| Belkin F5D6020 Wireless Notebook Network Card |
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Model: F5D6020
Brand: Belkin
Manufacturer: Belkin Components
Average Rating: 
(submit your review here)
Total Reviews: 36
Form factor: Plug-in module
Hardware platform: PC
Data link protocol: IEEE 802.11b
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| Features: |
Device Type - Network Card
Form Factor - Network Adapter
Interface Type - PC Card Type II |
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| Description: |
| The Belkin F5D6020 Wireless Notebook Network Card is an ideal, painless upgrade that gives you instant networking capability. The card glides snugly into your notebook's PCMCIA slot, and sets up quickly with included Belkin SOHO Networking Software for Windows. Used in conjunction with the Wireless Access Point, the card is your admission ticket to the world of wireless networking. Advanced power management to keep notebook batteries running longer Includes Belkin Lifetime Warranty and free 24-hour technical support Requires use with BKN F5D6000 |
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| User Reviews (36 total): |
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This is a great product and DOES work witn Win 98 SE, January 9, 2008
By mikiec98 (Washington, DC)
I bought this card because I have an older laptop running Win 98SE and I needed a cheap and cheerful card that would work with 98SE. I bought the card for less than 20 bucks so figured it would make for an inexpensive experiment if it didn't work. But it does - I'm actually connected through it now. So IGNORE ALL REPORTS SAYING THIS CARD IS NOT COMPATIBLE WITH WIN 98SE!! Those people have problems with their computers or have managed to erase key files. I simply followed the installation instructions, and connected to my wireless router and have been happily using the card ever since (about three years). Do not buy this if you want lightning-fast internet access or state of the art security. But for everyday home use this is perfect. My only complaint is that it makes noise when connecting and downloading pages, but this is a minor issue at worst.
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Multiversions a problem, but overall reliable, September 15, 2007
By tech weenie (Minneapolis, MN USA)
I have the original of the three versions of this card. The chipset was changed, and it is confusing to figure out which driver works for the card. However, I have used it on several different laptops, under Windows NT, 2000, and XP. I have been disappointed with Belkin suport as the drivers seem to come and go on their site. Today, for example, the site does not list the model number, nor does it show a hit on a search for the model number, and they seem to have no drivers on the site, despite that I've downloaded drivers from there in the past.
Once installed the unit is more reliable than some better known brands I use. In particular, the unit will connect with access points even when I have had trouble with other brands such as Linksys, Proxim, Alvarion, TrendNet and D-Link for the same access points. Overall, you need to search for drivers, but once it is installed correctly it works great.
One particular probem is that the card and drivers do not suport WPA or WPA2 security encryption, only WEP. If you are using this anywhere you need encryption then you will need to use a VPN, since WEP is no longer an adequate encryption method.
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Excellent choice for Windows CE 2.0 and up!, December 3, 2006
By A Samsung Printer Fan (CA, USA)
F5D6020 has 3 versions. Only Version 1 works under Windows CE 2.0, Pro, 3.0/HPC 2000, .net. I used it on HP Jornada 720 (CE 3.0/HPC 2000) to access wireless networks.
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Will NOT work with Win98se, April 26, 2006
By VT (Oklahoma)
Tech support states that this card is known NOT to work with win98se (F5D6020 ver.2). BEWARE trying to install the Compaq WL100 card's driver as a work around. My 98se box just kept VXD-blue screening after I installed the compaq WL100 driver trying to get this belkin card to work. Both cards may be based on the PRISM-2 wireless chipset, and this MAY or MAY NOT work for windows 2000 (as reported also in these feedback results), but it definitely is NOT a workaround for win98. I can see the card alright in device manager, the lan monitor utility comes up ok, but the card will not save settings for WEP or anything else....I.E. the card cannot be configured using win98se.
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This is JUNK!!!!, November 27, 2005
By Houdini
I've spent countless hours both on my own and with Belkin tech support and this card will not work on a machine with Win98SE. I went and got a Netgear card and BOOM, it worked right away.
Belkin tech support is HORRIBLE. It is overseas and the people on the phone 1) don't know computers and 2) have a tough time with the English language and tech terms.
Do yourself a HUGE favor, don't get this at any price.
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Couldn't be more impressed -, September 16, 2005
By ex-teen idol (Minneapolis)
Seriously - with all the terrible reviews regarding wireless notebook cards in general, it's surprising that this form of networking ever caught on.
I was very reluctant to try any of the cards, until I saw this one was discounted down to just under $10...I figured, worst case scenerio, I'm out just the $10...on the other hand, if it works, it would certainly increase the value of my laptop...
