| Microsoft Broadband Networking Wireless USB Adapter |
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Model: L21-00002
Brand: Microsoft
Manufacturer: Microsoft
Average Rating: 
(submit your review here)
Total Reviews: 21
Form factor: External
Hardware platform: PC
Data link protocol: IEEE 802.11b
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| Features: |
Easy-to-use Setup Wizard
Strong security features, including 128-bit wireless security (WEP) and support for 802.11b standards
Broadband Network Utility for easy monitoring of your network status
Connects to a computer through its USB port
Toll-free product support, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week |
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| Description: |
| The Microsoft MN-510 Wireless USB Adapter makes it easy to securely add any USB-equipped computer to the 802.11b wireless network in your home or small office and share a broadband connection, such as a cable or DSL modem. The Microsoft Wireless USB Adapter supports 128-bit wireless security (WEP) to protect your network from unauthorized access. It also includes the Microsoft Broadband Network Utility allowing you to easily monitor your network status. |
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| User Reviews (21 total): |
Page 1 of Total 1 Pages
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Great Product, April 24, 2004
By Darren Bareuther (Folsom, Ca United States)
I purshased this USB adapter to my computer to connect with my home network and it has worked great. I was interested in finding if the wireless network would work as well as a wired network and I am quite happy with its performance.
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Simple and Reliable, March 15, 2004
By unknown
The MN-510 is an easy way to connect your remote PCs easily and without wires to your home network. The install wizard basically guides you through the install and connectivity with the base station is great. One nice thing about this adaper as compared to some slot-style B & G adapters is that the 510 allows you to move the unit because of the USB cable, thus taking advantage of the best position for signal strength. I've installed 6 of these and all in all a great product.
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Works, looks good, what more could you ask?, January 7, 2004
By Chris Saul (San Jose, CA United States)
Compared with most other USB wireless adapters, the MN-510 is small and looks good. And it works very well too. I installed it in seconds with my Windows XP system and it worked flawlessly from the start. What more could you ask?
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Small and Reliable, January 4, 2004
By DrNarcan (Chicago, IL United States)
Pros: Small, reliable, never drops, great range (I think I tried it from about 100 ft and got close to 100%), software is easy to use (the CD takes care of pretty much everything). HASSLEFREE!!!Cons: You could probably save a couple bucks if you use D-Link or something. Not as stylish as the little stick ones like WUSB12 from Linksys.
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A nice piece of technology when it works right, January 2, 2004
By Jacob Anderson (Greeley, Colorado)
I have purchased a total of 2 of these USB adaptors for my laptops. They work fine, if you don't move them very much. However, due to the mobility of laptops, which Microsoft may have overlooked when designing this, both of the USB plugs have developed a short. If you wiggle the cable just right it works fine, but if you try and move it after that, it shorts out and stops working. Laptop users be warned
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Good product overall, October 12, 2003
By charlyhad (Mesa, AZ United States)
Installation was somewhat lengthy and more involved, with a fairly longer manual, than expected. It would not sustain a connection initially, and I couldn't find an easy and quick tech support (800) number. Eventually, I had to uninstall, then reinstall (twice), and reset my access point/router (D-Link DI-713P), and I was almost ready to give up. Finally it started working and no problems since (hopefully never). Maybe with the Microsoft base station, things would have gone smoother. I am not sure why Microsoft has to make a bigger and more complicated production out of things, and I wish in retrospect I stayed with D-Link products. I knocked off two stars because of this. The best part of my purchase however was the seller (just great), otherwise I probably would have returned or resold it.
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TAKE OUT AND AND PLUG IN, October 10, 2003
By unknown
It looks like I am the only one having big trouble with this adapter. We have a wireless network on campus. The first time I tried to connect, it just won't detect the network. After 30 minutes it just started working all by itself. But that's not the end of the story. Now every time I turn my computer on, I must pull this thing out after I have logged in and plug it back otherwise it won't acquire IP and keep on say "Network Unavailable". Some times I need to pull it quite a few times before it gets IP. I don't know but I would rather go for something else next time.
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Works with WinXP, August 19, 2003
By unknown
I tried using the wireless-G PCI adapter from D-link, and while their router was great, the PCI card was crashing and freezing my computer left and right. It was quite a bit of hastle and frustration, and their tech support was nada.Went and got this adapter from Microsoft, and not only did it go right in, but it worked flawlessly with WinXP, just as you would expect it to, being the same company. It's a little pricey, but just like a 3Com card, it's the compatiability and the reliability you're paying for. It should also be noted, this product has about a 5' usb wire which must be hooked up to the computer (as opposed to the keyring-looking USB adapters out there), which sort of begs the whole notion of "wireless."
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GREAT!!!! Something that really works!, June 22, 2003
By Movie Maker (USA)
Not only did I buy one for my PC I also have one hooked up to my TiVo DVR to download the channel listings... Very easy to set up...Step 1. Plug into USB port. Step 2. Install included Software Driver(If needed) Step 3. Configure Network settings(If needed) Took me less than 5 mins and instant wireless.... Great Job Microsoft......!!
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Install and forget about it, June 21, 2003
By unknown
I use this unit for 5 months along with the base station and laptop card from Microsoft. Not a single problem with any of Microsoft network components including this one. Customer service works well. I checked it after installing the network software on Windows 2000 simply because it was a note in the manual that Windows 2000 installation is more complicated, then for other systems. I installed it on Windows 2000, Windows XP and Windows 98. All PCs talking to each other fine since then.
