Linksys WUSB11 Wireless-B USB Network Adapter v4 Reviews

• It DOES work with XP! Just CONFIGURE it correctly.

  
  By AV5KOCV62PJ9I on 2003-04-08
  Alright people, I'm not affiliated with Linksys, there are kids out there that have more answers than the Linksys technical support. But I did get this WUSB11 to work with XP automatically, even with my access point's SSID being disabled. So whoever is saying that it doesn't work with XP... at least try this out. It works, I've done it, I'm running WinXP, the WUSB11 sees and connects to my non-SSID-broadcasing access point automatically at every cold boot and restart. Who knows, maybe this will make you XP users wanna buy this product. (It does have better range than the Netgear MA101.)

  First of all, install the WUSB11 like linksys says. Make sure your WUSB11 works first. Turn on your AP's SSID broadcasting, turn off WEP, just to see if everything is working fine. Return the POS if its DOA. If it does work, turn your AP's security back on, obviously.

  I'm sure you know about WinXP's Wireless Zero Configuration service/utility, and how its the heart of the WUSB11's compatibility problem. Quite simply, if your AP is not broadcasting an SSID, WinXP will have a fitz about not seeing you non-SSID-broadcasting AP, unless you refresh a couple of times. Refreshing is a pain in the neck, and isn't inherently obvious to someone like your non-techie parents.

  So why not disable WZC? Click Start > Control Panel > Administrative Tools > Services > Wireless Zero Configuration, then change the Startup type to "disabled". Restart the computer.

  "BLAH BLAH BLAH, I've done that, it doesn't work, you're a nut, BLAH BLAH BLAH." Now take the standpoint of installing this thing from a Windows 2000 perspective. "Hmm... I guess I have to somehow install the linksys utility that is included in the setup CD that came with my WUSB11, that usually lets Windows 2000 users connect to an AP. But it doesn't work! I click on it, and the CD doesn't even autorun! What's the deal?"

  This is what I did. Pop the WUSB11 CD into your CD drive, and explore it. For some reason, the setup.exe in the root folder of the CD won't run under XP, probably to avoid incompatibilities. Right click on the CD-ROM drive icon, and click "explore". Then navigate to the "Utilities" folder, and double-click on Setup.exe. This will install the Linksys Instant Wireless LAN Monitor. It will not alert you when the install is complete, but you should see it in your program files list when it is done.

  Next, copy all the files except setup.exe from the D:\Utilies folder, into your C:\Program Files\WUSB11 WLAN Monitor folder. Copy the WLAN.in file from the CD's root folder into your C:\Program Files\WUSB11 WLAN Monitor folder. The Setup.exe didn't install everything you needed, so you have to put these files in manually, hence the copy and paste.

  Next, set a shorcut of the Instant Wireless LAN monitor to your Startup folder in program files, so that the Instant Wireless LAN monitor starts up automatically when you boot up.

  Restart for good measure.

  When your computer boots up again, open the Instant Wireless LAN monitor, and you should be able to access a tab labeled "Profiles". That was the whole point of this mess. That profiles tab allows you to configure which SSID to connect to, WEP settings, etc. Enter all your AP's settings. Reboot for good measure?

  Your WinXP machine should now use the Instant Wireless LAN monitor to automatically connect to your WAP at every boot.

  If I missed something and it didn't, hopefully you get the jist of what I'm trying to do. Disable XP's WZC service, and use a 3rd party utility to connect to your WAP. In my case, I used the included Linksys utility, and it worked with some minor tweeking.

  All in all, when I got everything working, the WUSB11 works fine. You will most likely lose throughput due to WEP constraints, thats just the nature of wireless. This wireless USB adapter is cheap compared to Orinoco's card ($100+), and performs better than Netgear's MA101. You just gotta know how to configure it.
  
  

• Just like in the Movies

  
  By A3N4TZ3SX3XW12 on 2001-12-31
  Ever see a movie where everything works just like it should? No rebooting when the hero tried to go online with the alien motherships's mainframe? Just connected right away....

  Well, here's a device that works just like that. I received this Wireless adapter, along with a Linksys BEFW11S4 Router (See my review and setup for that item) for Christmas. While I may have some issues setting up the router, this Wireless adapter worked right out of the box.

