I recently bought a Belkinwireless adaptor when I went into a house share and needed to have the internet. I use the internet but I know little about the technical side of things. I paid £19.99 for the adaptor in PC world who only had Belkin at the time which I thought was not expensive. However installing it was a nightmare.
The 3 easy steps on the box seemed so easy; Install the software, plug the adaptor into a USB PORT - start networking! If only it was that simple. Every time my computer searched for a network it crashed. I phoned the Belkin company who took me step by step through the technical part and still we could not get internet. Eventually the Belkin assistant told my for some reason my computer was not recognising the new network. Being increasingly frustrated I considered taking the adaptor back for a refund but wonderered if there was anything wrong with my computer. Luckily for me a friend knew what to do. Belkin mentioned nothing about the settings of the router matching the settings of the adaptor. After this was sorted I was online again.
If only that was the only problem. I rarely have a strong connection, it is always low or very low and sometimes good and when I turn on the computer (I have broadband) I always have to click repair to connect to the web. My computer is only on the floor above where the router is so I do not understand this. This is a hassle but I can live with it. Also I often loose the connection - usually when I am doing something important! I do not know how long it will be before I need to buy another.
The packaging looks impressive with a silver and white box giving information about 54 mbps 2.4GHz and being a 'G' 802.11g If gives a picture of the adaptor and the holder so you can move it about for the best reception. Mostly like a lot of these types of products the box contains a lot of air with a CD and the adaptor, a holder and some more blurb. There is also a phone number for free technical support - vital as you could be on the phone to them for hours.
Overall I am relatively happy with the adaptor, I have the internet on my computer although it disconnects me and I have to 'repair' it everytime I log on. I feel that the software could of been more useful and the information on the box could of saved me a lof of grief. The technical staff were very good being as helpful as they could be, however in my case I needed help from a techy know-how friend.
I hope this information will be helpful to others.
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Sometimes the need to run the repair is not so much the fault of the wireless software but the PCs firewall not initialising fully before it tries to connect. I also find that these get quite hot especially when plugged directly into a PC/laptop rather than the supplied extension lead/holder.
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USB-equipped desktop or notebook computer to your wireless network for Internet and file sharing. Desktop users can now join the network with the ease of a USB plug...
The Wireless G USB Network Adapter easily connects your USB-equipped desktop or notebook ... more
computer to your wireless network for Internet and file sharing. Desktop users can now join the network with the ease of a USB plug-in, without opening their PC ca...
Postage & Packaging: £4.39 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Advantages: Wireless connectivity - Supplied with stand - Fast data transfer - Good Price Disadvantages: Temperamental Software, Stand Falls Over - Installation hit & miss
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