NETGEAR WG111US Wireless-G USB 2.0 Adapter Reviews

• Netgear WG111US

  
  By A3LCZ8O2PGB64M on 2006-02-22
  Great device. Very easy to install. Have had no problems since installation. I'd buy another one if I needed it.
  
  

• Buyer Beware

  
  By A2160L8HRXIE6P on 2006-05-27
  This adapter has a fatal flaw (IRQ conflict?), at least when used with a Dell running Windows XP service pack 2.
  
  My whole sytem crashes and the computer can't run for more than 1 minute before it happens again. The problem began with the display driver. After many uploaded patches and "fixes," it just kept getting worse. Finally I uninstalled the whole thing and re-loaded the original display driver from disc. No dice. System still crashes. Computer is now officially out of commission until I can afford to hire a tech to fix it. Thanks, Netgear. Most expensive $40 piece of equipment I ever bought.
  
  

• not good until....

  
  By A1MCWTED0D6YND on 2007-02-03
  I had this thing for 2 months and got constantly bad signal from it. It would go all the way down to 2mbps. I did not pay for a crappy b signal. I paid for a good g signal. What was wrong you ask. I had the netgear plugged directly into the back of my computer. When I used the provided usb extension cable voila I have had nothing but 54mbps since. Keep this adapter away from your computer otherwise your signal will be extremely terrible.
  
  

• Was good, but...

  
  By A2X1O4ZG00B0U5 on 2006-08-01
  Connects well and holds on to weak signals, but...
  
  First of all, I am editing this review. Unfortunately, Amazon does not let me edit my rating. If I could I would give it 2 stars at best.
  
  The adapter continually causes hard freezes of my PC while it is in use. In one night my computer froze twice while playing Star Wars Battlefront II online, and it has frozen two other times while viewing websites since then. That's 4 hard freezes in 5 days of ownership. My PC isn't the issue here, as it has never crashed or frozen in 4 years. I have 512 Mb of RAM and an Athlon 2400+ processor so I know the system is not being overloaded. I have a friend with similar issues and an even better computer. I'd take this thing back to the store and get a different model, but the store has a policy against returning opened hardware for anything but a 1 to 1 replacement.
  
  Further, I had some issues with the v2 model and using different profiles on XP using the Windows connection wizard. When I would 1) log in to one profile, 2) install the drivers, 3) use the adapter with the XP connection utility, 4) log out, 5) log in as another user, 6) log out the second user, and 7) use the adapter with Windows XP connection utility, then 8) XP would no longer recognize the adapter when I unplugged it and plugged it back in on either profile. I had to uninstall and reinstall the drivers in order to get XP to recognize the adapter again. I'm a professional software tester, and this would not have made it past my desk. I gave in and used the Netgear connection utility.
  
  

• Does What It's Supposed to Do - No fuss

  
  By A2S5ZZJFK404RP on 2006-09-10
  This thing simply does what it's supposed to do - no fuss. Easy to install. I like the velcro attachment arrangement (if you need to keep it mounted - I do, on my Dell laptop with a dead PCMCIA slot). It connects with my Linksys WRTG54 easily and reliably at 54Mbps (router upstairs, me downstairs). Highly recommended.
  
  
• Useless, useless piece of junk.
  By A3FECCKJAEZVB5 on 2007-06-10
  Nightmare, absoulute nightmare to set up on XP, very very flakey
  operation, just won't find the network on win98se. on win2000, locks the machine if left connected when booting, when it does work, writes a file ( RtacDbg.txt ) which eventually fills up all the space on the hard-drive! How this ever got to market is beyond me. Complete waste of money. Better punting on a cheap chinese knock-off from Ebay, could not be worse than this piece of junk. --DON'T BUY!!-- --DON'T BUY!!-- --DON'T BUY!!-- --DON'T BUY!!-- --DON'T BUY!!-- --DON'T BUY!!-- --DON'T BUY!!-- --DON'T BUY!!--
  
  
• Did not work on Windows XP
  By A20GMZ7C66CCHB on 2008-01-16
  You've likely seen warnings from Vista owners already. Windows XP users should also tread carefully.
  
  I was optimistic that this wireless adapter would work my well-patched and reliable Windows XP Pro desktop, and so I bought it to connect with my new Verizon FiOS router. Regrettably, I didn't read the reviews beforehand.
  