  I installed the software, plugged it into my daughter's computer in the kitchen and, Boom, it found the wireless router upstairs in my office. I set up Internet Explorer to use the LAN and she was up and surfing in no time. She is getting about 5mbps in the kitchen when connected to the router upstairs and across the house.

  I've got to say this was a great gift, and easy to set up.
  
  

• Warning TIVO users

  
  By A1C3IHGXPG4DID on 2005-03-23
  Make sure you are purchasing the 2.6 or 2.8 version, 3.0 and 4.0 will not work with TIVO units. Amazon does not clearly list the different versions.
  
  

• This network adapter works as advertised...

  
  By on 2001-06-28
  I purchased this to work with the BEFW11S4 Wireless Access Point & Cable/DSL Router w/4 Port Switch. It was very easy to install. Simply plug in this usb device, install the included software, type in the necessary info in the config window, and you're set! I gave it only 4 stars instead of 5 because I was not able to get the full 11mbps speed. I got at the most 3.5mpbs speed, and that's when I was only directly upstairs, approximately 20 feet away. Actually I'm not sure if the result was because of this, or the access point. But it does advertise 11mbps at 100ft indoors. I don't transfer files back and forth much between my desktop and server, so it's not too big of a deal. A plus is that there is no latency when I'm on the wireless network.
  
  

• TiVo - No Go!

  
  By A10SYJ5SAFKFRT on 2005-01-08
  Don't buy this if your are a TiVo Series 2 owner. Older versions of this adapter worked with TiVo but not the version 4.0 which you'll get from Amazon. You'll now be forced to order the WUSB12 which is $20 more expensive.
  
  
• This is a good product..........but
  By A37ZPARA2LIWN6 on 2005-04-23
  I ordered the WUSB11 to connect a TIVO system to my internet. I was sent version 4 of the WUSB11, which isn't compatible with any TIVO service number. How about telling us what version of these products you're selling?
  
  
• Great Adapter, But not for Tivo
  By A25IYGOO2DYLHN on 2005-11-30
  This is a great wireless USB adapter at a great price however it is the version 4 which is not as good as the previous version. The changes make little (or no) difference to PC users running Windows, but for those running Linux, or someone that wants to hook it up to their Tivo you will be disapointed to learn that it dosen't work. Previous version of the Linksys WUSB111 did work with these system, buyt not Ver. 4.
  
  
• Does not work with Tivo!
  By A1QQIAEMQXXXN2 on 2004-12-13
  If you're considering this as the Tivo-recommended way to get wireless connectivity, then DO NOT BUY THIS. Linksys is currently up to version 4.0 of this unit, and it DOES NOT WORK WITH TIVO.
  
  
• Not Compatible with TIVO
  By A2DO9PVR7QXN86 on 2004-12-28
  Beware - version 4 is not compatible with TIVO. I didn't bother to read the reviews before I ordered so now have a paperweight. Several others have pointed out that this item will not work with TIVO
  
  
• Amazon does TIVO Users a Big Disservice
  By A34UHAQ1YN7IBH on 2004-12-21
  As someone else mentions, this V.4 Adapter is NOT compatible with Tivo. Yet, Amazon links you to this when you buy a Tivo from them. It's not a huge leap to think they'd be compatible. Worse yet, you can't find in the online info that this IS V.4 and can't link to some new or used earlier versions that are compatible.
  
  
• Almost perfect product has a serious flaw
  By A9BXSJ8H4115U on 2001-06-24
  This wireless ethernet transceiver can be very helpful in setting up a network not only because it's extremely easy to install (USB plug and play) but because it's the cheapest 802.11 transceiver I've found. It does, however, have a serious drawback... the internal antenna which has a limited range compared to every other 802.11 device I have tested, including PC cards. Even with "line-of-sight" to an Access Point only 100 feet away, the signal strength ranges from good to weak, occassionally dipping down to 2 Mbps. This is, of course, with other 802.11 devices operating in the same building even though they're designed to work with each other in proximity.

  There is one real nice feature in the configuration software... just double click on the icon on your task bar and you can pull up a "Site Survey" of all available access points with their respective name, ESSID, channel#, MAC address, and signal strength. This feature alone well justifies the cost because it acts as a conservative diagnostic tool when setting up an 802.11 network.

