I picked up a Trendnet TEW-424UB usb wireless adapter for my parents'
computer. It has been pretty flaky. The first few days, it
frequently worked for only a few minutes, before needing to be
unplugged and then re-plugged in. Then I stopped using the little usb
extension cord that came with it (which was useful, because the
adapter is large enough to prevent the use of the slot next to it),
and plugged it directly into the usb slot. We didn't have any
problems for a week. Now the last few times we have turned on the
computer, it has not worked unless we unplug it and then replug it in
(and sometimes that doesn't even work). I am going to be returning
this piece of crap.
I see on Dell's web site that you can select a PCI 802.11g wireless
adapter when buying a computer. Anyone know what brand/model that
is? I will assume that if Dell is selling it, then it probably works
for most of their customers.
<void.no.spam.com@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:ee923509-365f-4455-9230-b4cc978ea4a4@m36g2000hse.googlegroups.com...
>I picked up a Trendnet TEW-424UB usb wireless adapter for my parents'
> computer. It has been pretty flaky. The first few days, it
> frequently worked for only a few minutes, before needing to be
> unplugged and then re-plugged in. Then I stopped using the little usb
> extension cord that came with it (which was useful, because the
> adapter is large enough to prevent the use of the slot next to it),
> and plugged it directly into the usb slot. We didn't have any
> problems for a week. Now the last few times we have turned on the
> computer, it has not worked unless we unplug it and then replug it in
> (and sometimes that doesn't even work). I am going to be returning
> this piece of crap.
>
> I see on Dell's web site that you can select a PCI 802.11g wireless
> adapter when buying a computer. Anyone know what brand/model that
> is? I will assume that if Dell is selling it, then it probably works
> for most of their customers.
What model/number is the folks computer and what OS are they running.
If, for example, they're running WinMe then what you're seeing wouldn't
surprise me at all.
On May 15, 10:55*pm, "S.Lewis" <Gossa...@interesting.com> wrote:
> <void.no.spam....@gmail.com> wrote in message
>
> news:ee923509-365f-4455-9230-b4cc978ea4a4@m36g2000hse.googlegroups.com...
>
>
>
>
>
> >I picked up a Trendnet TEW-424UB usb wireless adapter for my parents'
> > computer. *It has been pretty flaky. *The first few days, it
> > frequently worked for only a few minutes, before needing to be
> > unplugged and then re-plugged in. *Then I stopped using the little usb
> > extension cord that came with it (which was useful, because the
> > adapter is large enough to prevent the use of the slot next to it),
> > and plugged it directly into the usb slot. *We didn't have any
> > problems for a week. *Now the last few times we have turned on the
> > computer, it has not worked unless we unplug it and then replug it in
> > (and sometimes that doesn't even work). *I am going to be returning
> > this piece of crap.
>
> > I see on Dell's web site that you can select a PCI 802.11g wireless
> > adapter when buying a computer. *Anyone know what brand/model that
> > is? *I will assume that if Dell is selling it, then it probably works
> > for most of their customers.
>
> What model/number is the folks computer and what OS are they running.
>
> If, for example, they're running WinMe then what you're seeing wouldn't
> surprise me at all.
Inspiron 530 w/ Intel E8200, 2 GB RAM. Vista Home Premium.
void.no.spam.com@gmail.com wrote:
> I picked up a Trendnet TEW-424UB usb wireless adapter for my parents'
> computer. It has been pretty flaky.
yup, don't buy usb networking equipment if you can help it, for the
reasons you already know now....
(that includes adsl and cable equipment too)
>
> I see on Dell's web site that you can select a PCI 802.11g wireless
> adapter when buying a computer. Anyone know what brand/model that
> is? I will assume that if Dell is selling it, then it probably works
> for most of their customers.
don't bother buying bits and bobs from dell, go elsewhere
like ebuyer (UK) or newegg (dunno what americans buy stuff from really)
and check the reviews of the items too
yes, you *do* want a PCI, or PCI express slot type one for a desktop
type pc, since you use vista, you will be ok for driver support, just
buy a decent brand one
<void.no.spam.com@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:da6b2222-648d-4dd7-800c-60bb4eebf7c6@27g2000hsf.googlegroups.com...
