Very cheap wireless networking products (Micor Plus)

[RobsTV]

Thanks for the driver tip, but I traded the PCMCIA card for a Netgear 401A.
He is running ME on his Compaq, so don't know if he too would have problems with this card and XP.

Have had no problems with the USB adaptor, and has good signal everywhere I tried.
Ordered another one for a friend, so it can't be bad.

 

[JPSJPS]

I bought and tested several USB adapters and they "seem" to work well.
The FCC ID is PB6-01102 but the FCC search function/database is not working now.

Put PB6 in the first field and clear other fields at the bottom of this page to get info on all these wireless products:
FCC Search Link

FWIW - The FCC test data for the USB adapter that I downloaded earlier indicated that power output is +10 dBm while the data sheet on the product page:
USB Adapter Product Page
claims +15dBm typical.
?????

The USB unit has two internal antennas (diversity) and it will be easy to add an external antenna output if desired by moving one chip resistor and adding a connector or soldering a pigtail.

 

[schizoid]

I bought the USB as well. So far, it's seems to be working well. I'm directly under the gateway (that is, the antenna is a floor above me) so it only has to go through one wall to get to me, but I'm getting excellent signal strength.

I'll let you know if I get random disconnections or whatever.

If there are any other questions, just let me know and I'll try to answer them.

The USB one comes with what looks like a 3 or 4 foot A-B usb cable, so that's nice.

 

[sillymofo]

does any one have this problems that I have? if I put the computer on hibernate and revive it, sometimes my encryption is disabled and I'll have to put the hex key in to connect again. Is that normal or do I have to shut my PC down every time, this happens either with the card or the USB adapter. Thanks for any answer.

 

[jrichrds]

Originally posted by: JPSJPS
I bought and tested several USB adapters and they "seem" to work well.
The FCC ID is PB6-01102 but the FCC search function/database is not working now.

Put PB6 in the first field and clear other fields at the bottom of this page to get info on all these wireless products:
FCC Search Link

Thanks for the link. I was just looking for that.
Hope they fix their database soon...still not working.

 

[stockjock]

This might be a little off topic...but here goes. I've got a Linksys BEFW11S4 wireless router. I've got a pretty big house..its around 3600 Sq. ft. and I have a total of 4 computers using it right now. My computer is connected to it via CAT cable, my wife's and kid's through wireless USB cards and my laptop through a PC wireless card. The wireless router is in my computer room, the wife's computer is in the kitchen (reception is pretty good)...it's the kid's computer that I'm having problems with. The room its in is the farthest point it could be from the router. I'm talking totally other end of the house and upstairs!! The kids are always getting kicked off the net due to reception problems. My question is...is there a way I can either boost the signal strength of the wireless router, or put some piece of wireless networking that will boost the signal for better reception for the kids without having to move the wireless router as thats where my cable modem is!!

 

[RobsTV]

stockjock

I think what you need to extend the range is a Wireless Access Point.

 

[sillymofo]

Originally posted by: RobsTV
stockjock I think what you need to extend the range is a Wireless Access Point.

You are half correct RobsTV, what he needs is a repeater/access point.

 

[kayaksurfer]

Originally posted by: cr4zymofo
does any one have this problems that I have? if I put the computer on hibernate and revive it, sometimes my encryption is disabled and I'll have to put the hex key in to connect again. Is that normal or do I have to shut my PC down every time, this happens either with the card or the USB adapter. Thanks for any answer.

Had the same problem (but different wireless hardware) where the encryption key disappears. Turns out it was a conflict between XP's built in wireless profile managment ("Zero Config" or something) and the software drivers for the hardware. Support desk recommended I disable Zero Config and that solved the problem.

 

[ICR5]

Just wondering if anyone who lives in a 2/3 story place if they were are able to get good range in every floor ??

Im also sooo tempted in getting the wireless router

 

[JPSJPS]

Originally posted by: stockjock
My question is...is there a way I can either boost the signal strength of the wireless router

Yes there is a way to boost your signal strength for almost free!


Link to antenna reflector details

 

[sillymofo]

Originally posted by: ICR5
Just wondering if anyone who lives in a 2/3 story place if they were are able to get good range in every floor ?? Im also sooo tempted in getting the wireless router

If you have three story house, it's the same as two, just put the router in the middle floor. I have my router upstair and my signal is always excellent.

