Linksys by Cisco WMP54G Wireless-G PCI Adapter

Linksys Wireless-G PCI Adapter
I'm using this card to communicate with a another desktop PC (Win 2000 on both desktops) and a laptop (Win 98 - also connecting to the office network via a VPN) in another room via a Linksys WAG54G wireless gateway/router/modem. The other desktop and the laptop are wired. The wireless machine is only about 5 metres from the gateway so only transmitting over a short distance.

Installation was a breeze. Installed the software, following the simple instructions. Installed the card and after making a few small configuration adjustments, was up and running. Set up wireless security, using 128-bit WEP encryption with no detectable decrease in performance. I've also reduced power output to 50% and there's still plenty of signal. I haven't experienced the drop-outs that one other reviewer mentioned.

The instructions that come with the gateway and card are brief and basic but are easy to follow. There's also plenty of excellent and thorough information available on the Linksys web site and...
Good for games, use it with Linksys gear though
I bought this along with a Linksys Router. It went through one wall and was about 2 metres away, so not that testing (needless to say the signal was 'excellent' status always). It's important to install the drivers first, otherwise you will get problems. This is annoying because if after a reformat (of hardrive), you have to open up your PC, remove the card and then load the drivers and then reinstall the card (could try disabling device in Device Manager, but that didn't work for me).

But the good news, It worked flawlessly (even while the USB WIFI adaptor on other PC was disconnecting on rare occasions). I played online games, and it was so fast and reliable. I got average pings of 20 so long as nothing was being downloaded (reliablility and pings are also (more so) dependent on the ISP, not just the hardware, but I thought I'll mention it. The ISP then was Plusnet (excellent latency), and now we have Sky Broadband and their ping sucks.

Then the Linksys router...
Job Done!!
Well chuffed. After moving to a new house the last thing i felt like doing was running a phone extension line, at 20 meteres quality was rubbish, so i went for this little beauty and have so far had no problems. Signal is excellent from upstairs and feels like im browsing over ethernet. Used xp's own wireless info to set up and it works a treat, am connecting at present to a netgear router and they seem to like each other. If only it had WPA i would be well happy.Highly recommened and good value.

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