On May 15, 10:55 pm, "S.Lewis" <Gossa...@interesting.com> wrote:
> <void.no.spam....@gmail.com> wrote in message
>
> news:ee923509-365f-4455-9230-b4cc978ea4a4@m36g2000hse.googlegroups.com...
>
>
>
>
>
> >I picked up a Trendnet TEW-424UB usb wireless adapter for my parents'
> > computer. It has been pretty flaky. The first few days, it
> > frequently worked for only a few minutes, before needing to be
> > unplugged and then re-plugged in. Then I stopped using the little usb
> > extension cord that came with it (which was useful, because the
> > adapter is large enough to prevent the use of the slot next to it),
> > and plugged it directly into the usb slot. We didn't have any
> > problems for a week. Now the last few times we have turned on the
> > computer, it has not worked unless we unplug it and then replug it in
> > (and sometimes that doesn't even work). I am going to be returning
> > this piece of crap.
>
> > I see on Dell's web site that you can select a PCI 802.11g wireless
> > adapter when buying a computer. Anyone know what brand/model that
> > is? I will assume that if Dell is selling it, then it probably works
> > for most of their customers.
>
> What model/number is the folks computer and what OS are they running.
>
> If, for example, they're running WinMe then what you're seeing wouldn't
> surprise me at all.
Inspiron 530 w/ Intel E8200, 2 GB RAM. Vista Home Premium.
I second that motion, for exactly the same reason. The only advantage of a USB
wifi unit is that you can move it around on a USB extender cable to find the
strongest signal. I would think that the newest 802.11n (or draft-N) USB wifi
adapters would be the worst at power consumption... Ben Myers
>Use a PCI wireless card if at all possible.
>
>I've found that flaky behavior from USB wireless adapters is a usually
>result of too much power consumption.
>
>William
> -----Original Message-----
> From: wm_walsh@hotmail.com [mailto:wm_walsh@hotmail.com]
> Posted At: Friday, May 16, 2008 8:48 AM
> Posted To: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell
> Conversation: Wireless adapter: need a new one
> Subject: Re: Wireless adapter: need a new one
>
> Use a PCI wireless card if at all possible.
>
> I've found that flaky behavior from USB wireless adapters is a usually
> result of too much power consumption.
>
> William
I find the opposite because I can place the antenna higher. The PCI
cards have the antenna behind the system unit.
"Tom Scales" <tjscales@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:303652C6EBAD42EB87AF7FA3BF1C282A@M2010...
>
>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: wm_walsh@hotmail.com [mailto:wm_walsh@hotmail.com]
>> Posted At: Friday, May 16, 2008 8:48 AM
>> Posted To: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell
>> Conversation: Wireless adapter: need a new one
>> Subject: Re: Wireless adapter: need a new one
>>
>> Use a PCI wireless card if at all possible.
>>
>> I've found that flaky behavior from USB wireless adapters is a usually
>> result of too much power consumption.
>>
>> William
>
> I find the opposite because I can place the antenna higher. The PCI
> cards have the antenna behind the system unit.
is your experiance related to xp or vista (like the op said he is using).
> I find the opposite because I can place the antenna higher.
> The PCI cards have the antenna behind the system unit.
I wasn't going to bring that up, but since you mention it... :-)
I find that almost all of the current wireless cards/USB adapters on
the market are far too flaky and temperamental. They also don't
provide an always-on connection in many cases--if a user logs out of
the system, the connection goes down.
And the antenna behind the case can cause a problem if the signal is
not fairly strong. That was the final problem for me.
A very effective fix that I found was to buy a router that either
offered client bridge mode (this connects a wired computer to a
wireless network) or was flashable to DD-WRT firmware (which supports
client-bridge mode). Plug such a router into the Ethernet port of the
computer in question, configure it appropriately (give it the settings
for your wireless network and a free IP address) and there you go--
freedom to locate the antenna anywhere you like and a connection that
is always on. The only possible drawback is the fact that a router
will need a power outlet of its own.
Wireless adapter: need a new one 
Linear Mode