  P.S. It's self-powered via USB and you may want to invest in a USB extension cable to allow placement of this device in a better location.
  
  

• Works well with TIVO
  By A3OQOIIA2O9I4 on 2004-09-14
  I bought a series 2 40 GB TIVO recently. I had no phone lines near my TV. My computer is upstairs and had a wireless router from lynksys to connect to another computer at the other end of the house. So I bought this adapter and hooked it up to my TIVO. I set the SSID and password. It started working right away with a good connection (75%). I set up the TIVO desktop on the computer and published by photos and MP3s. I could then view my photos and listen to my MP3s downstairs. It worked great. 5/5 rating.
  
  
• Doesn't work With Tivo
  By AYD4L5VMSWKBY on 2005-05-31
  Just wanted to inform everyone that this product doesn't work with Tivo for a broadband connection. Use the NetGear WG111. It works great. Just wanted to prevent someone else from buying a product that isn't compatable with TIVO.
  
  
• Right ITEM Wrong Version. Bad Support from Amazon.
  By A1AE4QIU2VAFSC on 2005-08-07
  I purchased the WUSB11 without any notification from Amazon on what VERSION it was, Needed v2.6 to work with my TIVO, AND Amazon advertized that this would work with TIVO. THEY shipped me v4.0 and WOULD NOT even talk with me about exchanging it, said it was my fault for ordering the wrong ITEM, EVEN though it was the right item and THEY did not allow for input of WHAT VERSION I NEEDED and THEY ADVERTIZED it worked with TIVO. FINALLY LinkSys made good on the whole deal by exchanging for the correct version BUT it should not have been LinkSys who did that but AMAZON.
  PLUS I missed out on the REBATE due to trying to work out the whole mess. Anyway the product works great with the TIVO when you have the correct VERSION, good luck getting that from AMAZON on the first try.
  
  
• Wusb11 Version 4 not compatable with W98 4.10
  By A2NOEC8POLIHZN on 2004-12-31
  Even though the Spec's posted by Amazon states it works with Windown 98 be aware that Linksys Ver. 4 will only work with Windows 98SE and above (Per Linksys Tech Support).
  Linksys Ver. 2.6 and earler work with Windows 98 1st edition (4.10)and above.
  Amazon is only shipping WUSB11's with Version 4.0
  This device also will not work with Tivo series 2.
  
  
• Works great with TiVo if you get the right version
  By A3W0EQUQX4TNNT on 2005-03-08
  I purchased two of these from Amazon on two seperate occasions. The first one I received was a version 2.8 and the second one was version 4. Having said that, you may want to check out the following site for a list of TiVo compliant wireless adapters because as you will see, version 2.8 works perfectly but version 4 does not. [...]
  Amazon should figure out a way to identify the version number in their product description.
  
  
• Very consumer-grade, not apropriate for Linux
  By on 2002-06-24
  Geek level objections: the WUSB11 violates the USB specification by using a type-A to type-A connection, and indeed by using a type-A jack on a USB device at all. Consequently replacement cables are hard to secure. There's no good reason for it to have been done this way, except possibly that on relative volume a typeA connector is slightly cheaper to mass-produce.

  Linux users: Linksys has stopped putting prism2 chipsets in the WUSB11; current revisions are based on the Amtel chipset. Amtel refuses to release interface specs, so WUSB11 units above revision 2.5 will probably never be supported (especially since there are many much better options available.)

  Finally, networking over USB is a lame idea; USB data transfers are vastly more CPU-intensive than PCI or PCMCIA. Because USB is a shared bus format, on a busy network or while doing intensive data transfer you'll be slagging your machine. The only reason to buy one of these things is if your machine has no network card and can't accept one.
  
  

• TIVO OWNERS BEWARE!!!
  By AV6P9MKV8YHNU on 2004-11-23
  WONDERFUL PRODUCT! HOWEVER, THE NEW VERSION 4.0 IS NOT COMPATABLE WITH TIVO! TRY WUSB12 INSTEAD.
  
  
• TIVO WARNING
  By A5OPQGTI9P4PI on 2004-11-24
  WARNING - Even though this product is listed by Amazon as a "customers who purchased ... also purchased" item - THIS DOES NOT WORK WITH TIVO!!! YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!!! LEARN FROM MY MISTAKE!!!
  
