| NETGEAR WG111 Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter (54 Mbps) |
 enlarge
|
Model: WG111
Brand: Netgear
Manufacturer: Netgear
Average Rating: 
(submit your review here)
Total Reviews: 57
Platforms: Windows
Form factor: External
Hardware platform: PC
Data link protocol: IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g
|
|
|
| |
| Features: |
Fast 54 Mbps speeds for your desktop or notebook PC; up to 5x faster than 802.11b
Experience improved range above most W-Fi networks
Plug into external USB slot for wireless connectivity at home, the office, or away
Compatible with existing 802.11b and 802.11g networks
Quick and easy setup with Smart Wizard install assistant |
| |
| Description: |
| NETGEAR's 54 Mbps Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter enables 54 Mbps wireless Internet access to either your desktop or notebook PC. Its antenna technology delivers greater range so you can move extended distances without losing your connection. Setup is now made quick and easy with a Smart Wizard install assistant. High-level WEP encryption shields your network from wireless eavesdroppers without sacrificing performance.This adapter supports office roaming for notebook PC users for shared broadband Internet access and resources. Gives you untethered mobility at home, the office, the airport, and other public hotspots. NETGEAR's Wireless LAN Manager lets you create profiles that reflect specific WLAN settings for each place you travel.The WG111 simply plugs into the external USB port of your PC, eliminating the need to open up your desktop PC. Gain full mobility with your notebook, or place your desktop anywhere in your home, without the need to use unsightly Ethernet cables. 802.11g standard compliance ensures interoperability with existing 802.11b and 802.11g networks. Setup is now made quick and easy with a new Smart Wizard install assistant.This adapter's compact, pocket-sized design allows it to be easily carried anywhere. |
| |
| User Reviews (57 total): |
Page 1 2 3 of Total 3 Pages
|
excellent, August 15, 2006
By snowblazedazer
perfect, this is exactly what i wanted, came brand new, in original packaging, and i havnt had any problems with it, works every time
|
Drops connection constantly with encryption, May 25, 2006
By Tony Maro
I have a VERY nice, expensive Netgear WG302 wireless access point. Using this adapter on W2K to talk to it if any sort of encryption is enabled it will drop the connection once every 5 seconds. I updated the firmware on the AP and downloaded newer drivers for the WG111 and it improved to only dropping once every two minutes. Signal strength is greater than 80%, so it's not that, and I have other wireless devices much further away from the AP that work fine.
You would think that it would work with their own hardware...
|
So far, the simplest to use., May 12, 2006
By A. Alvarez (Santa Ana, CA USA)
I bought my unit used on eBay about a year ago, so I don't know how old this really is. It's been working great, no drops. It works a little hot though.
Tip: If you have Windows XP, just install the provided software, then disable it and let Windows handle the connection. If you do this, you will never have to worry about connection drops or buggy software. Just plug it in and use it.
|
It works... for a while, March 29, 2006
By M. Garigan (Washington, DC)
Although the software interface wasn't the most sophisticated, the WG111 was easy to install and worked well enough for about six months. Then it started dropping connections to the various networks I'd been using, and now it doesn't connect at all. I've done quite a bit of troubleshooting; apparently, it's fairly common for the WG111 to crap out after several months. Don't buy it.
|
Great for TiVo, but make sure you get the right version, March 8, 2006
By Your Average Gadgeteer (McLean, VA USA)
I've used my WG111NA with a Series 2 TiVo for six months or so without a hitch. It has pretty good range and reception in my house (which is, admittedly, small) and was a snap to install and configure on the TiVo. After six months of continuous, always on operation it has yet to give me any trouble.