When I say that installation was a breeze, I mean, it was just as simple as pushing the card into the slot..Windows XP detected the card and found the drivers on the CD, and literally, within 30 seconds, I was surfing the 'net. I was quite surprised to find that I live inside a 'hotspot', being that there is an 'internet cafe' within a block of my house.
That laptop has now become my primary computer, and I simply couldn't be happier -
*As a side note, I did use the software that Belkin sent with the card for about a day, and decided I liked the XP interface much better...but that's just personal preference...good work, guys!
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great for the price, May 10, 2005
By R. Gonzo (Oberlin, OH)
i bought this wireless card and it was shipped the next day.
it was the easiest install ever. I'm in college and my onboard Wireless card was horrid. Never connected to the wireless access points here. I installed this and I have yet to find a place it doesn't connect. I highly recommend this card. Yes it is only a B rather than a G. but how many places can afford an internet connection capable of producing the high speed. so for a home wireless network I would say this card is perfect.
I loved the price!!!
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Does the job at a good price..., January 13, 2005
By Lain Iwakura (Sydney, Australia)
Last week I purchased my first laptop, a 2 year old ex-demo Compaq Presario 700 series. Now my wife and I can surf the net at the same time.
I am a n00b to wireless networking and to make matters more difficult I am connecting between a Mac and a WinXP laptop, so I was quite anxious if it was going to work.
I still need to do some network tweeking, but this card, had it not been for my n00b-ness would have been working within 5 minutes of installation, instead it took me 30 minutes as I configured my Mac incorrectly... and it works great. The quick install guide was easy to read and the drivers provided work on my WinXP machine no prob.
The card sticks out of the laptop in a nice way (beats an ugly pointy antenna) which PlayStation players will be familiar with as the memory cards stick out of the PS2 in the same manner.
This card also seems to be easy on the batteries and also has power saving modes. This was a big worry as the batteries in my notebook are 2 years old. Normally I get about 2 hours charge without the card, with the card so far I have been up for 1.5 hours and I still have good power left, I think that the power drain is negligble.
If you are looking to get into affordable wireless networking, this card is a good purchase. I dont see this card as a cheapo card, its a card that delivers great value.
I am also quite impressed with the online (24x7) chat technical support that Belkin offer. I was away and chatting with the technitian stright away and he was very helpful.
A note though, the documentation states that this is a "CardBus" card which got me confused because my Laptop has PCMCIA slots... but it turns out that they are one and the same, just a different name.
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Hardware may be ok.., November 26, 2004
By /Anders (CPH, Denmark)
...but who knows, because software & manual ABSOLUTELY is worth nothing, the people who've written the la-la-la happy comments above are either 1) employed at Belkin, 2) fortunenate enough to have a configuration of Win XP/2000/98 that by chance worked with the dreadful driver & configuratin software or 3) have probably learned by now that this product is, to a degree rarely seen, a piece of c++p!!!
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after update, works flawlessly XP DRIVER, September 16, 2004
By J. Canedo (Mazatlan, Sinaloa Mexico)
i must admit it gave me the headaches at the beginning.. but then i read that there was an XP Driver on Belkin's website.. so I downloaded and installed it IT WORKS!!!!!!!!....Try it...
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It is wonderful, September 4, 2004
By viewer (new york)
It works great for me. easy to use. I never had any problems with it.
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Works good..... but I have a couple complaints., August 22, 2004
By cubby89 (Dixon, CA United States)
Problem #1 - XP doesn't have drivers for this card and the manual included doesnt have XP setup instructions, so I had plugged in the card and ran the setup disc. The card didn't work. After removing everything and going to the Belkin website for XP setup instructions, my second install attempt was successful.
Problem #2 - When I travel, I like to see all available wireless networks and connect to unencrypted ones to use the internet. With the software provided, you must know the network name you want to connect to and enter it in the software program. I think that sucks.
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I must be lucky, May 25, 2004
By Hapworth (Palma de Mallorca, Spain)
Despite the bad reviews, I had really good luck with this Belkin card. I'm an American living in Spain, and tech prices tend to be higher here. I bought this "old technology" 802.11b (not 802.11g) card because my ADSL line can only handle 512K downloads, so the 11Mps vs. 54Mps isn't really an issue. In fact, for $35, I found this card to be a bargain option.I'm not sure why others have had so many problems. The software installed from the CD to my Windows XP laptop in a snap. Next, I slid the card into my PCMCIA slot and it autmotically located my 3Com router next to my desktop. Amazing! (Can you tell that I am a wireless newbie?) I get steady signals and good download transfers on my laptop. Occasionally my laptop loses signal completely (thus, the four-star review instead of five stars), but this is literally for a second and not noticeable (although I'll wait and see if this disrupts downloads, IM connections, etc.) If you are looking for a good, cheap card, you might give the Belkin a try.
