Linksys Wireless G PCI Adapter with SRX400

Average customer rating: 2.5

Do NOT buy if you are using LINUX!
Up And Running After a Little Fiddling

Linksys Wireless G PCI Adapter with SRX400

Manufacturer: Linksys
Product Group: CE
Binding: Electronics
ASIN: B000FAO7KE

Related Categories:

Networking & Online Communication

Networking & Online Communication

Product Description

The Linksys Wireless G PCI Adapter with SRX400 lets you put your computer almost anywhere in the building, without the cost and hassle of running network cables. Now you don't have to drill holes in your walls and climb through the attic or cellar to get connected to the network. It's the simple way to add or upgrade wireless connectivity in your desktop computer. 802.11g and 802.11b standards New SRX technology - Up to 10 times faster than standard Wireless-G (802.11g) SRX also increases wireless range by up to 3 times; reduces dead spots in coverage area Works with SRX, SRX200, standard Wireless-G and Wireless-B networks Installs in most desktop and tower PCs External antenna System Requirements - Microsoft Windows 2000 or XP Dimensions - 4.8 x 8.7 x 0.9

Customer Reviews:

Do NOT buy if you are using LINUX!.......2007-03-24

I made the mistake of buying this product when my entire house uses Linux. I figured it would probably be autodetected, and if it wasn't, I could use ndiswrapper. Yea right. This thing was pretty much a doorstop for me. It's adapter was undetected, the wireless signal it put out for my working (non-SRX400) adapter was EXTREMELY poor, and overall it was a huge rip off. I just sent it back for a return and bought the latest version of the Linksys WRT54G Wireless-G Router. Please, get that! Don't fall for this overpriced scam, especially if you use Linux.

LINUX USERS BEWARE!

(By the way, I'm an Ubuntu 6.10 user, in case you're interested)

Up And Running After a Little Fiddling.......2007-01-07

Nearly all components for our home network are Linksys (a very few Buffalo components that are being replaced over time). The network currently supports 4 desktops (1 linux, 1 Win2000, 2 WinXP), four laptops (1 linux, 3 WinXP), and four printers with a broadband internet connection.

[...]

The install onto a Windows 2000 SP-4 English system was fairly straightforward, just one glitch. The setup requests that the adapter be put into the PC only after installing the driver, but following these instructions the setup software does not properly execute on reboot after inserting the hardware. After three tries, I decided to try the hardware install before the software (i.e., do what Linksys' instructions say not to...), and it worked like a charm. From that point, configuring the card and connecting to the network took 1-2 minutes.

In terms of performance, using a Linksys SRX-400 wireless router (a product that is matched specifically to this adapter) in a room that is located one floor above and one room away from the router, signal strength was marginally better (four percentage points on Linksys' configuration monitor or ~5.6% stronger) than with the previous Linksys wireless G "with Speedbooster" adapter. Throughput seems to be faster, but I have not performed any serious testing to confirm. Note that the nearness of the PC to the router limits the "SRX" capability. I suspect that the relative performance (i.e., compared against a "standard" 802.11g setup) would improve with some increased distance.

Buyers should note that there is no manual shipped with the adapter. If you want one, you must print from the CD or download from Linksys' internet site.

Conclusions:
* You can safely buy this product for use on Windows 2000 (and probably also Windows XP, but I didn't install on that platform).
* The product exhibited no problems on an average home network configured almost exclusively with Linksys components.
* The PC would be good for someone building a wireless network from scratch or upgrading from 802.11b equipment.
* However, if you are considering a replacement of an existing Linksys "speedbooster" adapter AND your PC is not far from the router AND you are experiencing solid throughput performance, the upgrade may not be worthwhile.
* You should be prepared to try a few workarounds on the software and hardware installation sequence.

Hope this helps!

Electronics:

Electronics

Electronics