Confirmed: Compaq Wireless Router $49, Wireless USB or PC card $29.99 at Radio Shack B&M

[yogurt]

I picked up a router today at the Radio Shack in Livingston Mall, NJ. According to inventory they still had one in stock, but who knows if it's really there or not (they had to find this one in the back). Reportedly the one in Madison had one as well, but when I called they could not find it.

It works like a charm; I've been using it with one of the US Robotics PCMCIA cards that was selling for $30 some months ago. I'm using it as an access point (my "router" is a VPN box) with the latest firmware version (2.08, Jan 10 2003). This includes a few new security features, I think (could have been there before). The SSID/"Network Name" can be hidden - it is not broadcast so those wishing to use the wireless LAN must know the right name. WEP was easy to set up. Access control by MAC address can be either inclusive (only allow the following) or exclusive (forbid the following). Signal appears good everywhere I tried, though the house I live in is not that big.

 

[caribiner23]

I have a similar setup to yogurt and the others in that I am using the Compaq as an access point rather than a router.

I zapped the unit with the new firmware that was posted here (thanks!) and configured it as my main router, then reconfigured it as an access point only and put my Netgear router back in place.

I have a Netgear MA401 card in my PC.

I am typing this using the wireless connection right now. I am three rooms away from the access point and I am at about 70%. I am sure other units can beat this, but for me this is really sweet.

 

[paggy]

With the compaq iPAQ I am getting a low signal quality. Is there any was to boost the signal of PCMCIA card?

 

[Joemonkey]

paggy have you checked to see if there are new drivers for the card? i know it's a long shot for an iPaq, but worth a shot

 

[mjdeere]

Just stumbled on this deal today, so here is my $.02:

I Picked up a couple of the HNW-100 Cards in Newton and Byram NJ.

My initial observation is that these are PC card/16 bit, NOT 32 Bit cardbus cards...
I suspect that these are the 'old' d-link cards. I have been using 'newer' d-link dwl-650 cards which ARE cardbus/32 bit and work great!

Easy way to tell the difference is that the 32 bit cards have 8 small 'bumps' on the leading edge/socket side which prohibit the cards from going into an older
16 bit PCMCIA slot. The 16 bit cards do not have the bumps.

Can anyone who has the WL-110 'orinoco' flavor confirm whether it is 16 or 32 bit?

I would further speculate that the 16 bit cards will use much more cpu/system resouces than the 32 bit cards, and not be very suitable for older/slower laptops.
This may be why some say the HNW-100 is 'junk'.

Actually the 16 bit card should be ok on the 802.11b side, since the bandwidth is fairly limited at 11 mbs, it would just use more cpu cycles when surfing (again, a bad thing on marginal/slower notebooks).

Anyway, I think the amazon deal for the d-link dwl-650 via OD may be a better deal since you get a 32 bit card for only a few more $ even without the rebate.h

any other thoughts?

BTW, I picked up the last CP-2W router and USB adapters at these 2 stores, as well as a 5 port hub for $20 and a couple cardbus 10/100 nics for $15 (all compaq branded)...The HNW-100's will probably be going back tomorrow! - Otherwise, COMPAQ STUFF ALL CLEARED OUT!

-MJ

 

[Joemonkey]

so let me get this straight... if i know of a radio shack anywhere in the US that has some of the USB adapters, i can get my local radio shack to have them shipped to their store at no cost to me?

no radio shacks around me had USB adapters, i was just able to pick up 2 routers... anyone know?

if so, anyone care to let me know where some USB adapters are, store number etc, so i can ask my radio shack?

 

[mjdeere]

Joe,

They have the Conmpaq USB adapters at http://store.yahoo.com/livewarehouse/nccp20380.html

They are $40, but still may be a good deal considering the time/hassle of tracking them down at Radio Shack B&M.

The router is also available there for $70 and the PCMCIA card (16 bit?) for $35.

I have not ordered from them personally.

MJ

 

[EvilTwin996]

OK, Here's a report: I got the wireless PC card today at RS in Federal Way, WA. I had the local RS check stock, and the guy said it was the last one in the area (I don't know if that was accurate or not). Anyhow, it was $29.97 no problem. It is the rebadged Linksys one. I took it home, and installed the software on my new HP ze4101, and plugged in my new Siemens SpeedStream Router ($37 including tax), and I am up and running! This is my first post from my wireless connection.

The hardware was very easy to configure, and works VERY well. What a fantastic deal. Thanks!

 

[elcondor]

I just picked up the last Router/WAP at the RS in Essex Green mall, West Orange, NJ as it seems Yogurt got the last one in Livingston. The manager was boxing up all the Compaq units to ship back and make room for the M$ ones. It looks high quality and was a steal for $50 bucks. Will be setting it up this weekend. Thanks guys.

