Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)Note for operating this device under Windows XP Service Pack 2:
Out-of-the-box, this USB device does not play well with other USB devices. Attempting to do an automatic installation of the drivers (having Windows find the drivers on the CD) consistently yields a Windows STOP error, AKA the Blue Screen of Death. So, I was forced to install the companion software from CD. During the installation, the software told me to update to Windows XP Service Pack 1 with a hotfix I already had installed, to correct known USB conflicts. The device would thereafter only connect to a wireless network if it was plugged in at boot-time, and once disconnected, would not reconnect without a reboot. I still had to get updated drivers for the DWL-G132 from Windows Update and install them; now the conflicts seem but a distant memory.
With the correct drivers, this card has actually started working well in a USB 2.0 port. It is notable to mention that when connected to a USB 1.1 port, the device's performance suffers significantly. Otherwise, it connects reliably to wireless networks anywhere I go and rarely drops signals. It is also very easy to disconnect, reconnect, and swap between laptops and desktop computers. My first reaction when opening the box was that it was too big and would physically take up too much space when plugged in near other USB ports, but it comes with a VERY convenient extended USB cradle. The cradle, of course, allows you to connect the DWL-G132 on the desk, but works with other USB devices just as well, such as memory readers readers, flash memory drives, and even my webcam. That itself is probably the most convenient little gadget I've gotten in a while. If you know the process and can get this card installed properly, it will do very well for you. I'm sure that new revisions will be released containing working drivers in the box, and Windows driver packs will probably include them eventually at install time, but without knowing ahead of time the process was painful.
Also, keep in mind: this is a USB card, it is for portable use. If you try to consistently maximize the throughput, depending on the conditions, it may overheat. If you need to statically connect it to a single machine, get the PCI equivalent.
Click Here to see more reviews about: D-Link DWL-G132 Compact Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter, Cradle Included, 802.11g, 108Mbps
The AirPlus Xtreme DWL-G132 Wireless USB Adapter is a convenient wireless connectivity solution for desktop or notebook PCs. Instead of stringing Ethernet cables to your PC or dismantling your desktop computer case, This 802.11g compatible delivers maximum wireless signal rates of up to 108Mbps when connected to other D-Link AirPlus Xtreme G products. An intuitive configuration utility that allows you to discover and connect to other wireless networks in nearby areas. Compact in size, robust in speed -- it also enhanced data encryption and user authentication.
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