  Following the initial installation, my computer would freeze every time I inserted the adapter, requiring a reboot.
  
  After updating the software with NETGEAR's online update, the adapter still would not work. Each attempt to launch the NETGEAR software failed: there were no error messages, it simply refused to launch.
  
  And so I was never able to launch this product to the point where I could even attempt an Internet connection.
  
  These issues were not addressed on NETGEAR's support knowledge base. Following this string of failures, I have no intention of further troubleshooting and potentially jeopardizing my Windows XP installation with this unstable product.
  
  Look elsewhere: there are other alternatives with solid ratings here on Amazon.
  
  
• Painless to Install and Use this USB Wireless Adapter
  By A1YYLMBUGXE6BZ on 2008-06-17
  I purchased a Vista laptop a few months back and no longer needed my XP desktop on the first floor of the house. The problem was, I dreaded the prospect of having to get a super long ethernet extension cord and tediously staple-gunning it along the wall all the way down to where I wanted to put my computer in the basement. The other option was to get some sort of wireless card installed to my desktop, but I'm not that tech-savvy and generally try to avoid ulcer-causing IT-related nightmares.
  
  So I procrastinated for a good long time, frozen by my aversion to either manual labor or the daunting task of setting up my own wireless network. The months passed --spring summer autumn winter / he sang his didn't he danced his did-- and one day I finally just went out and purchased this Netgear USB Adapter, and it was so much easier than I had ever expected to get it working. For one, it's a plug-in usb interface, so there wasn't the PCI card installation to deal with, and since this interface works so well, I wouldn't recommend that the novice user go out and get the PCI card version unless s/he has particular reason for it.
  
  This is about all it took to receive wireless internet on my XP desktop:
  
  1) Removed driver cd installation disc and usb adapter from box
  2) Installed drivers from enclosed cd onto my desktop pc
  3) Plugged in the usb adapter into a rear port on my desktop pc
  4) Clicked "next," etc. as directed by the setup window after I plugged in the usb wireless adapter
  
  And then I was online. I was a little worried that the wireless range wouldn't be very good since the router was on a different floor, but it turned out to be fine, for the most part. Once in a while the little green icon in the taskbar that indicates online connectivity blinks red, but it's only for a second and isn't enough to cause much interruption in my site browsing activities.
  
  I'm not sure if the setup process was made easier because both my router and this adapter are made by Netgear, but for whatever the reason, it was simple for me to set up and use so I'm recommending it. That is all... I hope my review has been helpful to you in your hunt for the perfect network adapter!
  
  
• Overall Another Good Product From Netgear
  By A1WQ4HZ38UJP47 on 2006-08-17
  the adapter is good, easy to set up, seems reliable, compact size, but tends to get really hot so when you arent online i recommend to unplug the adapter. thanks about it. hope this helps.
  
  
• Installation Issues
  By A1NJMJ08H2QQPK on 2007-05-28
  Was not able to install the hardware and have my laptop recognize the device. Needed to send back
  
  
• Horrible!!!
  By A16RCM6WILOYHL on 2007-08-04
  I had problems with this from the moment I opened the box. It kept dropping my connection repeatedly and the driver/program that it came with crashed at least once every 24 hours. Every day I had to log off or restart my computer just to get the stupid thing back online. It also sticks far out of the computer and is easily breakable out of the USB port. It comes with a USB extension so you don't have to plug it straight in, but I found that when you use it the adapter heats up so hot that you can't even touch it. It's like whoever designed this thing tried to make the worst invention possible... and they succeeded! I would suggest any other adapter to this one, total waste of money.
  
  
  
  
• great product!!
  By A2BYU3ZBEH77UU on 2006-05-10
  after i've tryed an internal one for my desktop i realised that for allmoust the same price this is what really helped my becouse i am using it now!
  
  
• Works perfect everytime!!!
  By A2MNRTUAFWRPQ9 on 2006-07-19
  I am dealt with a lot of tech support issues on this product, and as long as your system meets the required specs, this thing is the tool for you. I get non-stop high signal no matter where i roam, cranks up everytime with no issues. Can't beat it with a stick if you ask me.
  
