BELKIN WIRELESS PCI NETWORK ADAPTER F5D6000

[Papa]

I am considering purchasing the above Belkin product for my computer because
the price is really low ($12). This Belkin product is the kind in which you
can insert a notebook wireless adapter, and then use that adapter in a
desktop computer.

I happen to have a spare Linksys Wireless-G notebook adapter, Model no.
WPC54G version 1.2, and it looks like the Belkin product might be an
inexpensive way to allow me to use the Linksys adapter in a new desktop
computer I recently built. Does anyone know if my Linksys notebook adapter
will fit in the Belkin F5D600, and if it can, will it work OK? I already
have a wireless 4-port router installed for my LAN, and it is being used
successfully with other computers, connected by both wired and wireless.

Thank you.

 

[Papa]

I have been learning a few things about such adapters. There is no such
thing as a "one size fits all" concept. The adapter must match the notebook
adapter in several ways. For example, my notebook adapter has a 32-bit
Cardbus interface and is not compatible with Type I slots. So the Belkin
device would probably not work.

However, I found another brand that looks like it will do the job. It is
compatible with revision 2 standards (32-bit support), supports Type I, II,
and III card sizes, and has an ejector lever. It is the P111 Extron adapter,
rev. 2.0, which I found on eBay for $19 including shipping.

Once it arrives, I will try it out and post a follow-up.

 

[Papa]

Follow up:

Didn't work. I spent 2 days trying everything under the sun. Downloaded the
latest drivers, looked for new firmware (none), removed all network drivers
and associated software and started all over (several times), made sure the
WEP digits matched what I was using for my wireless router, used
Infrastructure, channel 6, etc., etc., etc.. NOTHING I tried could make the
Linksys WPC54G work, even though it works just fine in a laptop.

Finally I gave it up, went to the computer store and purchased a D-link
(same brand as my wireless router) model DWL-G510 PCI Adapter, installed the
software, installed the adapter, and was accessing the internet in about 10
minutes.