I was a bit worried about getting it installed on XP, but it went without a hitch. You have to say Yes to the unsigned drivers, but everything installed fine with no driver errors. However, you do need to configure this device from a Windows computer via USB. Once you configure the access point, you no longer have to have it connected via the USB.

They should have put some documentation in the software, but it's pretty self explanatory. Don't forget to set the encryption to at least 64bit. Also don't forget to set the 4 keys! Just enter a bunch of numbers and write it down so you can then do the same thing on the pc connecting into the network.

My issue, which eventually resulted in returning both items, was that I could not find a location for the AP that would allow a good connection everywhere within my house. I have a finished attic that I use as an office where the router is located, but putting the AP in two locations in the office still resulted in poor / no reception on first floor; a first floor AP location left me with no reception in the office. Finally pulled another hardwired location to a 2nd floor bedroom, and reception was marginally acceptable up and downstairs, but not on my back deck.

Maybe a different client card, maybe a marginal unit, who knows? I would recommend this for it ease of use and price for persons in small homes or requiring limited roaming capability.

The Bad:
I have called a technical support line once in the past four years (long time sys admin). I have been on the line three times with Netgear and still no resolution. This should be an indication of complexity. The "manual" included is a poster. A PDF setup manual (on CD) is only slightly better and simply does not explain the setup program options. I should qualify that setting up the access point as an open point (no encyption) is fairly straight forward for experienced wireless admins. The WEP tools are poor at best -- e.g., hexidecimal keys only (no pass phrase supported). Warning: Tech support seems to be outsourced to an offshore group and there are some language issues.

The Good:
The unit does have good reception and output -- regularly connect at 11 Mbps even several dozen feet away from the access point in a "noisy" office. Connecting the unit is simple. The provided USB cable and CAT 5 cable are a nice bonus.

Notes:
May not work well with the Dell TrueMobile 1150 wireless card used in Dell laptops -- WEP encryption is a problem.

I can virtually walk anywhere in my house and still can surf the internet. It's absolutely wonderful!

On the downside, the documentation is VERY SCARCE! The configuration screens are not very intuitive - and it could be a nightmare for network newbies.

Besides that I'll recommend it.

DSL
!
HUB---
\-Main home Computer \-Access Point \-Laptop connection

Manual is almost non-existent but useable. I was able to turn on security and get it to work - I used WEP64 with a set key on both ends (laptop with 802.11 card and Access Point).

Great value for the money, works like a charm.

Having said that, now that it's up and running, it's great. But if you're not a network or PC techie, be prepared for a fairly steep learning curve.

That said, the ME102 is a solid wireless access point that delivers 802.11b standard networking (I'm writing my review on a laptop in a downstairs room that's connected to the Netgear).

If you've done your homework and have decided upon an 802.11b solution, the ME102 is a product worthy of consideration.

Recommended

That said it was easy to setup, though it didn't have DHCP capability, so required me to set an IP address and it would have been better if they had allowed me to configure it via the net rather than a USB cable since it's on top of a tall bookshelf on the end of a 50' net cable (to get range).

But that said it's a pretty solid piece of hardware and works flawlessly within the confines of the standard.

Now for the good news... Once that was resolved, I have not had another problem with this. In fact, I even upgraded to Windows XP from Windows 98se and still had no problems. (Now that is impressive...just about every other piece of hardware did have troubles with XP when it was first released!)

So all in all, I am now very happy with this Access Point. But it only gets 3 stars because it was a really bad start.

Living in a 4 floor home with offices, we found some places we couldn't reach efficiently with cable. Because we started out originally with Netgear we decided to stay with them just in case there might be compatibility issues (we've haven't really ever found any though).

We connected the access point to a hard wire point or our network at a central point on our second floor with absolutely no problems. The accompanying connectors and software made set-up easy. We were up and going in a few minutes.

Signal strength has been great in all the locations we use. Currently we have 2 laptops and a desktop added to the network on the wireless system on various floors and through walls as well. We are having no problems at all.

One one older Netgear Switch (FS 108) we had some heat problems that others have noticed and written about as well. This isn't a problem with the wireless access point.

Basically I love the product-- In fact I've never gone wrong with Netgear.