| BELKIN F5D7050 Wireless 802.11g USB Network Adapter |
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Model: F5D7050
Brand: Belkin
Manufacturer: Belkin Components
Average Rating: 
(submit your review here)
Total Reviews: 121
Operating system: Windows XP Professional Edition
Form factor: External
Hardware platform: PC
Data link protocol: IEEE 802.11g, IEEE 802.11b
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| Features: |
Product Type - Adapter
Warranty - Lifetime
- Offers backward-compatibility with all 802.11b network devices
- Features wireless 64- and 128-bit WEP Encryption |
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| Description: |
| Belkin F5D7050 Wireless 802.11g USB Network Adapter - This is a USB network adapter that gives your desktop or notebook PC access to 802.11g & 802.11b wireless networks. What makes this adapter so special is it's size. It's roughly the size of a pack of gum, which makes it a perfect accessory for mobile PC users. Requires - Windows 98 SE, Me, 2000, or XP Includes Belkin Lifetime Warranty and free 24 hour technical support! Color - Black |
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| User Reviews (121 total): |
Page 1 2 3 4 5 6 of Total 6 Pages
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Spotty compatibility, August 1, 2007
By user
I had this working fine on my old PC, with no complaints about range or driver issues. I upgraded to a new PC and can't get the drivers to work at all. It simply shows up with the yellow warning in Device manager saying it cannot load the driver and I have downloaded the correct (ver 2) drivers and tried installing several times to no avail. Beware before buying this!
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It works fine for me, mostly, July 30, 2007
By user
I have had this adapter for a little over a month, and it has been working fine for me most of the time. I keep it one floor below and two rooms away from the router and it usually gets two or three bars of reception out of the five possible (meaning 24-36Mbps reception, on average). On occasion, it will be unresponsive, but the problem always seems to resolve itself within a few hours (I think the key to preventing this may be keeping it cool).
Setup was easy: I just put the setup CD in the tray, clicked a few buttons to install, and plugged in the adapter. Enter the hex key, and voila! Internet. Overall, a good value.
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Barely worked then died - terrible software, June 13, 2007
By user (Fort Worth, TX)
I decided to purchase this because I needed a cheap, temporary hookup from my desktop to my Wi-Fi network powered by a Linksys WRT54G. After running the software and plugging in the F5D7050 within the claimed 400 ft range, I received no signal at all.
Determined to get the device working, I replaced the firmware on my Linksys router with DD-WRT, then boosted the output power from 28 to 70. Finally! I could sporadically connect to the network!
After a few days, I could no longer connect. I ordered the large, unsightly antennae for my router hoping this would improve signal between the Belkin and the Linksys. After attaching them to the router, I see a stronger signal but still cannot connect.
One large factor contributing to my nighmare is the fact that Belkin's included software is horrible. It makes no sense. I can never reproduce the magic formula to connect (reboot? reinstall software? unplug and reattach the USB device? enable/disable Wireless Zero Config?). I have given up and decided to spend the big bucks on the Linksys USB adapter.
Meanwhile, I have two Dell laptops which have connected EVERY time to the Linksys from farther away with no problems at all!
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dont buy this, June 11, 2007
By user (America)
I bought this about 4 months ago. At first it worked ok(2-4 bars) but after a month or so the signal started to get weaker and weaker to the point where it didnt pickup any signal at all. Now it does'nt even work. Ive tried it on serveral computers (installing and uninstalling) but it still does not work.
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Worked for 7 months, then died -- driver software is subpar, May 28, 2007
By user
Didn't install properly on WinXP SP2 initially, so had to mess around a lot to get it working. Then after about 7 months of mostly trouble-free use, it just died for no reason.
The adapter itself is fine because it works on other machines, but the driver and support software that comes bundled with it are very poor, and I was not able to get it working again even after reinstalling Windows XP!
Driver support from Belkin is very poor. Take your business elsewhere.
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Works for me with Vista, May 25, 2007
By user (Houston, TX)
Just bought a new Dell with Vista Home Premium. Have version 3 of this adapter. Tried to install the driver for this version from the Belkin website, but Vista couldn't install it. Decided to go ahead and install the software/utility, even though the product states it is not compatible with Vista. After installing the software, all I had to do was connect to the network using the Network and Sharing Center. It's worked flawlessly for a week now, with good signal strength. No problems when restaring the computer - it automatically connects to the network. Haven't had to unplug the adapter. Vista cannot find the Belkin Utility, however, which is probably a good thing. Very satisfied so far.
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Works great on my mac clamshell G3, May 9, 2007
By user
I have an old clamshell G3 without an airport card using OS X.4. My computer tech told me it would be impossible to get wireless internet without spending $60 or more on an airport card from another clamshell computer. He was wrong. This is a viable option. I installed a driver from the support page of Belkin's website (I used the one for 10.3), and bam! I had a wireless connection to the internet. I'm so glad I found this!
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Mine has been just fine ..., May 1, 2007
By user (greensboro, NC)
I've had mine for about 6 months now and am very pleased so far. There are Pro's and Con's, but for the price and the ease of use I'd buy it again, most likely.
I've got a Belkin Wireless Router, a Sony Laptop running XP Home and this card plugged into my USB port. That's it, I set her up in a few minutes and POOF I had a wireless network.
Granted, I've got to nudge her to wake her up every once and a while, but for the most part it's no big deal at all. This thing is 2 rooms (40-50 ft.) away from the router, too (I guess 3 or 4 walls in between them).
So it works fine for me.
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Do not buy., April 9, 2007
By user (Colorado Rockies)
When I brought it back to Walmart, the customer service person exclaimed "Not another one of these!"
Yes it's a lemon. It worked some times, but never very well.
Good idea - bad product. I'm going to try the Linksys version.
