| TRENDnet TEW-423PI 54Mbps Wireless G PCI Adapter |
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Model: TEW423PI
Brand: TRENDnet
Manufacturer: TRENDnet
Average Rating: 
(submit your review here)
Total Reviews: 107
Form factor: Plug-in card
Hardware platform: PC
Data link protocol: IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g
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| Features: |
Wi-Fi Compliant with IEEE 802.11g and IEEE 802.11b Standards
Uses 2.4 GHz Frequency Band, which Complies with Worldwide Requirements
Supports Ad-Hoc (Peer-to-Peer) Mode or Infrastructure (AP-Client) Mode
Dynamic Data Rate Scaling at 54, 48, 36, 24, 18, 12, 9 and 6Mbps for 802.11g.
Compatible with Windows 98(SE)/ME/2000/XP |
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| Description: |
| The new Trendware TEW-423PI 54Mbps Wireless PCI Card cuts the wires to your desktop. It provides 54Mbps speed to handle bandwidth-intensive applications, using the 2.4 GHz frequency band. The card is also compliant with the IEEE 802.11g standard, making it backward compatible with 802.11b networks for assured compatibility. Advanced encryption provides secure access for your data. Remove the wires and take your desktop anywhere you need to be, with the TEW-423PI 54Mbps Wireless PCI Card. Compliant with IEEE 802.11g and 802.11b standards Detachable 2dBi dipole antenna with Reverse SMA Connector Supports 64/128-bit WEP and WPA-PSK Simple user setup and diagnostics utilities Compatible with Windows 98(SE), ME, 2000, XP(SP1/SP2) |
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| User Reviews (107 total): |
Page 1 2 3 4 5 of Total 5 Pages
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Easy to install. No problems...yet..., August 13, 2008
By user (Littleton, CO)
I was suspect about going with such a cheap product, but did so after reading the reviews. I found the product very easy to install and working just fine. I did have some problem between the driver with Microsoft XP. The driver is not "approved" by Microsoft and introduces a minor problem. It seems that I cannot use XP's personal profiles because of this. A bit of an irritant, but not a show stopper.
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Locked up my Windows XP mouse, disabled fast user switching, August 12, 2008
By user (Newport Coast, CA United States)
Do not buy this if you have Windows XP home. I don't know what OS other people were using. When I installed the drivers, it disabled fast user switching (and took away the icon screen that people use to log in). After logging in with a dialog, there were two messages about programs crashing and wanting to send info to microsoft. Then, the mouse would lock up for 30 seconds every few minutes. All of these problems were new, and they stayed over multiple reboots until I used system restore to uninstall the drivers. Then they went away. Finally, it could not connect to my network even though it showed over 70% strength. I would avoid this product.
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SW install unsuccessful, now cannot delete files, August 6, 2008
By user (Boise, ID United States)
I followed the instructions to install the software first. It caused a complaint about not passing Windows Logo testing, and a warning about making the system unstable. I chose to continue anyway. It appeared to finish, but I didn't get the windows printed in the manual. I shutdown, installed the card, and started up. I got an error that Microsoft Process Kill Utility has encountered a problem and needs to close. I sent the error report to Microsoft. I shutdown, removed the card, and started up. No errors. I removed the software with Add/Remove Programs, but it did not delete the Program Files\TRENDnet directory. I could not delete it manually because I didn't have access to the DLLs there. I don't know why, because nothing was running that used them. I restarted in safe mode and deleted the directory. I restarted, and got complaints about not being able to open certain kernel files. Great, it had burrowed in and left tentacles in my system. So I called technical support. A, I couldn't understand her. B, after consulting with a senior technician, she said I can't delete the directory because the system needs it there, but it was harmless to leave it there. C, she said to talk to my system administrator, even after I said it was my home computer and I'm the only one using it. This doesn't seem harmless to me. It seems like a virus. Time to wipe the disk.