  
• Does NOT Work with TiVO
  By A22VNF8GION1EB on 2004-11-15
  This is a good USB adapter, but it does NOT work with the TiVO series 2 DVRs (when hooking up a wireless network). The TiVOs require the WUSB11 v2.6 v2.8 or v3. The product that ships from Amazon is v4, and it does not work with the TiVOs (at least as of 15 Nov 2004). The incompatability with v4 is mentioned on TiVOs site, but its hard to find.
  
  
• Good News Bad News
  By A17BT73RVRQYSP on 2005-04-09
  The Linksys Wireless-B router is a handy little device who's time has in many ways passed.
  
  In terms of setup and software it is a cinch, run the software and plug it in and presto it found my wireless network and had me surfing in no time, much to the delight of my wife who didn't want more wires running through the house.
  
  The downside of this device is security. The only security available currently on this device is WEP which although was good at the time of the initial release of the device doesn't cut it today. Linksys has not offered a firmware upgrade to allow WPA-PSK and from two conversations I've had with them doesn't seem to have plans to do so.
  
  This means your system will be hackable by even the sloppiest hacker. You would be much better off going with a later model that includes native or upgradable WPA-PSK support.
  
  Of course if you don't mind people hacking your system then this will certainly do the job. If you are doing any kind of home business or keeping financial records on the PC I'd give it a miss.
  
  
• TIVO network
  By A2D0EVCOBAP8VY on 2006-01-30
  I bought this adapter to create a wireless TIVO network. After plugging the adapter to the back of the series 2 Tivo recorder and downloading the desktop, I had an instant wireless network. It was set up in minutes and has operated flawlessly.
  
  
• Want free internet access? This is all you need.
  By A33QVK9HKNMF34 on 2003-04-11
  I've been skimming thru all the reviews and I really haven't seen anyone point out the obvious. Do you just want free, fast wireless internet access because you don't have internet access of your own (i.e. no DSL, cable, 56k modem, etc.) Or do you just want to build a home, wireless network and do things such as share your home's internet connection throughout the house? Both are possible with this device, but in the latter case, you need an additional device (the router or base station).

  If you want to take advantage of free, wireless internet access, then this device is all you need (or one similarly priced). This is a Wi-Fi device (like an antenna) that brings down signals in the air being generated by routers out there (more or less 1500 feet away). of course, you either need to be in a heavily populated area (like a beach or city like New York) to get freely available connections. If you live in a less remote area, then you can still use it at "Starbucks" or other commercial businesses that are "with it".

  This device is so small you can use it on a laptop or desktop, via a USB cable.

  The other thing is, free wireless internet access is common these days. All you need is a device like this. The bandwidth I am getting is a range from 200kbps to 600kbps (out of 11MBps). That is about 10 to 20 times faster than a dialup modem. Very nice.

  If you are unsure whether or not this device will work for you, buy it, install it, and the device will automatically search out wireless network connections and display them for you to connect to. If there aren't any, then return it. Some tips on getting the most out of your reception: extract the antenna up on the device, mount the device on the outside of a window if you can (so there as few barriers as possible), and play with the position of the antenna - to get the best reception possible. You will have to toy with it a little, as you would a handheld FM radio...

  Most of the reviews I've read here ... seem to be oriented for those who wish to do home networking and then do such things as parcel out bandwidth for family and friends. This is my next project, to home network 3 or 4 computers in my home. But you need a "base station" or router to do this which will run you an extra $... or so.

  But for now, my objectives are met - to get free, high-speed internet wireless access, and all for a one-time cost of $60. Compare that with DSL at $...-$... per month! I hope you live in an area that has a grassroots "free wireless internet" mentality or businesses (like hotels, coffeeshops) who are making their airwaves publicly available. I've been to Boston, Miami Beach, and other places ... and if I bring this device along, I never have to worry about paying for Internet access again. By the way this is all legal ... airwaves are all public domain. People who are broadcasting these signals/connections have the ability to add security (password-protect) to their signals. Some of the signals I am getting are that, and if you guess the passwords/keys, that is illegal (hacking). Some connections are not secured, and I assume they are meant to be accessed (although some businesses tend to be careless about their security). The reason I mention this is because you want to be sure that any signal you get, that provider is going to be reliable and willing to provide free access.