A word to the wise, however--you may not want to order this adapter online since it is very difficult (if not impossible) to know which version you will end up getting. I tried twice to order two different adapters online and both times got the wrong version. I ended up buying it at a local big-box retailer even though it cost more, just so that I could confirm the version.
|
Not For TiVo, February 28, 2006
By Godsogd (Lake Tahoe, NV)
After reading other reviews I decided to order this model, listed as a NetgearWG111, to use with my new TiVo system. What I received was a Netgear WG111USA, which IS NOT COMPLIANT with TiVo systems. After over a month I am still waiting for my refund to be credited to my card. The difference is in the details - get them right folks!
|
This Needs Another Firmware Upgrade., February 27, 2006
By S.M. (ASHEVILLE, NC United States)
OK, the smart wizard works well, but the computer this adapter is on, requires rebooting every so often so it can re-acquire the connection, and it runs hot to the touch. Otherwise works fast and fine. This is running on a fixed location desktop with a strong signal already, so I don't know what's amiss- hope the next upgrade helps.
|
To Reiterate VERSION 2 does NOT WORK WITH TIVO, February 23, 2006
By Sundance Gomez (Austin, TX)
Version 2 of this adapter will not work with TIVO. TIVO will not recognize this version the WG111. To find the right card make sure to look at the SERIAL NUMBERS on the box. They must start with '130' or 'WG72' if they don't have those serial numbers, you are out of luck.
|
Keeps making and breaking connection, February 17, 2006
By User Friendly
So I wrote a loooooooooooooong email to my boss, explaining a protocol we were designing to implement, and hit send, and guess what, the Netgear smart wizard was looking for the wireless connection from my router across the room... It couldn't find and make that connection and lost the webpage, and I ended up all fuming over this break in wireless network. I had to write that again as a word ducoment so that I can SAVE it before trusting this stupid USB adapter.
So this was just an example of what this thing is doing to me, and it has not happened just once. MANY TIMES has it lost the router, my laptop with in-built wireless adapter does not do this to me. And there's no cure for this stupid disease.
|
Bad News!, January 17, 2006
By M. Stonier
Don't get this adapter unless you are:
A: In an airconditioned room, and
B: Plan on using no operating system beyond Windows XP, and
C: Enjoy talking to brick walls for customer support.
I live in Australia. It is summer, and it is hot. And if being hot and sweaty isn't enough, my shiny new wireless adapter keeps dropping out every time I try to load a page. This makes me angry. This is purely a heat issue, having a fan blasting at it seems to solve the problem, but a well engineered device shouldn't NEED that.
I am also an IT student. I like the idea of experimenting with different operating systems. Like Windows XP x64 edition. And Linux. I dare anyone to get a straight answer out of Netgear Customer Support as to whether they plan to produce 64-bit drivers. Their solution is to cover their eyes and pretend the future doesn't exist.
My solution: cover your eyes and pretend Netgear doesn't exist. If you want a truly robust solution, buy a wireless bridge/client/access point. There is nothing to install internally or even any software to install, and they offer much more flexibility. I'm just frustrated I didn't do any research. I THOUGHT Netgear was a reputable company. How wrong I was.
|
|
|
v.2 Does Not Work With TiVo!!!!, January 9, 2006
By Generally Happy With Netgear (Boston, MA)
While version 1 (WG111v1) works with later versions of TiVo, Version 2 has not compatibility whatsoever. To make matters worse, it is impossible to tell which version you got until you open the friggin box and look -- which is totally ludicrous. Bait and Switch, people, Bait and Switch.
|
Owned for over a year, Works Perfectly as the day I bought!, January 6, 2006
By C. R. Pinder
I purchased this product along with the netgear wireless router with 4 ethernet ports, Plugged them both in and worked great from the beginning, Followed the usb 2.0 adapter suggestions to install the cd first and to let the wireless assistant control its connection. Immediately they connected and i was on the internet in seconds.
