Wireless adapter advice

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Kaos Kid
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Wireless adapter advice

Post by Kaos Kid »

I need to add a couple of wireless adapters to my network. I need something that will work with Win7. Currently I only have a Linksys WRT54GL and the adapters I currently have only do drivers up to WinXP so I would like to find something that is compatible with my Linksys Router and Win 7. Obviously I want to stay as cheap as possible. My router is in the basement and the boxes they will be on are upstairs but no more than about 20-25 ft max through the floor. Anybody have any suggestions about adapters they know about firsthand? Thanks!
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Re: Wireless adapter advice

Post by Darkstar »

im guessing u want USB adapters? are you running 32 bit or 64 bit Windows7? I have no problems with the Rangeplus but am running 32 bit, but it is supposed to be compatible with 64 bit too.

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Re: Wireless adapter advice

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USB would be nice, but I have available PCI slots. My HTPC currently has Win7-64 on it, and this box is currently XP but as soon as I find an adapter that will work with Win7 it will also get Win7-64. The other two boxes are just my kids boxes and they do just fine with WinXP and their WUSB54G adapters. The box I am on now (surfer, torrentbox) also has a WUSB54 adapter but it is a v.1 and for some reason constantly drops connections, so much that it is a PIA to keep having to repair the connection multiple times during the day, sometimes in the middle of a post. I figured since I need a new adapter anyway I may as well get one or two that support Win7 and upgrade this box while I'm at it.
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Re: Wireless adapter advice

Post by Sowser »

I use a Rosewill USB adapter that works great and it's only 25 bucks. The only drawback is that it puts out some heat so your ambient temp. has to be reasonable. Here's the Newegg link:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductLi ... e=Rosewill

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Re: Wireless adapter advice

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Thanks for the link to the search. I was hoping to see a specific recommendation so could you possibly narrow that down to the one you personally use? Thanks

PS I have been clicking through the LR links for all my purchases since I joined, its my pleasure to do so!
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Re: Wireless adapter advice

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Kaos Kid wrote:USB would be nice, but I have available PCI slots. My HTPC currently has Win7-64 on it, and this box is currently XP but as soon as I find an adapter that will work with Win7 it will also get Win7-64. The other two boxes are just my kids boxes and they do just fine with WinXP and their WUSB54G adapters. The box I am on now (surfer, torrentbox) also has a WUSB54 adapter but it is a v.1 and for some reason constantly drops connections, so much that it is a PIA to keep having to repair the connection multiple times during the day, sometimes in the middle of a post. I figured since I need a new adapter anyway I may as well get one or two that support Win7 and upgrade this box while I'm at it.
$19.99 if you have pci slots;

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6833124391
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Re: Wireless adapter advice

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hmmmm interesting that will definitely go on the list it is in my pricerange. Thanks!
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Re: Wireless adapter advice

Post by Darkstar »

as a bonus you can remove the antenna and add an extension or booster antenna if needed.

http://www.newegg.com/Store/SubCategory ... ccessories

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Re: Wireless adapter advice

Post by Sowser »

Hmmm, thought I was on the page. Here it is anyway.

Rosewill RNX-N1 IEEE 802.11b/g/n USB2.0 Wireless-N 2.0 Dongle (2T2R) Up to 300Mbps Data Rates/ WPA/WPA2 (AES, 64,128-WEP with shared-key authentication) Cisco CCS V1.0, V2.0 and V3.0
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Re: Wireless adapter advice

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Sowser wrote:Hmmm, thought I was on the page. Here it is anyway.

Rosewill RNX-N1 IEEE 802.11b/g/n USB2.0 Wireless-N 2.0 Dongle (2T2R) Up to 300Mbps Data Rates/ WPA/WPA2 (AES, 64,128-WEP with shared-key authentication) Cisco CCS V1.0, V2.0 and V3.0
Cool, thanks guys!

Anyone else is also welcome to expound upon the virtues of their favorite adapters as well...
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Re: Wireless adapter advice

Post by Zelig »

Have you considered getting a second WRT54GL (or other router), and setting it up as a wireless client?

This works especially well if you plugging several desktops into the client router.
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Re: Wireless adapter advice

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Zelig wrote:Have you considered getting a second WRT54GL (or other router), and setting it up as a wireless client?

