Linksys WPC54GS Wireless-G Notebook Adapter with SpeedBooster
See it at Amazon.com for $15.99Average Customer Rating
(3.5 out of 5)
Amazon Customer Reviews
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(5 out of 5)Avoid WinXP Install Issues and Trouble
I purchased this card for a Dell Latitude laptop and my recent network configuration that included removal of a WAP11 due to failure and my BEFSR81 Router, replacing both with the WRT54GS. I wanted to install it correctly, yet I am not the type to read the instructions.
I removed the Linksys Utility and drivers for my old "B" card and rebooted my machine. I placed the "G" card in the machine and it was immediately recognized. I then enabled the device by installing the drivers from the installation CD. DON'T DO IT THIS WAY!!!
Here's what worked for me: Run the autorun feature from the CD ignoring or cancelling the XP Plug and Play routine upon reboot. Let the Linksys Configuration Utility and drivers get set up from CD. After the prompted reboot, it worked great! My router configuration uses both the WEP encryption, but also a MAC Filter function, allowing only the physical MAC address access to the wireless network. It's secure, signal strength is higher and pages "leap" on to the display (it should be noted that your mileage may vary) dependent on ISP provider or platform.
(4 out of 5)Solid Adapter
This is another solid product from Linksys. The adapter functions like an adapter should function. The installation was simple and free of complications. I have not experienced any break in communication between the laptop and the router.
For your information, this card is installed on a Dell Latitude C610 laptop. The operating system on the laptop is Windows 2000. The other components of my network are as follows: A Dell Dimension 8200, with a Linksys desktop adapter(with Speedbooster also). The Dell is running with Windows XP Pro. The second PC in the system is an old IBM 300PL, which is connected directly to the router through ethernet. A Linksys WRT54GS (Speedbooster) ties it all together. The network has been solid. No drop-offs.
There is really only reason that this adapter did not get five stars from me. In my opinion, the range of the card should have been greater. Even with a straight line of sight from the router, I cannot go far without losing a high percentage of the signal. So far, that has not caused any issues. However, I probably cannot go to the garage and surf the internet, for example.
I can recommend this card to a home user. In a home environment, the limited range of the card should not be an issue at all. For business use, I would probably try to find a Cisco Aeronet.
(2 out of 5)Incompatible with IBM ThinkPads - Support Seriously Lacking
Having used Linksys other products at a Fortune 500 company, I expected a routine installation and immediate success.
The WPC54GS is an enhanced version of the popular WPC54G which we have used with success in a variaty of laptops. Linksys claims a 35% "real world" boost in performance, so out I went and picked up a WRT54GS router and a matching WPC54GS cardbus adapter. (Of course, it looks like the end of the non "GS" versions are near, so might as well go with the latest, right?)
Installation of the WPC54GS is simple and straightfoward under Windows 2000. The included configuration utility is clear and intuitive.
The unit worked the first time it was installed. Defining profiles and setting encryption keys was easy.
We had no problems accessing and getting connected with the Linksys access point, as well as a DLink 614+ and a Symbol Spectrum 24 access points. The connection status shown on the main screen is sometimes inaccurate. The utility sometimes said that there was no connection, when other parts of the same program said a connection had been established.
Problems began to surface, however, as soon as we attempted to remove and reinsert the adapter. The WPC54GS found and associated with the access point, but would net get an IP address. The same thing happened when the Thinkpad was suspended and restored or went into and came out of hibernation. In fact, the only reliable way to connect the adapter was after a reboot.
Requests for help to the Linksys web support link and e-mail support went unanswered. The first level technical support folks were polite but not technical (I've been in the computer business for 20plus years.) Much time was wasted performing scripted steps that had nothing to do with identifying or fixing the problem. After quite a while with the first level phone technician, Linksys suggested I replace the unit. I selected the cross-shipping RMA option and received a replacement in 3 days (not too bad for cross-country with no premium shipping charges.)
The new unit didn't work any better. More hours of additional phone support ending up in fourth level technical support yielded a big surprise: the card does not work because of an "IRQ conflict", something that's all but dead for PC users today.
The card had a conflict with the most basic, built-in hardware in the laptop (IBM Thinkpad T40, but could apply to the 41 and other series as well.) IBM later confirmed that there was no way to alter the settings in the laptop.
Sadly, this information which was readily available to senior Linksys support is not posted on their web site, nor is the incompatibilty mentioned in the product's documentation or packaging. Somehow the information didn't get through to the first three levels of technical support either.
Applying all possible software updates did not help, so I'm afraid it's back to the store with this card.
(A final note: I have to return the new card to Linksys to avoid RMA charges and asked Linksys if they'd pick up the return shipping since the entire problem should have been identified with the first phone call. Alas, it seems that such a courtesy is beyond the powers of the customer service supervisors.)
Overall: WPC54GS could be a good product, but make sure you verify compatability. If you are find yourself needing technical or customer support, return the card immediatly and choose a product from a competitor who take technical support and customer service seriously. If want to try anyway, don't bother with the web/chat support or email, call.
(4 out of 5)Great g card but Customer Services drops the ball
Well, I purchased my card (WPC54GS) and the router to match (WRT54GS) last Sunday for my work computer and after a week I finally got it to work no thanks to customer service at Linksys. There only help was to tell me the card was broken and I had to reinstall my operating system after 4 hours on the phone with them trying the same thing over and over again. But I'm sure that if you have windows XP or 2000 you wont have any problems but, my company gave me a great laptop but with windows 98SE which for those of you who have moved on to XP as I did with my home PC remember what a piece it was. If any of you purchase this card with 98SE and get stuck you can e-mail me at GEO1277@comcast.net and I can help you get it up and running. But as far as the product goes it gets great reception and as long as one of the antennas is pointed in the direction you are using the laptop or pc you can go through 3 well built floors and at least 100ft that I know of from my experience. Oh one more down side to this card if you have Windows 98SE you can't use the SpeedBooster unless you are using XP or 2000 just some info that I think was left out on this website but will be on the box when you get the card or router. I would give the Router 5 stars the Card 4 Stars and the customer service negative 5 stars.
(4 out of 5)I'm actually... pleased!
I've taken Linksys to task on the 54GS series in other reviews, and I did not think highly of their install software for the WUSB11 either. So, when I needed a laptop card to connect to my home network, I bought the WPC54GS expecting some installation challenges... and didn't have any.
I mean, I had absolutely no problems with the installer this time around. Linksys puts "Run CD First" stickers on the card, on the CD, all over the box. So I ran the CD first. It installed all of the software, exited. Then nothing, as in, "what next?" I inserted the card, and several Microsoft digital signature warnings later, my card found my access point.
I had to log into my router from another machine to add the laptop's MAC, then key-in the password on the laptop for access to the router... and that was it. A fully encrypted connection, pretty fast from what I can tell, and no drops. I don't get the 125% speeds I should be getting (my other wireless link is the internal PCI card, and it goes 108Mbps almost always), but I'm satisfied.
One star withheld for the lack of Speedboosting, but the improved installer and sticker madness made me feel better about Linksys gear.
Fred