What's a good wireless g adapter for W98SE?

I was just advised that my daughter needs a wireless adapter in her computer
when she returns to school this year. She's moving to an off-campus
apartment that has a wireless network for connecting to the net. Her
computer is a 5 year old P III running W98SE. I've always used Linksys
hardware for my home network and it couldn't have been easier to set up, so
I hadn't planned on looking at any other brands. But in looking for reviews
on the seemingly popular Linksys WMP54G, I've found that a lot of folks have
had major problems getting it to work, especially on W98SE systems. Another
popular adapter, the D-Link DWL-G520 apparently has problems with Sound
Blaster sound cards (same IRQ?), which most of the world uses.

Can anyone recommend an alternative? What have other users experienced with
various brands? Are USB adapters a worthwhile alternative?

Thanks.

Tom McFarland

In article <(E-Mail Removed)>, "Tom McFarland"
<(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
>I was just advised that my daughter needs a wireless adapter in her computer
>when she returns to school this year. She's moving to an off-campus
>apartment that has a wireless network for connecting to the net. Her
>computer is a 5 year old P III running W98SE. I've always used Linksys
>hardware for my home network and it couldn't have been easier to set up, so
>I hadn't planned on looking at any other brands. But in looking for reviews
>on the seemingly popular Linksys WMP54G, I've found that a lot of folks have
>had major problems getting it to work, especially on W98SE systems. Another
>popular adapter, the D-Link DWL-G520 apparently has problems with Sound
>Blaster sound cards (same IRQ?), which most of the world uses.
>
>Can anyone recommend an alternative? What have other users experienced with
>various brands? Are USB adapters a worthwhile alternative?
>
>Thanks.
>
>Tom McFarland

I only have experience with 802.11b on W98SE, and I've used all of
these adapters successfully:

USB: Netgear MA101, Netgear MA111, D-Link DWL-122
PC Card: Netgear MA401, Netgear MA521, Microsoft MN-520, SMC 2635W

I especially like the MA521, which has a very nice configuration
program and is smaller than most PC cards.

There's a great sale on D-Link wireless adapters at Office Depot
through Saturday, August 21, with prices as low as $9.98 after mail-in
rebates.

For Internet access, 802.11g has no advantage over 802.11b -- both of
them are much faster than the fastest home cable modem or DSL
services.

I like USB adapters for desktop computers and PC cards for notebook
computers.
--
Best Wishes,
Steve Winograd, MS-MVP (Windows Networking)

Please post any reply as a follow-up message in the news group
for everyone to see. I'm sorry, but I don't answer questions
addressed directly to me in E-mail or news groups.

Microsoft Most Valuable Professional - Windows Networking
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com

Steve Winograd's Networking FAQ
http://www.bcmaven.com/networking/faq.htm

Thanks for the recommendations, Steve. Guess I should have mentioned that
it's a desktop system, so was looking at PCI cards. Why do you prefer USB
for desktops?

I understand that 802.11b is sufficient for Internet access, but I was
looking ahead at my next home network upgrade, which will probably be to
wireless. We do a lot of file sharing, especially large files like MP3s,
and also back up one system to another when connected to the home LAN. On
the other hand, a one year 802.11b solution for Internet access at school at
a bargain price is certainly worth looking into. Unfortunately, our local
Office Depot recently closed, so I'll have to see if there's another nearby.