A few weeks later father noticed that we had other persons on our wireless connection so i put in security. And again no loss in connection or speed. I keep my computer on for days at a time and the adapter gets hot but its still going strong. A wonderful piece of technology, I am thinking about upgrading to the Super G or Pre N in the near future if price permits. :)
Oh yes forgot to mention that the initial setup allowed me internet access from behind two concrete walls at a distance of 75ft and a constant signal of 48mbps. Hope this was helpful
|
Caution, only certain serial numbers of this model work with tivo, January 5, 2006
By T. Quan
Call Tivo customer service with your serial number before buying.
|
Doesn't really work, December 28, 2005
By techusr
I bought this to use with my TIVO. The TIVO didn't recognize it because I was sent a v2 instead of v1. I tried to use it on my Windows XP and 2000 computers and both crashed repeatably. I am going to return it and look for a V1.
|
Strictly used for TiVo, December 8, 2005
By Snoopy
As many of you TiVo users know, it can be a very stressful event to try to find the right wireless adapter to connect your TiVo to a wiresless network. I, myself, had to search for quite some time and return a few adapters in order to get my TiVo wireless.
This adapter worked flawlessly. Plugged it in, it found my network, and voila....wireless TiVo.
This adapter will most likely work for the newer TiVo boxes. I got mine in April 2005. If you have an older version of the TiVo box, you will have to get the latest software update.
This is the adpater you want for your TiVo...look no further.
If you arte confused as to which adapter will work with your TiVo box, check out TiVo's website for a full list of compatible adapters.
UPDATE: After a little over two months, this thing broke...just broke. I called Netgear and they asked me to install it on a Windows computer, despite the fact that I have an Apple computer and use it only for TiVo. They said they could not determine the problem with the adapter unless I had a Windows computer so they would like me to go an find a computer with Windows XP, despire the fact that I only have a MAC. MAC users beware of the customer support at Netgear. You will be shunned. I asked to talk to upper management and they agreed to replace it after the whole "not catering to all customers" speech from me.
I'd like to change my product rating to ** and * for Netgear's customer service.
ANOTHER UPDATE: Netgear has sent me a replacement adapter. But guess what....it's the non-tivo-compatible adapter....I give up.
|
Horrible with TiVo! Beware!!, August 28, 2005
By Ben G. Robertson IV (Gastonia, NC USA)
I ordered this item directly from TiVo and my DVR didn't even recognize that it was there! TiVo says that it is compatible, but it is NOT. Order the Linksys or D-Link instead.
|
The good, the bad, and the ugly, August 22, 2005
By data geek
The good is the hardware. Neat, tidy, easy to hook up. The bad is the software, which is unreliable at best (not sure whether it's kludgy, or just doesn't work well -- tried with flavours of Windows from 95 through 2000 and XP pro.
The ugly is support: it has to be the worst I have ever run into on the 'net, and that's saying an awful lot...
|
Good speed, but heat issue, disconnects, August 20, 2005
By P. M. Ip (Cleveland, OH)
This adapter is great when it's working. However, I've noticed that in the hot summer days it would periodically stop working.
Hopefully when it cools down in the fall I won't have to periodically unplug and reinsert this thing to keep my connection alive.
Update: the cooler temps helped slightly, but it would still have intermittent issues when the room is under 60F. Don't buy this. Try your luck with some other brand.
|
Great Adapter - Not So Great for TiVo, July 19, 2005
By Michael Betz (Michigan)
This is a TiVo-approved wireless adapter, but note that they only approve Version 1. Good luck finding out what you're buying before ordering it.
That said, I got a Version 1 unit and found it worked wonderfully with TiVo. For about three hours. Then, it disconnected and took out the wireless side of my home network. TiVo says it doesn't like using a B/G adapter with a B router. Bogus, say I.
The WG111 works beautifully on my laptops.
Beware.
|
Recommended for TiVo Series 2 users., July 3, 2005
By Enrique Narez (Southern California, USA)
Bought this adapter so I could continue to get programming updates without a landline. Took it out of the packaging, plugged it in, changed the TiVo setting to accept a wireless network, done. That was it. A few clicks on the TiVo remote was all it took. It really couldn't have been easier. Highly recommended. Just make sure you have the updated TiVo software so it will accept wireless networks.
|
Page 1 2 3 of Total 3 Pages
|
|
| Copyright 2001-2007 WiFiReview.com |
|