 

[PrimeRisk]

Quick product report:

I ordered one of the PC Cards and it arrived in a week to Colorado. Following advice in this thread I didn't try to install the card in XP with the included disc and went with the d/l drivers. All was up and working perfectly after on reboot on a IBM 600X under a fully updated XP Pro. Range in my house (3500SF on 3 levels, router on top floor due to wiring constraints) is excellent or very good everywhere except the basement where I have very good most of the time. Taking a trip across the street to the neighbor's house I drop down to 50 - 60% signal quality. For $25 this is a decent value. It doesn't do nearly as well as my Netgear card, but I also paid for it.

Cheers :beer:

[edit: El Typo]

 

[sillymofo]

Originally posted by: PrimeRisk
Quick product report: I ordered one of the PC Cards and it arrived in a week to Colorado. Following advice in this thread I didn't try to install the card in XP with the included disc and went with the d/l drivers. All was up and working perfectly after on reboot on a IBM 600X under a fully updated XP Pro. Range in my house (3500SF on 3 levels, router on top floor due to wiring constraints) is excellent or very good everywhere except the basement where I have very good most of the time. Taking a trip across the street to the neighbor's house I drop down to 50 - 60% signal quality. For $25 this is a decent value. It doesn't do nearly as well as my Netgear card, but I also paid for it. Cheers :beer: [edit: El Typo]

what router did you use?

 

[CigarSmokedByClinton]

Well I got the USB adapter for my sis along with the $25 Netgear. I can't for the live of me get them to work. IMO the USB drivers really suck. I get an excellent signal sometimes, but no IP address. I can then try to renew my IP, then the signal goes away. Sometimes I can get an IP address, but only when the signal is low, and it won't let me ping the router. Its really frustrating. I'm not a LAN newbie but I am a wireless newbie. Its wierd too cause I get an excellent signal, but no IP, so I reboot, then It comes back as no signal. I've tried everything I can think of. I've tried 3 other computers, and the stinking thing just won't work. I think I'm gonna try another brand.

Cigar

 

[sillymofo]

do you have encryption on your router? How about the SSID of your router? if you dl the new driver for the usb adapter, than you can bring up the monitor utility and change all this.

 

[CigarSmokedByClinton]

Yeah, 64 bit encr. SSID is Netgear's default "Wireless". I did d/l the new driver, pulled up the monitor/config prog. It does let me change it if I uncheck the "let windows configure your wireless" and I get an excellent signal this way too, but as soon as I try to pull up an IP, signal goes away.

The router isn't hooked up to the internet yet, but that shouldn't make a difference should it?

PS DHCP is on on the router.

 

[sillymofo]

Originally posted by: CigarSmokedByClinton
Yeah, 64 bit encr. SSID is Netgear's default "Wireless". I did d/l the new driver, pulled up the monitor/config prog. It does let me change it if I uncheck the "let windows configure your wireless" and I get an excellent signal this way too, but as soon as I try to pull up an IP, signal goes away. The router isn't hooked up to the internet yet, but that shouldn't make a difference should it? PS DHCP is on on the router.

Then you'll have to log on to your router to get the hex key. Disable Windows Wireless config, then bring up the utility and put your hex keys in the encryption part (you'll have to enable encryption first and be mindful of what key you're using, this should be specified in your router config).

 

[RobsTV]

Just received another wireless USB adapter, and the package had a CompUSA sku# sticker on it!
Do you think they sell to CompUSA, buy from CompUSA, or both get from same distributor?
No big deal really, just seemed weird.
And it does work fine.

 

[sillymofo]

I did recall seeing these products at CompUSA a while back (for a lot more)... not for very long though. Is it me or CompUSA don't have a lot/emphasis on the wireless products. The one near my house have half a shelf for all the wireless stuffs.

 

[TomVeil]

Ionizer, if you are going to be such a jerk you should not use put your ebay auctions in your sig. Whats to stop people who don't like your post from ruining your feedback?

 

[JPSJPS]

Originally posted by: TomVeil
Ionizer, if you are going to be such a jerk you should not use put your ebay auctions in your sig. Whats to stop people who don't like your post from ruining your feedback?

Did you consider that you have to have a buy/sell with him before you can add feedback?