes and works. Before I knew that, I would fail the product on ease of use and installation. After learning that a bare bones approach actually works, and sacrifices nothing of value, I would give it very good marks. But will the user know what to do? I would recommend this to a friend only with the instructions above, otherwise I would tell them to avoid it like the plague. So I average out my scores. I noticed no performance problems mentioned by others (cutting out, heat) using it diagonally across a 2200 square foot house, from first to second floor. It could handle an Internet download of a 250 MB file, and then wirelessly transfer it to another computer in the house. It could play a Hulu TV program for an hour, and not overheat.

The wireless card in my 2007 Toshiba laptop is no longer usable. When I purchased this product, I found it easy to install (and I am not tech savvy). It does allow me to connect my laptop with my new Netgear wireless router, which is wonderful. However, I could not get it to connect with my original wireless router. I had a wonderful Geek Squad tech fixing my PC, so I requested that she set up a new (Netgeard) router and connect it to the laptop with my new adaptor. It worked very well. I thought the price is very reasonable for the importance of its function. On the down side, every time I go online with it, I have to go through a pop-up box clicking on this and that to ensure it is connected. That step is annoying and the info in the pop-up is confusing. The adaptor also sticks out awkwardly from the side USB port and is easily bumped around.

Didn't work that well. Signal not strong enough to reliably connect to main router without drops

This adapter will work perfectly if you don't install the software included. I had to wire my pc and just pop in the adapter, the drivers installed automatically and then I had no issues finding my router. Before, I had installed the CD it came with and had nothing but problems finding the router. I could get it connected but when I'd restart my pc it would go back to having issues connecting. Works just fine without the CD setup.

For some reason my youngin's beloved G4 Mac would not work with the new Apple Time capsule, unfortunately the Airport card was not designed to work with the new technology according to Apple. I thought all was lost and almost dumped a perfectly good Mac as it would not connect to the home network (No web and wireless printer access), thankfully the Geek squad pointed me to the Netgear wireless USB adapter; not only was it priced just right, it easily recognized the home Apple network and it works perfectly with the Apple Time capsule. Downloads at incredible speeds. The one grip: The install CD did not include the Apple drivers only Windows drivers. (REALLY Netgear??). Unfortunately I had to drag the G4 to the Time capsule and hook it up with a land cable and download the driver from Netgear's site, after that no problems..... works fine wirelessly....

My desktop has never been wi-fi capable... I was quite tired of my room being the only source to connect to the internet.. so I decided to move it to a different location while in mind I knew I needed a wireless adapter to keep it up and running... a thorough search online to find the best adapter well I kind of became mislead and hesitant on what to get because all the reviews were shaming the high class adapters (around $70) I thought wireless adapting sucked and I was going to try a pci card but I have never had any luck on putting things back together after having taken them apart for the first time... I was inspired by a relative to just go get a wireless usb adapter he had one and it worked great... so I went to best buy picked one up and ever since it has worked as a charm! Every review I seen about these little toys were fictional.

This adapter installed relatively easily, and the connection was strong. My main issue with this adapter was that when I rebooted my laptop (Windows XP), it would say that I was connected, when in fact, I wasn't. I would have to go into my network connections and click disconnect; then I'd have to reconnect. Just seemed to be an inconvenience that I didn't need. I tried rebooting with the adapter in, and with the adapter out. Either way, manual intervention was required. Also, what's with that Netgear window that always pops up?!?!? Didn't seem to serve much of a purpose. Again, once this thing was really connected, it worked fine. I just found the manual intervention to be an unnecessary inconvenience. I ended up taking it back, and I replaced it with another brand - one that would automatically connect on startup.