  
• Terrible for Tivo Series 2
  By A2MXME0QLYZB67 on 2006-08-27
  I bought this to use with my Tivo. My Tivos are constantly dropping off my network. I have seen posts on discussion forums from other Tivo users stating that this adapter is very problematic for Tivo.
  
  
• Not easy setup if you want good connection
  By AQGYCTRCKD97Q on 2007-03-12
  This has a very easy setup if you are going for decent web surfing and chatting. It is horrible if you want to go for Skype, On-line gaming, or anything that requires continuous bandwidth. It is possible, but it takes a lot of tweaking and requires you to do research for hours for all the extra downloads for stable "lag-spike free" bandwidth.
  
  But it is ok if you want it just for websurfing.
  
  
• Netgear wireless adapter
  By AJ3X3RGKK7IIT on 2007-10-22
  I had no difficulties with this product. Installed easily, detected my network automatically, and has worked well for a month now.
  
  
• 6 months later..
  By A194X9O0AF3X45 on 2008-02-27
  I bought this item in October, plugged it in, things were good (with XP). Now it's the end of February, and suddenly one day.. nothing. It just stopped working. The day before it was working fine, the next, dead.
  
  Unfortunately, there is nothing on the device to allow for a reset. My computer simply makes an angry beeping noise when I plug in it (instead of the usual fairly happy sounding noise). I'm debating not using a wireless usb at all and just using a wire.. I've looked at a couple different wireless usb's, and so far there have been so many people with complaints.. it's just doesn't seem worth the money.
  
  
• netgear working better than linksys
  By A2NZKTZMZN8WVI on 2008-07-26
  I have a lot of walls to go through between my base unit and remote unit. The netgear series has done a great job in delivering high speed wireless connection. Originally, I got the linksys series which just proved to be worthless for my situation.
  
  
• Easy set up, OK connection
  By A3JC4U1PYHW7AG on 2007-05-20
  To set up, all it requires is sticking the USB stick into your computer, and running the software. It is pretty basic. The connection is pretty good. I would have expected it to be a bit better, as the router is just a room over in my house, but it is pretty reliable. Search around for cheaper prices, though. Amazon is definitely not the cheapest for this product.
  
  
• Good product
  By A2YJOTOQUAUXKI on 2008-07-29
  This wireless usb adapter works pretty well. I had a little trouble using it on a computer with usb 1.1 so we had to use it with another computer. It gets a little hot but it hasn't given us any problems.
  
  
• this one is very good to me
  By A2QZRFW0UXW320 on 2008-09-02
  a little problem when I install it,
  but after one day, it works with no reason.
  very stable, keeping connected.
  great for this price.
  
  
• Netgear WG111US
  By A3S5XXLY0HSRAR on 2008-02-15
  I'm using this with a Linksys WRT54G wireless router and so far it works, most of the time. I say most of the time because at least once a day it'll drop the wireless connection for a few seconds. It's not the WG111 because I've tried other USB Wireless-G adapters and those also dropped connection at least once a day. It must be my room.
  
  
  
• Unreliable Pice of Junk
  By ABWFVS57019WM on 2008-05-03
  I purchased this product in conjuntion with my Windows Vista Computer. The instalation was easy and it semed to work fine. But as the weeks went on I started to see a reduction in performence. I would end up sitting at my computer for 30min trying to connect to my network, and every time it would fail. and when I did connect, it would sometimes dissconnect for no reason. All in all this addapter is not reliable and can become a pain. So thats why I reccomend a Linksys Wierless G Addaper instead. I replaced my Netgear with it and I can honestly say I have no problems with it what so ever.
  
  
• One of the Best Wireless G adapters available
  By A2DFN6OFQ4YKS8 on 2008-06-25
  The Netgear wg111us wireless USB adapter Pulls in signals well and holds em well. I have tried many brands and models of wireless USB adapters, but I keep buying more of these for a reason. I use a linksys router and these adapters(you cannot go wrong for the price)!
  
  
• Strong Signal, Vista 64 Support
  By AC5NXQVBX5W7Y on 2008-08-14
  Originally bought this because it is one of the few wireless networking adapters that has drivers that will work with Vista 64. It has performed flawlessly over the last few months under regular use. I was having trouble on an separate XP system using a Linksys USB adapter, but the WG111 gets a strong signal and never drops it. Overall I have found the Netgear wireless adapters to outperform the Linksys. This would be a good buy at twice the price.
  
  

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