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Good Card, Software Needs Work, August 3, 2008
By user (Davis, CA)
Pros: The card works great - strong reception and doesn't drop the connection. Good price.
Cons: The driver/utility software messes with Windows XP. Customer support is useless.
I installed this card following the provided directions, and chose to ignore the warning about the software not passing Windows logo testing. I soon noticed that my XP logon and logoff screens were different than usual. After a little bit of looking around, I discovered that fast user switching had been disabled by the software, and re-enabling it wasn't an option. Now, I never have good luck with tech support with these companies and usually do better figuring out the problem myself, but I decided to give them a chance. Total waste of time. After getting disconnected twice, I was finally talking to one of their support agents... kind of. I could barely communicate with her, and after telling me several times that there was no problem, she gave me a solution that was no where near correct. So I went back to troubleshooting on my own, and eventually came across the solution, which is to delete a particular registry value. If anyone else has this problem, you can refer to Microsoft KB article 302346 for the solution. I still don't know what the underlying cause is, but I suspect it's related to how the software tries to handle multiple user accounts.
Despite the above issue, the configuration utility interface itself is nice. It was very easy to find my router, enter the settings, and get connected. So overall, I have to say I'm happy with this product. It would just be nice if their software was tested a bit more thoroughly. A user really shouldn't have to get into deleting registry values to get back to normal after installing this product.
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Absolute zero!!! This company should go out of business, July 15, 2008
By user (Long Island, NY, USA)
This card is garbage. It works when it wants to. Sometimes it connects, other times it either won't connect under any circumstances short of pulling out the power of the router...then waiting until it is reinitialized. When that happens it connects at random speeds and continues to fall under total failure occurs. Not ever have I had such an annoying problem with a wireless card. I even went out of my way to spend a lil bit more for what I thought was a better quality card. I am extremely disappointed, really! I now have the cheapest wireless g-pci card I could find, and that one works flawlessly. Shame on TRENDnet for selling this rubbish!
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Poor Quality, July 13, 2008
By user
I sent this card back the day after I got it. First of all, the enclosed software would not install properly on my XP machine. Perhaps I got a bad copy of the CD. Seems unlikely. I ended-up running the card straight through windows but the speed fluctuated and was constantly slow. Calling customer service was a waste of time. No phone number is given in the manual so I had to go online using my laptop and get it. I waited on hold for more than half an hour and finally gave up. I was attracted to this product by the price and other users seem to have success with it. I did not. My advise, don't gamble on this one, spend a little more money, and get a quality product.
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Bargain price for a great wireless card, July 7, 2008
By user (NE Miss.)
This item works great with just the Realtek driver. The Trendnet software is cumbersome. I installed with just the driver and let Windows manage the card. I would buy again.
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Has a horrible transfer rate, June 25, 2008
By user (West Linn, Oregon)
For some reason it has a excellent connection but a transfer rate of 5.5 mbps and it kept dropping connections. I have a crummy laptop next to it that gets a better signal and strength then this card. I tried playing games on the internet with this and it contently dropped my signal. And no its not my router everything else i own is fine.
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No problems!, June 13, 2008
By user (La Crosse, WI)
It took a little longer than I anticipated for it to arrive, but that was no big deal anyhow. No problems!
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TRENDnet TEW-423PI Gives Bad Performance, June 12, 2008
By user (New York, USA)
Had problems with this product from day 1. Connect speeds were 24 Mbps or less and computer is only 15 feet from modem. Signal strength and link quality always at 100 percent. Contacted tech support and person assisting me helped to correct problem for 1 hour before problem returned. I feel unit is simply faulted. Others may have better success but I would not recommend this product.
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Easy installation, June 10, 2008
By user (Spacecoast, Florida)
Installs quickly - just ensure you are able to free up a PCI slot before ordering. PC this was put into is on the second floor of my townhouse. The wireless router is downstairs and connection speed is fine for surfing or downloading files. Haven't tried it with gaming since I use my laptop for that downstairs.