 

[fyrgoose]

I called around to all the RS stores in the SE Wisconsin area, only one was at Grand Avenue Mall in downtown Milwuakee. I picked it up. Good price for 50 bucks. thanks

Bryan

 

[jinduy]

none here in southern ca...i called everywhere.

 

[buzzdalf]

I picked up the last usb adapter in the Fremont, OH store last night. There were still 3 pc cards on the shelf, and no routers.

I wonder if other small town stores will still have these for anyone searching.

 

[GregFish]

Everyone who owns this, how do you think this router compare to other routers in the market, like dlink, belkin, smc, orinoco, etc....? I purchased on of these and downloaded the newest firmware, but it still seems kind of slow and the range just fair. Could this be the wireless card - router or both? I also but the compaq wireless card, but unfortunately it was not the orinoco rebadged one.

 

[mra]

Originally posted by: GregFish
Everyone who owns this, how do you think this router compare to other routers in the market, like dlink, belkin, smc, orinoco, etc....? I purchased on of these and downloaded the newest firmware, but it still seems kind of slow and the range just fair. Could this be the wireless card - router or both? I also but the compaq wireless card, but unfortunately it was not the orinoco rebadged one.

The range of the PCCard isn't very good, at least on PocketPCs. However, the range of the Connection Point CP-2W is amazing for the small antenna. My laptop (with MultiPort built in 802.11b) remains on Excellent signal strength through 5 or 6 walls at the other side of my house. I'm considering retiring my Linksys BEFSR41 in favor of the CP-2W as a router because the ConnectionPoint's setup and features match the Linksys and I won't loose a port for uplink.

 

[mra]

ALERT! EVEN *NEWER* FIRMWARE!!

Check this out:
ftp://ftp.compaq.com/pub/softpaq/sp23001-23500/SP23456.exe

This firmware shows up as date 1-21-2002 on my router. It's version 2.09, .01 greater than the 2.08 posted a page back.

Happy downloading!

 

[gotsmack]

sweet. Thanks for the update.

 

[kevman]

Originally posted by: mra
ALERT! EVEN *NEWER* FIRMWARE!!

Check this out:
ftp://ftp.compaq.com/pub/softpaq/sp23001-23500/SP23456.exe

This firmware shows up as date 1-21-2002 on my router. It's version 2.09, .01 greater than the 2.08 posted a page back.

Happy downloading!

Updated on the first post. Thanks!

Kevin

 

[fyrgoose]

I'm pretty happy with the CP-2W now, I just retired my linksys 4 port router. I don't have anything wireless yet, but the wife wants a computer upstairs. So later when I get in on one of those dell deals, I'll pick up a wireless usb thing for her. She'll be happy.

Bryan

 

[Joemonkey]

Originally posted by: mra
ALERT! EVEN *NEWER* FIRMWARE!!

Check this out:
ftp://ftp.compaq.com/pub/softpaq/sp23001-23500/SP23456.exe

This firmware shows up as date 1-21-2002 on my router. It's version 2.09, .01 greater than the 2.08 posted a page back.

Happy downloading!

Fixed link here:

ftp://ftp.compaq.com/pub/softpaq/sp23001-23500/SP23456.exe

 

[mra]

Originally posted by: Joemonkey
Fixed link here:

ftp://ftp.compaq.com/pub/softpaq/sp23001-23500/SP23456.exe

Oops, stupid forum >

 

[gotsmack]

I flashed to the new firmware and now I can't log into cp.home. anyone else have this problem? will try to reboot the router after I finish downloading.

 

[ArubaBornOC]

So I got on one of these and I think they might still have some in the RS by my house.
If you want to locate then it is in Yucaipa Ca.
Small town far away from civilization.

Question is: I cant disable the firewall. I want to do that because all of a sudden I cant telefone chat on MSN messenger anymore with my family overseas. Anyone know how to over come this problem?

 

[mra]

Originally posted by: ArubaBornOC
So I got on one of these and I think they might still have some in the RS by my house.
If you want to locate then it is in Yucaipa Ca.
Small town far away from civilization.

Question is: I cant disable the firewall. I want to do that because all of a sudden I cant telefone chat on MSN messenger anymore with my family overseas. Anyone know how to over come this problem?

Sounds like MSN messenger is trying to do port forwarding by means of uPNP, which the CP-2W doesn't support. Look for information on forwarding ports for MSN messenger.

 

[CheetahMk2]

Update

I think I just got the last one in the major OH area ^_^. One card betwen two stores that said they had one each... it was a D-Link though, but still a pretty damn good deal for $25. Considering I can just re-sell it for $40-50... after testing it aainst my *current* USB adapter from Netgear.

 

[shaxs]

I went to Radio Shack and got the router. I opened the box when I got home to find an empty box, just had a power brick! Tahts why it was heavy. I am so pissed. Thankfully my dad just came into town to visit his college biy and hes going to go raise hell with me :|