Which USB network adapter for Windows 2000 ?

[freebsddude]

I will be getting a USB adapter for my Windows 2000 laptop. My laptop's PCMCIA slots have become loose as a result the NIC cardbus card does not seem to work well.

I purchased a generic CompUSA brand USB network adapter but for some reason it stops working after a few minutes, i.e. it does not seem to want to connect to the internet. Apparently it uses Realtek chip (which seems to be absolute junk IMHO!). I had exactly the same problem with my 2nd laptop as well.

Anway, which USB LAN/NIC adapter would you recommend for under Windows 2000 ?

Thanks!

 

[John]

I use the Linksys USB nic's and they work great under 2K/XP. They even have a mini keychain version.

 

[Mikewarrior2]

I'll second the linksys recommendation, and also put out a few others...

CompUSA has the speedstream USB-10/100 NIcs for ~$20, and they work well.. they're a fairly compact unit, too...

If you hvea a fry's near you, they have 3Com USB Nic's for ~$20, and they work well too... Never tested bandwith on them since they were for other people.



Mike

 

[freebsddude]

Sorry to bother again, but specific model numbers would be gratefully appreciated.
I just hope that these work, since strangely enough, the generic compusa brand did not work with either of my laptops!

 

[Mikewarrior2]

here's hte compusa LInk for the speedstream USB one... looks like the price online is a bit more than at my local CompUSA ($30 versus $20)

Speedstream USB nic

here's a linksys one at compusa

LInksys Compact USB_Nic

since they're the same price, i'd probably go with the Linksys, but boht should work fine for you.



Mike

 

[Magicthyse]

My 2c on what NOT to get.

Don't get an adaptor with the Kawasaki Large Scale Integration (KLSI) chipset.
It sucks big-time with Win2K. (Actually it sucks with all other OS's that it supports)

Also bear in mind that the USB Ethernet adaptor will be sloooowwww compared to cardbus.

I'm surprised that the Realtek chipset doesn't work - since it features in the vast majority of adaptors. It's low-buck and low-performance, but it usually very compatible and keeps on trucking no matter what.

Are you sure it's not a problem with the USB implementation / configuration on your laptop or a driver issue with your current adaptor?

 

[freebsddude]

I dont know if it is an issue with my laptops or an issue with the Cisco 678 DSL modem/router. Basically when I use it, everything works just fine. After a few minutes, the laptop simply stops communicating with the router for some reason. I do see the usb nic's light flashing.

I tried to ping the Cisco box, but it says "destination host unreachable" or some such thing. It happened with my other laptop as well. It worked for 1-2 minutes, and then stops. Whatever it is, why would it stop communicating after a few minutes ?

 

[neuralfx]

don't get the compUSA brand, those are realtek's as well .. I've had problems with them half the time .. sounds like your local compUSA is gonna get burned on an audit if they are charging 30$ for this nics ..
-neural

 

[freebsddude]

I paid $20 for it! Thanks.