Tom McFarland


"Steve Winograd [MVP]" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> In article <(E-Mail Removed)>, "Tom McFarland"
> <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
> >I was just advised that my daughter needs a wireless adapter in her
computer
> >when she returns to school this year. She's moving to an off-campus
> >apartment that has a wireless network for connecting to the net. Her
> >computer is a 5 year old P III running W98SE. I've always used Linksys
> >hardware for my home network and it couldn't have been easier to set up,
so
> >I hadn't planned on looking at any other brands. But in looking for
reviews
> >on the seemingly popular Linksys WMP54G, I've found that a lot of folks
have
> >had major problems getting it to work, especially on W98SE systems.
Another
> >popular adapter, the D-Link DWL-G520 apparently has problems with Sound
> >Blaster sound cards (same IRQ?), which most of the world uses.
> >
> >Can anyone recommend an alternative? What have other users experienced
with
> >various brands? Are USB adapters a worthwhile alternative?
> >
> >Thanks.
> >
> >Tom McFarland
>
> I only have experience with 802.11b on W98SE, and I've used all of
> these adapters successfully:
>
> USB: Netgear MA101, Netgear MA111, D-Link DWL-122
> PC Card: Netgear MA401, Netgear MA521, Microsoft MN-520, SMC 2635W
>
> I especially like the MA521, which has a very nice configuration
> program and is smaller than most PC cards.
>
> There's a great sale on D-Link wireless adapters at Office Depot
> through Saturday, August 21, with prices as low as $9.98 after mail-in
> rebates.
>
> For Internet access, 802.11g has no advantage over 802.11b -- both of
> them are much faster than the fastest home cable modem or DSL
> services.
>
> I like USB adapters for desktop computers and PC cards for notebook
> computers.
> --
> Best Wishes,
> Steve Winograd, MS-MVP (Windows Networking)
>
> Please post any reply as a follow-up message in the news group
> for everyone to see. I'm sorry, but I don't answer questions
> addressed directly to me in E-mail or news groups.
>
> Microsoft Most Valuable Professional - Windows Networking
> http://mvp.support.microsoft.com
>
> Steve Winograd's Networking FAQ
> http://www.bcmaven.com/networking/faq.htm

In article <OZs#(E-Mail Removed)>, "Tom McFarland"
<(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
>> I only have experience with 802.11b on W98SE, and I've used all of
>> these adapters successfully:
>>
>> USB: Netgear MA101, Netgear MA111, D-Link DWL-122
>> PC Card: Netgear MA401, Netgear MA521, Microsoft MN-520, SMC 2635W
>>
>> I especially like the MA521, which has a very nice configuration
>> program and is smaller than most PC cards.
>>
>> There's a great sale on D-Link wireless adapters at Office Depot
>> through Saturday, August 21, with prices as low as $9.98 after mail-in
>> rebates.
>>
>> For Internet access, 802.11g has no advantage over 802.11b -- both of
>> them are much faster than the fastest home cable modem or DSL
>> services.
>>
>
>>> I like USB adapters for desktop computers and PC cards for notebook
>>> computers.
>Thanks for the recommendations, Steve. Guess I should have mentioned that
>it's a desktop system, so was looking at PCI cards. Why do you prefer USB
>for desktops?
>
>I understand that 802.11b is sufficient for Internet access, but I was
>looking ahead at my next home network upgrade, which will probably be to
>wireless. We do a lot of file sharing, especially large files like MP3s,
>and also back up one system to another when connected to the home LAN. On
>the other hand, a one year 802.11b solution for Internet access at school at
>a bargain price is certainly worth looking into. Unfortunately, our local
>Office Depot recently closed, so I'll have to see if there's another nearby.
>
>Tom McFarland

Using a PCI card with a desktop requires having a slot free, opening
the case, and installing the card. If the card has an antenna, it's
hard to position it for best performance, and cables get twisted up on
it. A USB adapter is easy to install and easy to position for best
performance when connected via a suitably long USB cable.

Office Depot has a PCI 802.11b card for $9.98 (after rebates) this
week, too. Rebates are available if you buy from their web page.

I wasn't thinking of transferring large files. That could well make
802.11g better for you.
--
Best Wishes,
Steve Winograd, MS-MVP (Windows Networking)

Please post any reply as a follow-up message in the news group
for everyone to see. I'm sorry, but I don't answer questions
addressed directly to me in E-mail or news groups.

Microsoft Most Valuable Professional - Windows Networking
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com

Steve Winograd's Networking FAQ
http://www.bcmaven.com/networking/faq.htm

"Tom McFarland" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:OZs%(E-Mail Removed)...
> Thanks for the recommendations, Steve. Guess I should have mentioned that
> it's a desktop system, so was looking at PCI cards. Why do you prefer USB
> for desktops?
>
> I understand that 802.11b is sufficient for Internet access, but I was
> looking ahead at my next home network upgrade, which will probably be to
> wireless. We do a lot of file sharing, especially large files like MP3s,
> and also back up one system to another when connected to the home LAN. On
> the other hand, a one year 802.11b solution for Internet access at school
> at
> a bargain price is certainly worth looking into. Unfortunately, our local
> Office Depot recently closed, so I'll have to see if there's another
> nearby.
>
> Tom McFarland
>

Another reason for .11g would be if you plan on using encryption on your
or the school's net. Any encryption slows things down, and so having more
bandwidth would be a plus.