  Power to the people. :-p
  
  

• Won't work with TiVo
  By on 2003-09-30
  Linksys somehow broke compatibility with TiVo with this current version of the WUSB11. TiVo says and discussion boards confirm TiVo just doesn't work with this product because TiVo supports only the older 2.6 version; Amazon (and most everybody else) sells the ver 2.8. What a shame.
  
  
• Needed it for my TIVO box
  By A3A9OL2RTQH20O on 2005-10-08
  Plugged it in and set it up per TIVO screen instructions and that was it.
  
  
• Good range, slight problem
  By on 2002-04-10
  I got v2.5 of this adapter to use in an ad-hoc network with a notebook with a WPC11 v1. After much frustration I was informed by Linksys tech support (who were very helpful, in spite of the fact that they were unable to actually fix the problem) that there was a known problem connecting these two devices in ad-hoc mode. They acknowledged the defect and Amazon took both devices back. I was sad to see my WUSB11 go, though, because it had really good range. I tested it briefly against a WAP11, and it far exceeded Linksys claims.

  If you want to go ad-hoc, just be sure that you get v2.5 of WUSB11 and v2.5 or 3.0 of WPC11. The version number is on the box. If it says "WUSB11 v2.5" that's what you want. If it just says "WUSB11" send it back unopened.
  
  

• Old Tech required for Tivo
  By A11VLM73R9CPYS on 2004-07-10
  I was forced to buy this thing because Tivo is too cheap to make a box that can use 80211G. Adding a 80211B to your network forces the wireless hub to work at B speed. For you techno-whizzes, you can set up separate networks, but for plug and play people, this thing is a square peg in a round hole.
  
  Edit - Tivo now runs with 802.11g. There is no reason to buy this product any more.
  
  
• Worked easily with both TIVO and desktop computer
  By A2WYV6E1ZFMLL5 on 2005-10-30
  Gets better reception than my former Netgear MA111 USB adaptor for both TIVO and Windows XP Home edition computer. Painless to setup.
  
  
• If only "Zero Stars" was an option
  By A32NUEXXOOEA9I on 2002-03-18
  LinkSys's Quality Control has gone to hell in both firmware and hardware. Customer support is abysmal at best

  Even LinkSys tech support encourages users to strongly consider using the 2.5 Version of this Hardware (which has an external antenna). The XP driver is highly problematic.

  Suffice it to say, I will NOT recommend another LinkSys product to clients, colleagues, or friends...

  Bill Machrone of PC Magazine and ExtremeTech.com has also written about some problems with LinkSys products ...A LinkSys tech support person actually told me that articles and reviews by users will make no difference, because they keep getting editorial awards from publications.

  I assume they won't mind this review then..

  Keith
  
  

• Direct comparison: LinkSys and NetGear
  By on 2002-04-03
  I purchased the WUSB11 2.5 and WPC11 2.5 on March 8th to connect a desktop XP Pro computer (containing an internal DSL modem) with a notebook XP Home computer. It is now April 3, and I have done almost nothing in the last three weeks except fuss with this little network. When it works, it works beautifully, but the problem is that the system is unstable, rarely working for more than 15 minutes at a time, and nothing--no parameter changes--have solved that problem. I have downloaded just about every technical article on setting up networks and bought at least three books, including the Microsoft certification manual on XP networking. Trying to adjust network settings by trial and error is just about impossible; there are too many possible combinations of settings. Correspondence with the LinkSys tech advisor by email was courteous and more or less prompt. One of his suggestions was to turn off the internet firewall, which I did, to no avail. The final suggestion was to buy an external DSL modem and a router instead, but this would have required a month's delay with no DSL and extra monthly expenses. In the meantime, Linksys had come out with an updated PC11, v3.0, with a new chipset, so I bought that--no help, same instability. Finally, I tried the Netgear MA101 USB adapter for the desktop, continuing to use the Linksys PC 2.5 card in my notebook, and lo, everything worked beautifully! I have run my network now for as long as 24 hours with no glitches. I like the Linksys people, but I have to say that direct comparison, all else being constant, shows that the Netgear USB network adapter (or its driver), at the same price, is superior.
  
  

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