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It worked right out of the box. I had been previously using a My Essentials USB adapter. I followed the set-up CD and didn't have any problems. But, the connection kept dropping or my computer wouldn't detect my home's wireless. This product was recommended to me by my tech-savvy friends. Note: My computer is running Windows XP. My router is a Linksys WRT54G wireless G.
I. Right after that final installation (and using the linksys connection software, NOT the Windows network connection thingy in the system tray) is the only time that the adapter ever connected successfully (i.e. The rest of the time the linksys software gives an error that it can't connect. But Installing the driver on Windows 7 was Less Than Simple. I took the dongle and my Windows 7 machine (laptop) to a different location (big modern nearby complex with high-throughput wireless network and an IT department) and the dongle connected to the network just fine.I'm only keeping it because I'm going to use it outside my house; at my house I guess I'm relegated to my 50-foot ethernet cable unless I want to spring for a new updated router (which I don't). a) auto-discovery failed to install a driver; b) CD install gave errors and said that the software wasn't installed; c) download of driver from website gave same error; d) just happened BY ACCIDENT to go to control panel / system status and discovered a message waiting there for me that said "there's a new driver available for this hardware", and the driver download file had the word "stable" in it, which was frightening. Obviously it's easy to stick the little dongle into a normal USB plug. with "internet access") to my B network, but I never got a chance to try it; I pulled the dongle out to try something else and it never connected again.
That is the only installation that succeeded, but how was I supposed to find that download. it was pure luck that I happened upon it.II. And the Windows 7 system tray network icon just connects and disconnects, over and over and over, each time only getting "limited access" with no internet.III. If you have a B network and Windows 7, don't waste your time.
I then installed the adapter on my own computer using the zip drive and additional instructions from Linksys/Cisco. NOT. I got this at Best Buy recently and was assured it would work in Windows 7 64 bit. If you are a novice at this sort of thing you will have a steep learning curve. It refused to install using the setup wizard CD. I had to download a Windows 7 upgrade on a zip drive in another computer. I finally got it installed successfully and it works fine. Maybe they have a Windows 7 version now, but be careful what you buy.
Even when I went to the trouble to get the wireless router literally within SIGHT of my desktop, the adapter wasn't working (I was afraid the router was originally too far away, but that doesn't seem to be the problem). I restarted the computer, reconfigured the adapter, then yay. Sure, it was easy to install, and it worked perfectly right out of the box.for about a WEEK. When I try to reinstall the adapter, it says it's not installed correctly.
It was just the desktop with which we were using the adapter that couldn't get onto the internet. This is an absolutely frustrating piece of crap. This thing is just a total piece of crap. This piece of junk has literally just STOPPED WORKING altogether. it detected the network, showed "excellent" signal strenth.BUT IT WON'T LOAD ANY PAGES.
So, so frustrated with it.**edited to add: So now it's a week later, and the LED light doesn't even light up. Nothing, nada, a little black plastic piece of garbage. At first I thought it was our network (Comcast is not always very reliable)., but my husband's laptop, our Wii, our Roku player - everything was working effortlessly with the network. I've checked the adapter on 4 different USB ports, nothing. Why on earth would it tell me I'm good to go, and then not load anything at all.
The troubleshooting on the CD-ROM's user guide is a joke - just tells you to remove the adapter then put it back again. I've check other peripherals on each of the USB ports, they all work fine. I will be contacting the seller to return immediately.
When it connected to the internet it would cut out every few minutes. I bought this usb adapter for $50. This product is way overpriced. I installed it in a minute on my pc Windows 7. It did not detect my network and when it did, it didn't connect to the internet. I got the D-Link DWA-125 and it worked perfect for windows 7. Linksys just has bad connection, lags and is weak.
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