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Card works fine with non-Belkin driver, March 15, 2004
By unknown
After hours of trying to get this card (version 1) to work with my win2000 laptop I finally in a desperate attempt installed the driver for the Compaq WL100, which is also based on the PRISM-2 chip set. To my astonishment it WORKED !! For the first time my card connected to the access point. After this I could use the Belkin configuration utility to configure wep etc. Moral of the story: do not use the Belkin driver and things will work out fine. Thumbs up for compaq, definite thumbs down for Belkin ...
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Does not support all OS, February 19, 2004
By ashokdm (carpentersville, il United States)
I don't understand why BELKIN don't have different product # or Manufacturer #. This product has version1, version2 and version 3. Each version uses different chipsets and does not support all the OS( For example ver2 does not work on Win NT ). I got this product thinking its version 1 which has support for Win NT but I got version2 which does not. Also did not find drivers anywhere to make this work for Win NT
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Worked like a charm, February 15, 2004
By shenoym (TX)
Belkin 802.11b Wireless Notebook Card.
Pros: Easy installation and setup and connection
Cons: Requires a wireless router installed
I was looking for an efficient way to connect my laptop (IBM ThinkPad with Windows XP) to a wireless network at home. When
Fry's was selling the product for $5.00 ( $35 actual cost and $30 mail-in rebate) it seemed like just what the Doctor had ordered. A bargain offer
and wireless comfort all rolled into one !
The Network Card easily slides into the laptop's PCMCIA slot. The installation of Belkin software is also pretty straight
forward, except that when configuring there is a delay in what is typed and what is seen on the screen.
I already have a Netgear MR814v2 wireless router installed for my cable modem. So to create a profile to connect to the
wireless router I only had to key in the SSID, Encryption method and the Network Key. All this is easily obtained from the
wireless router configuration.
Even though the technical specification boasts a working range of up to 1500 feet and speeds of up to 11Mbps, I have used it
only at a distance of 150 feet and have experienced speeds of 8 Mbps.
So I highly recommend this product to anybody who is looking for a wireless connectivity for their laptops.
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Be Careful If You Use Windows 95, February 3, 2004
By unknown
After struggling to get my Belkin Wireless card to work in my laptop running Windows 95B I finally called for Tech Support. According to them, only Version One of their wireless card will work with 95B. I had a Version Two. Version One cards can be identified by a single LED Light on the card while later versions have two lights.At any rate, I've still been unable to get the card to work with Windows 95B as its been advertisied. Tech support was no help after I exchanged my Version Two Card for a Version One and was down right rude after I followed their instructions and still couldn't get the card to work. If you're planning on using the card with Windows 95B, be sure to get a Version One card, and be prepared for a lot of disappointment.
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Decent hardware, poor software, January 28, 2004
By TG
The card itself seems to work okay. After following the installation instructions, it installed connected first time on my Win XP notebook.However, Belkin's software is, as usual, quite poor. In the first half hour of testing, their control program froze up once and went wonky on me another time (all the tabs just vanished). I never could get the profiles feature working correctly - it's supposed to save different network profiles for different locations, but it didn't work. The worst part, however, is that the WEP password feature just would NOT work with my Apple Airport base station...if I had a password enabled on the station, it would not connect at all. I'm no dummy about this stuff, and I tried all the options (including entering the password in hexadecimal). The software, to put it bluntly, is broke. Fortunately, the installer gives you the option of using Windows XP's built-in card control software. After uninstalling the Belkin stuff and reinstalling (selecting the Win XP option) everything worked fine, including the WEP password stuff. I have a Belkin UPS on my computer, and the software for it is very poor as well. You think I would've learned my lesson about Belkin, but I got this card for really cheap. I figure I might as well keep it since I got it working. You, however, have been warned.
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Broken Drivers for Windows XP, December 9, 2003
By zealandbrew (Wellington, New Zealand)
I've had a horrible time with this F5D6020 PCMCIA card. I'm quite adept with wireless networks - have two laptops and several desktops with wireless cards in them. Some of the biggest problems I've had have been with this Belkin card, Windows Zero Configuration for wireless networks, and WEP secured networks. I connect to wireless networks, secured and unsecured, just fine, but the drivers are mangling ARP, and so I can't run TCPIP over the connection. Despite the fact that the card is advertised to work with XP, it doesn't include signed drivers - and the drivers it does have are what's wrong with it.
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No XP Drivers !!!!!!, November 3, 2003
By wlewis (UK)
Despite downloading the XP drivers from Belkin support for this card, XP says "Cannot install this card".I really dont want to put Belkins's support to the test (been there before and they are hopeless with very poor spoken english), this peice of cr4p is going back ASAP.
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