This works especially well if you plugging several desktops into the client router.

I'm not sure I know what you mean. Please elaborate...
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Re: Wireless adapter advice

Post by Darkstar »

some wireless routers have a "client mode" setting that can be used to set the router as a client to receive the wireless signal. I think thats what he is suggesting, however you would need to plug the pc you were going to put the wireless adapter in to it. If it doesnt have a client mode you would need to install dd-wrt or similar software on the router. Easier and cheaper to just get a wireless adapter.

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Re: Wireless adapter advice

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Thanks for explaining. Actually if that were possible to use client mode for 2 separate computers in the same router it would be cheaper to get a used router that supports it. I'm assuming, though, that the router would make the two computers share the same LAN address which could be problematic. The reason I say that is because the 2 boxes I want adapters for are my surfer/torrentbox and my HTPC which are about 5 feet from each other. The hassle comes from trying to determine if a particular router indeed supports that application. I will classify that suggestion as a possibility if the opportunity presents itself, but otherwise I am still scoping out cheap adapters that will support Win7.
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Re: Wireless adapter advice

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Darkstar wrote:some wireless routers have a "client mode" setting that can be used to set the router as a client to receive the wireless signal. I think thats what he is suggesting, however you would need to plug the pc you were going to put the wireless adapter in to it. If it doesnt have a client mode you would need to install dd-wrt or similar software on the router. Easier and cheaper to just get a wireless adapter.

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Kaos Kid wrote:Thanks for explaining. Actually if that were possible to use client mode for 2 separate computers in the same router it would be cheaper to get a used router that supports it. I'm assuming, though, that the router would make the two computers share the same LAN address which could be problematic. The reason I say that is because the 2 boxes I want adapters for are my surfer/torrentbox and my HTPC which are about 5 feet from each other. The hassle comes from trying to determine if a particular router indeed supports that application. I will classify that suggestion as a possibility if the opportunity presents itself, but otherwise I am still scoping out cheap adapters that will support Win7.
Yes, you understood correctly.

You wouldn't share IP addresses; in this situation you'd probably run the client router in bridge mode, so the AP router would still do the DHCP for all the computers attached to the client router.

I just suggested it because it saves having to install and deal with wireless drivers/hardware on individual computers, but if you think adapters for each computer will be easier, go for that.
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Re: Wireless adapter advice

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Thanks Zelig, for your input. I like to research long and hard before I buy, so you have helped greatly.
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Re: Wireless adapter advice

Post by Darkstar »

Its actually a good solution (Zeligs) if you have 2 systems that close.

Zelig,

sounds like you have done it before, what about running Bridge mode? Is the router capable or needs new firmware?

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Re: Wireless adapter advice

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About the only negatives I can think of is that these are in my living room so I will have a router in sight and have to locate another power plug in. Right now with all the paraphernalia already hooked up (2 systems, computer speakers, LCD TV, Cable box, surround sound deck, powered sub for HTPC, etc. I already have 2 power strips filled up. What I need is wireless power transmission! :lol:

One positive I can think of is that I see Wireless-G routers on CL all the time for $20-30. The hard part is finding a model that will support the bridge mode you speak of. I haven't delved too deeply into how my router works, I have the Linksys WRT54GL with the latest official firmware. When I first got it I flashed it with DD-WRT but being a newbie I was quickly overwhelmed and put it back to official firmware so I could at least get manufacturer support. Would it be best for this application to flash it back to DD-WRT again?
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Re: Wireless adapter advice

Post by Darkstar »

DD-Wrt has alot mor options than the default firmware, or Tomato http://www.polarcloud.com/tomato

another one is sveasoft i think. :drinkers:
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Re: Wireless adapter advice

Post by Kaos Kid »

Which one would be the best for a clueless user to get the most benefit from (ie: best interface, easiest settings to see performance gains, etc.)?

I currently have one box wired to the router (my videdit box), two WinXP kids boxes for surfing and games (wireless with the WUSB54G adapters), one surfer/torrentbox/jukebox with WinXP and a flaky WUSB54Gv1 adapter, and one HTPC with Win7 Ultimate64 that I would like to get wireless. I have already tested and determined that the drivers and software for the WUSB54G will not work with Win7 Ultimate64 that is why I am looking for 2 adapters.
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