Plug and Play Wireless
Written: Jan 27 '07
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Pros: Easy to install. USB cable to provide distance from the CPU.
Cons: None for me
The Bottom Line: Good price, reliable easy to install
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| Chi106's Full Review: Belkin Wireless G USB (F5D7050) Network Adapter |
I installed a wireless 802.11b D-Link router about two years ago. It has worked like a charm broadcasting wireless Internet from the first floor to the second floor directly above. I recently decided to add another computer to the room adjacent to my office so that my wife could access her email etc without having to interrupt me to use my computer. We had a Pentium III running windows 98 laying around which I upgraded to XP. I began by installing another older Airtec wireless adapter which was nothing but trouble. Finally I trotted out to Micro Center to see what my alternatives were. The Belkin Wireless USB Network Adapter beckoned to me as it looked like it would be easy to install. Guess what? It was. Simply plug and play. I think part of the charm was using XP on both computers. Once you understand how to do it, it’s not that tough. In fact I bragged to my brother how easily I had done it and by the end of the day I had walked him through the process and his wireless network was also enabled.
In regard to the Belkin Wireless, the transmitter/receiver can be plugged directly into any available USB port or optionally attached to your computer via a provided USB cable connected to a stand that allows you to put some distance between it and your computer. This is important because there is a considerable amount of RF interference emanating from your CPU and/or monitor so being able to put it even a foot away will improve transmission and reception. In fact I have an adapter installed into my computer upstairs which has a small antenna attached to the back of the CPU as soon as the wireless is recognized the monitor starts getting little ripples consistent with RF interference. Some day I will swap that out for the Belkin or some similar version.
I did experience an instance were my Network connection was mysteriously wiped from my program and also at least one instance where the computer using the Belkin interface locked up. This was remedied by stopping the current URL running in task manager and moving on. I am not certain if these issues were related to the Belkin or not, however they are consistent with complaints other people have experienced and posted here at epinions. For me these have not been frequent enough to cause concern, so overall I am satisfied with the device.
The Belkin is compatible with both 802.11b and 802.11g. In my case it interfaced easily with my D-Link router and was an easy setup using Windows XP. Price about $40
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 40
Driver Availability: Don''t Know
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Epinions.com ID:
Chi106
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Location: Chicago,IL
Reviews written: 127
Trusted by: 10 members
About Me:
If practice makes perfect and no body is perfect --- why practice?
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