Dick Kistler

Thanks for the explanation about the USB adapters, Steve. Makes a lot of
sense.

Tom McFarland

"Steve Winograd [MVP]" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> In article <OZs#(E-Mail Removed)>, "Tom McFarland"
> <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
> >> I only have experience with 802.11b on W98SE, and I've used all of
> >> these adapters successfully:
> >>
> >> USB: Netgear MA101, Netgear MA111, D-Link DWL-122
> >> PC Card: Netgear MA401, Netgear MA521, Microsoft MN-520, SMC 2635W
> >>
> >> I especially like the MA521, which has a very nice configuration
> >> program and is smaller than most PC cards.
> >>
> >> There's a great sale on D-Link wireless adapters at Office Depot
> >> through Saturday, August 21, with prices as low as $9.98 after mail-in
> >> rebates.
> >>
> >> For Internet access, 802.11g has no advantage over 802.11b -- both of
> >> them are much faster than the fastest home cable modem or DSL
> >> services.
> >>
> >
> >>> I like USB adapters for desktop computers and PC cards for notebook
> >>> computers.
> >Thanks for the recommendations, Steve. Guess I should have mentioned
that
> >it's a desktop system, so was looking at PCI cards. Why do you prefer
USB
> >for desktops?
> >
> >I understand that 802.11b is sufficient for Internet access, but I was
> >looking ahead at my next home network upgrade, which will probably be to
> >wireless. We do a lot of file sharing, especially large files like MP3s,
> >and also back up one system to another when connected to the home LAN.
On
> >the other hand, a one year 802.11b solution for Internet access at school
at
> >a bargain price is certainly worth looking into. Unfortunately, our
local
> >Office Depot recently closed, so I'll have to see if there's another
nearby.
> >
> >Tom McFarland
>
> Using a PCI card with a desktop requires having a slot free, opening
> the case, and installing the card. If the card has an antenna, it's
> hard to position it for best performance, and cables get twisted up on
> it. A USB adapter is easy to install and easy to position for best
> performance when connected via a suitably long USB cable.
>
> Office Depot has a PCI 802.11b card for $9.98 (after rebates) this
> week, too. Rebates are available if you buy from their web page.
>
> I wasn't thinking of transferring large files. That could well make
> 802.11g better for you.
> --
> Best Wishes,
> Steve Winograd, MS-MVP (Windows Networking)
>
> Please post any reply as a follow-up message in the news group
> for everyone to see. I'm sorry, but I don't answer questions
> addressed directly to me in E-mail or news groups.
>
> Microsoft Most Valuable Professional - Windows Networking
> http://mvp.support.microsoft.com
>
> Steve Winograd's Networking FAQ
> http://www.bcmaven.com/networking/faq.htm

Thanks for the information, Dick. I'm not sure what the setup is at school
(actually an off-campus apartment) regarding encryption. I'll have to call
them and get more information.

Tom McFarland


"Dick Kistler" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
>
> "Tom McFarland" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:OZs%(E-Mail Removed)...
> > Thanks for the recommendations, Steve. Guess I should have mentioned
that
> > it's a desktop system, so was looking at PCI cards. Why do you prefer
USB
> > for desktops?
> >
> > I understand that 802.11b is sufficient for Internet access, but I was
> > looking ahead at my next home network upgrade, which will probably be to
> > wireless. We do a lot of file sharing, especially large files like
MP3s,
> > and also back up one system to another when connected to the home LAN.
On
> > the other hand, a one year 802.11b solution for Internet access at
school
> > at
> > a bargain price is certainly worth looking into. Unfortunately, our
local
> > Office Depot recently closed, so I'll have to see if there's another
> > nearby.
> >
> > Tom McFarland
> >
>
> Another reason for .11g would be if you plan on using encryption on your
> or the school's net. Any encryption slows things down, and so having more
> bandwidth would be a plus.
>
> Dick Kistler
>
>