neatnettricks

Hugger1 · Posted: Tue Nov 02, 2010 4:05 pm Post subject: Networking

Hi all;

We're moving in a few weeks and will be going from an ISP that provides a wireless router (B, G & N) to an ISP that just provides the modem. We'll have to provide the router. I'd like to go Wireless N, as two of my PC's (one desktop & one notebook) are Wireless N now. The problem is the other two PC's (one desktop & one notebook) are wireless B. I'd like to buy a Linksys Valet M10 Wireless N Router and buy two Linksys Valet Connector AM10 Wireless N USB Adapters for the Wireless B PC's. But in the requirements for the Linksys Valet Connector AM10 Wireless N USB Adapter it says USB 2.0 is required. But I know the two Wireless B PC's now have USB 1.1. My question is will the Linksys Valet Connector AM10 Wireless N USB Adapters work in the USB 1.1 PC's? If not I'll have to look at buying a backwards compatible router, which probably means D-Link. But I've always had trouble with SD-Link routers, so I\d rather not go that route if possible.

drcard · Posted: Tue Nov 02, 2010 7:20 pm Post subject:

Hi Hugger1,

Almost all USB devices are backward compatible to 1.1 , BUT I would not suggest this for wireless connection. Why? USB 2.0 is 40 times faster than 1.1 which means the connection will be very slow. There are work arounds.

For laptops you can get a PCMCIA card (if the laptop has a PCMCIA slot) that is a USB 2.0 port.

Here are a few examples:
http://www.amazon.com/s/qid=1223413305?ie=UTF8&rs=172282&keywords=pcmcia%20usb%202.0&bbn=541966&rnid=493964&rh=n%3A172282%2Ck%3Apcmcia%20usb%202.0%2Cn%3A541966

For Desktops there are USB 2.0 PCI cards.

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=PCI+USB+2.0+card&x=16&y=22

Both will operate at 2.0 speeds and will accept the adapter you refer to. As you will see these upgrade are very cheap.

HTH, Dana:))

Hugger1 · Posted: Wed Nov 03, 2010 5:55 am Post subject:

I'm going to use a wired connection for the desk top, it'll be close enough. I'm going to see if the notebook can support a PCMCIA card. If so, I'll run USB 2.0 in it. Thanks for the suggestion.

Hugger1 · Posted: Wed Nov 03, 2010 8:04 am Post subject:

Originally, I spoke with someone who has the same notebook and that is where I got the info. However, I did some research on this (online and called the store I bought it from). It turns out it has USB 2.0 and is set up for Wireless G. So, all I have to do to go to Wireless N with this notebook (as both desktops will be wired and the other notebook is Wireless N) is buy a Wireless N USB adapter. Much easier than buying and installing a PCMCIA card.

blueboxer · Posted: Mon Nov 08, 2010 8:13 pm Post subject:

For what it's worth I just bought the Linksys Valet "Home Hotspot". It accepted my wireless G laptop right away, but it has been cranky about connecting with my wife's - even though in our travels this year she has had if anything less problem than I connecting to hotel wireless.

My desktop doesn't have a wireless card, but I found a Netgear USB Wireless adapter really cheap at a discount store and plugged it in. I did have a few issues getting it set up, due to my total ignorance of wireless, but the techs on the Netgear support line were endlessly patient and helpful and got me up and running with never a hassle since.

And we sure are enjoying the convenience.

Hugger1 · Posted: Tue Nov 09, 2010 6:53 am Post subject:

I found the Cisco M10 Valet on sale at The Source (Canadian version of Radio Shack, they were bought out by Circuit City. Then when CC went bankrupt Bell Canada bought them). It has both wireless and wired connections just what I need. In addition, it was on sale, so even better.