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Beauty after the Firewall, June 19, 2003
By unknown
Love the MS Network system (I use XP as an OS) Performs flawlessly now (1 year), but only after I "fixed" a problem: I had heard of folks with all types of network routers getting the "Blue Screen" and an auto reboot on a frequent,erratic basis. In my case, it was completely fixed by eliminating the firewall present in my PC Cillin anti virus software. Seems the firewall built into the MS network had a resource conflict with the firewall put up by PC Cillin. SInce then, the wireless network has operated perfectly at all times, and connects two PC's on different floors at high speed to each opther and to the DSL. Very happy with the total system.
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awww...so small!, April 25, 2003
By Kang (Los Angeles, CA USA)
It's smaller then a thin wallet (mine). Heck! The wire it heavier then the unit itself!Anyways, this USB adapter worked beautifully. Had a bit of problem installing the base station, but making this piece of technology work is as simple as installing the software, and connecting this baby to a USB port. Almost immediately was the wireless network online. Not sure if it'll help in buying decision, but I run this on Windows XP.
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Cute and worked immediately, April 9, 2003
By sgspearman (Louisville, CO United States)
After struggling with an older D-link PCI card, I decided to try out this MS 510 adapter. Usually, the PCI card should be a bit faster, but I had always struggled with my old one and the software was still not XP-certified.The MS box hooked right up and worked immediately and some of the problems I had with throughput and stop/starts disappeared. This is a very cute unit - tiny and requiring no power supply other than from the USB. Just be aware that it must be a powered USB port (like most computers) and not an unpowered hub. My throughput rate was over 600k up and down which is very close to my actual broadband capacity - very pleased with it!
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Excellent - better than DLink, April 8, 2003
By R. Mullin (Sioux City, IA USA)
Replaced Dlink's similar 120d USB adapter, and immediately had faster connection, with no dropouts. The Dlink units (I have had two of them) can't hold a candle to this. The software is easy to set up, too.
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Easy Easy Easy & Excellent Customer Service, April 5, 2003
By M. Haines (Overland Park, KS)
I bought this wireless USB adapter in conjuntion with the Microsoft wireless base station and found it easy, easy, easy to install. Installation went seamlessly. It's fast. A few weeks later, however, I had trouble setting up file sharing when I added a new desktop with XP Home (I am using XP Pro on my other PC) to my existing network. I called their tech support who was EXCELLENT and not only got my network back up but transferrred me to the XP Home tech who assisted me with the file sharing. They even followed up with a call and an email! Wow! Who gets customer service like that these days! I have recently added an older laptop to my network using this same USB adapter (since it cannot accomodate a wireless card) and it works great! You want a broadband network?...then buy this product!
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MS should stick to software, February 27, 2003
By bpschroder (Denver, CO United States)
Broadband connection software is great. Wireless connectivity is low to non-existent. If you are having problems with reception or dropouts steer clear from this unit. After having trouble with Linksys equipment, I tried the MS equipment and it performed much worse or not at all.
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Sweet and easy..., December 10, 2002
By Daniel Whang (Atlanta, GA United States)
I live in a townhome with 4 bedrooms. I bought the Microsoft home base unit with 4 of these Wireless USB Adapters. We hooked up all 4 units with ease. The wizards worked flawlessly. Pretty much, all you need to do is click on "Next" and nothing else, and you're pretty much set. I have the base unit downstairs, and 3 of the USB adapters upstairs, and all of them get the reception fine... a "Very Good" rating instead of Excellent though. It's good enough to watch a movie wirelessly. Also, I have a computer hooked up to it by ethernet cables, a laptop with integrated wireless, and an Xbox hooked up. Every machine is working fine.
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Excellent, October 14, 2002
By Randy Given (Manchester, CT USA)
This is a combined review of the MN-500 / MN-510 / MN-610 since they are combined (the MN-610 is a kit of a MN-500 base station and MN-510 USB adapter). The base station installed up to the very end. It said that the installation could not complete because of a firewall or similar problem. I checked, re-checked and re-booted many times. However, I could get through to the Internet, so I had no idea why it would not continue the installation. I ended up calling technical support and they were very helpful. Since I was connecting to the Internet, everything was configured. It just would not complete and make a floppy that could be used on the other systems. So, that part had to be done manually. I was glad support was quick and helpful.Installing the first other station was very easy, but the second was more problematic. Still, compared to other network installations, it was pretty easy. Throughput is pretty impressive. In fact, it is just as fast on the others as it was on my base station BEFORE the wireless network. My base station varies from the same performance to THREE TIMES what it was before. I am guessing that the router doing the firewall instead of the OS doing it may account for most of the improvement. Overall, we are very happy with it.
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disappointed, October 9, 2002
By Shianglin Wu (Dublin, CA)
Got it in a local store together with the MS router. As a software engineer, I consider this adapter setup to be extremely difficult. (provided if you try to turn on the wireless security feature). The router itself is good though.Once I get it working, the software indicates connection is excellent while the speed is way below the wired connection. I am not sure where went wrong but the speed is really bad even I have a cable modem connection. I'd want to try a different brand.
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