UPDATE: I got a linksys. It works great.
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Solved my issue, March 28, 2007
By user (Gorham, ME USA)
Lightning blew the ethernet port on my IMAC. I couldn't track down an old airport card, so I thought I'd give this a shot. The Belkin stick connects my old mac to internet for $36. The connection is pretty slow but liveable. You'll need to find the drivers on the net. My kids are happy, so that's all that counts!
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Belkin Wireless Adapter- it works., March 15, 2007
By user (New York, NY)
The wireless adapter works just fine. Occasionally you have to disconnect it, and then reconnect it in order for it to work, but for the most part I have had no problems. It's a very good buy for the price.
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You get what you pay for., March 9, 2007
By user (Richmond, VA)
This is an ok product. It does what it needs to do most of the time. sometimes I have to disconnect it and plug it back in for it to work. Also it isnt very good with pickin up the signal. I have to rearrange my room sometimes if my roommate moves her computer cause the signal will be lost if it is moved even a foot away. The first one i had broke the second day so i got another one in place. i havent had a problem with it too much lately. It is an alright product for the money.
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No longer works with Macs, February 28, 2007
By user (NJ)
Newest version is 4000, and I tried today, 2/26/07 with latest Ralink drivers on a mac powerbook with no luck - device was not recognized. Am looking for another usb adapter that uses the Ralink 2500 chipset.
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The other reviews are correct, February 28, 2007
By user (Hialeah, FL)
I've purchased and attempted to install three of these adapters. One of them was on an older Dell laptop,installed without any problems at all and connected seamlessly to a Linksys WRT54G router with WAP encryption.
The problems really started showing when I tried to install the second and third adapters, both on desktop computers running Windows XP SP2. The software installation was a breeze, but when I plugged in the adapter - nothing happened. Connect to network...which network? Scan..who? What?
It looks like this adapter has a very, very short range and doesn't work very well a wall or two in between the routers. It would see the router and connect - to drop the connection and not find one. But then it would find it again, and on and off.
Never really worked as expected on the desktops, so I've given up. I've had to disconnect them and reconnect them multiple times. Downloaded the updated software from Belkin's site, and still have connection issues with the desktops. The laptop works fine as long as I don't take it one room away from the router.
Avoid at all costs please. I've used other wireless devices with the same router that I'm trying to connect and they work fine - a few rooms away and all.
Spend a few more dollars and get something worth the money spent. Spend less time troubleshooting and more time surfing.
Good luck.
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Extremely poor quality, February 17, 2007
By user (New Orleans, LA USA)
This card, when it worked at all, was a hit-or-miss proposition. Many times, I would have to repair the connection, switch preamble modes, or restart the computer to get it to see either the Belkin wireless router or the Linksys wireless router. This was even when the router was no more than 20' away.
Second, it was impossible to get the card to work with my Toshiba laptop. After downloading three versions of the driver (there are 4), one finally worked, but was unable to pick up the school network, which is nice & strong.
If the card is removed from, or falls out of, its USB slot, it is not uncommon for Windows to "forget about" the card, and ask you to reinstall the driver upon putting it back in.
I finally smashed the card against the wall. It works as well now as it did then. If I could give this thing zero stars, I would.
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terrible belkin, February 9, 2007
By user (MIlwaukee,WI)
I bought this adapter from the local BestBuy store and found that it was malfunctioning. There as no power light coming on the adapter. After 3 hrs and 4 phone calls to the Belkin Customer Service I found this out. Then I went to the store and got a new one. This had the light but the drivers provided for install were not right.
The Belkin technical support is nothing sort of "cheats" and "idiots". Request to be transferred to the level 2 support and they will cut you off. I wasted like 2 days and 8 phone calls and ulktimately am back to square one trying to get a new adapter. Never buy Belkin again.
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Works perfect!, December 27, 2006
By user (Mexico, D.F. Mexico)
I'm not any expert in the computer world. But this product it is very easy to install. The range is very strong.
I'm very hapy with this product!!!.
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works well, wish it had better range..., November 29, 2006
By user (PA)
I have some doubts that this product gets anywhere near the 400ft range it advertises, but it works nonetheless, and really considering that my router is in the basement and on the other side of the house, I figure I ought to be grateful that it works at all. I do suffer from fairly frequent disconnections, but I suspect it's related to where I have things in the house, no so much the product. In fact, I can usually view numerous wireless connections used by my various neighbors that this device picks up. Install went quickly and easily on my winxp pro sp2 machine. It's compact and conveinient to hook up to the desktop and laptops as needed. Can't complain, especially for the price.
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Good bargain, November 25, 2006
By user
This little adapter goes on sale or has rebates quite frequently, so you can get it for $9.99 or sometimes free. With that in mind, it is a good product for the price. It works fine, and sets up quickly. I have had two of these for 3 years or so now, and they have worked well on a number of different computers with Windows ME, XP Home and XP Professional
The Belkin software that comes with it, however, is not so great and is not easy to understand. Install the drivers, but forget about the Belkin software. It's better to use the Microsoft Windows software.
Also, the Belkin router that I bought with it SUCKS. I use a Linksys router. But as far as a cheap wireless adapter, you can't go wrong with this.
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Mediocre at bes, November 12, 2006
By user (Euless / Dallas TEXAS)
I have had this Belkin USB Wireless connector for about a year. I have very mixed results. When at my ranch where there are no other wireless internet devices around it works just fine. But when in a big city (like Dallas) and trying to use it at a friend's home where they have a Linksys wireless router it is a hit-and-miss proposition. I am only 20 feet from the Linksys and about half the time I have to Repair the connection to get it to work. Others say they have the same problem. I went for cheap and I got what I paid for. I am going to go to CompUSA or some place and get a better branded product.
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