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Sadly, the card just doesn't seem to work well with Vista Home Premium, June 8, 2008
By user (Annandale, VA United States)
I have a self-built dual-core machine running Vista and 8 gigs of RAM. I have Verizon FIOS for internet service. While my PS3, my iMac G5, and my roommate's Powerbook G4 all work well, the Trendnet wireless PCI adapter is lucky to work for more than a few minutes at a time, and even then very slow.
In addition, the utilities required to run it create another layer of software to have to work through to get your connection, and it's bare-bones. Windows Vista doesn't really understand how to get it to ask for an IP address, so there's little you can do to prod it into life. Sometimes, Vista doesn't even recognize the card is there, suggesting plugging in an ethernet cable.
It sounds like I'm not alone in having problems with this card, and while it clearly works well for some people, I'd have to say you're definitely rolling the dice. The price is hard to beat for something that works, but easy to beat if it doesn't. My advice: save the packaging and be ready to have to return it.
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TRENDnet TEW-423PI 54Mbps Wireless G PCI Adapter, June 5, 2008
By user (Baltimore, MD USA)
Amazing range on this adapter. I get Excellent and "very good" signal ratings all day long. Adapts well w/ my computer and took NO TIME to install and get up and running. This product made my life easier. So signal booster to buy, just pure power.
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"TRENDnet PCI Adapter, Fit Like a Glove", June 3, 2008
By user (LEESBURG, FL. United States)
This was installed in a second computer in conjunction with a Belkin ME 1004-R wireless router. Both units seem compatible and work very well together. The TRENDnet wireless adapter fit perfectly into the card slot and there were no problems with it's installation or operation.
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mr. Jim, May 26, 2008
By user (Gales Ferry,CT USA)
this is a great product and recommend it to anyone who is looking to make there desktop wireless.
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Decent Card, May 23, 2008
By user (USA)
At first I was getting fustrated with the installtion. But I have got it to work after downloading the drivers directly from trendnet web site. Now it works prefectly.
So if you are looking for PnP (plug and play) then I would recommend another wifi card. But the product does work.
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Was I sent a 56k Wireless G?, May 22, 2008
By user (Seattle, USA)
DON'T BUY THIS!!!
Yeah thats right. Because I could not get a faster downstream then 133kbps that on this piece of garbage. A laptop using the same wireless router got a 13mbps downstream when it was sitting right next to the PC where this piece of junk was plugged into.
DON'T BUY THIS!!!
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Piece of Junk, May 19, 2008
By user (Vandalia, OH United States)
I was a little skeptical when I bought this, and for good reason. It locks up the network connection after about 15 minutes of use. I tried 3 different drivers and about 15 different configurations, using XP Home and a NetGear router. Ended up spending $16 on a NetGear USB wireless adapter NETGEAR WG111US Wireless-G USB 2.0 Adapter and it's worked absolutely flawlessly.
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Uncertain, April 28, 2008
By user (Calif., USA)
I purchased it refurbished and when I received it it did not work. I returned it. Was it a poor design or was it just one of those items that comes off the assembly line (and every product line has this problem) that just doesn't work right...I don't know which.
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Excellent Product!, April 15, 2008
By user (Seattle, WA USA)
Excellent product especially for the price = excellent value. It works automatically with Windows Vista - automatically installed the driver. That's not easy for me to say considering I hate Windows Vista, but was installing this product for my parents.
Installation would probably be easier if the computer I installed it on was a "normal" desktop size. I installed it on a Dell that is 1/2 the size of a regular desktop (space saver type thing). I had to unscrew the card from the included bracket and reuse one of the existing brackets in the computer. After that was done, no problem! My guess is a regular desktop computer would have taken 5 minutes to install instead of taking me 10 minutes and I don't have much experience dealing with computer hardware.
I would definitely recommend this product to anyone and everyone looking for a cheap (in a good way) wireless networking card for a desktop computer.
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