Cisco-Linksys Wireless-G USB Network Adapter with Speedbooster (WUSB54GS)

by Cisco

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 4 x 3 x 1 inches ; 5.8 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B0002XZQAE
• Item model number: WUSB54GS
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (43 customer reviews)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: August 24, 2004

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

Connect your USB-equipped desktop or notebook computer to a wireless network at incredible speeds with the Linksys Wireless-G USB Network Adapter with SpeedBooster. Using your high-speed USB 2.0 port, the Adapter delivers incredible data rates without the trouble of opening up the case of your computer.

The Wireless-G USB Network Adapter with SpeedBooster incorporates the next generation of Wireless-G. In standard Wireless-G (802.11g) mode, the USB Adapter can connect to wireless networks at an amazing 54Mbps. With our new SpeedBooster technology enabled, your "real-world" wireless network performance increases by up to 35%! Unlike other speed-enhancing technologies, SpeedBooster is 802.11 compliant, fully compatible with standard Wireless-G, and a "good neighbor" to other wireless devices and technologies, using a single 2.4GHz channel as specified by the official wireless standard. And with SpeedBooster you'll see an overall speed improvement even when running a mixed network of SpeedBooster and regular Wireless-G devices.

To install, simply plug the Adapter into any available USB port. (It's compatible with both USB 1.1 and 2.0 ports, but 2.0 will yield the fastest speeds.) It gets its power through the USB connection, so no power cord is necessary. The included Setup Wizard walks you through configuring the Adapter to your wireless network settings, step by step. The Adapter is also compatible with the Wireless-B (802.11b) network standard, with data rates up to 11Mbps. And your wireless communications can be protected by 128-bit encryption, so your data stays secure.

The high-gain antenna lets you put your computer almost anywhere in the building, without the cost and hassle of running cables. Now you don't have to drill holes in your walls and climb through the attic or cellar to get connected to the network. Once you're connected, you can keep in touch with your e-mail, access the Internet, use instant messaging to chat with friends, and share files and other resources such as printers and hard disk storage space with other computers on the network.

So don't hassle with running cables through your house -- get connected to Wireless-B, Wireless-G, and SpeedBooster wireless networks the easy way with the Wireless-G USB Network Adapter with SpeedBooster.

See a comparison diagram of the different wireless technologies.

Wireless networks are rapidly becoming more popular and coming down in price. Since they don't require cables, you can use the devices anywhere in an office or home, even out on the patio. There's no need to roll out an Ethernet network cable to each room of a house; you can network anywhere -- without wires. Outside of the home, wireless networking is available in hotspots at coffee shops, businesses, airports -- great when you're on the road and need to get some work done. For convenience, wireless networking is the answer. What Wireless Standard is Right for Me? Now that you've decided to create a wireless network, the next step is to figure out which wireless standard to use. Basically, a standard is a set of specifications for a device. All devices that follow a specific standard share operating characteristics, such as the radio frequency used and maximum data transfer speed. For wireless networking, there are three standards to choose from at this time: 802.11b 802.11a 802.11g 802.11a/g To learn about the differences between the standards and select the right one for your network, click here for an easy-to-understand chart.

Product Description

Linksys Wireless-G USB Network Adapter with Speedbooster Wireless-G for your notebook or desktop computer without opening the case. Now with SpeedBooster technology to boost wireless performance by up to 35%. Also fully compatible with all public and private Wireless-G and Wireless-B networks. Connect your USB-equipped desktop or notebook computer to a wireless network at incredible speeds with the Linksys Wireless-G USB Network Adapter with SpeedBooster. Using your high-speed USB 2.0 port, the Adapter delivers incredible data rates without the trouble of opening up the case of your computer. The Wireless-G USB Network Adapter with SpeedBooster incorporates the next generation of Wireless-G. In standard Wireless-G (802.11g) mode, the USB Adapter can connect to wireless networks at an amazing 54Mbps. With our new SpeedBooster technology enabled, your "real-world" wireless network performance increases by up to 35%! Unlike other speed-enhancing technologies, SpeedBooster is 802.11 compliant, fully compatible with standard Wireless-G, and a "good neighbor" to other wireless devices and technologies, using a single 2.4GHz channel as specified by the official wireless standard. And with SpeedBooster you'll see an overall speed improvement even when running a mixed network of SpeedBooster and regular Wireless-G devices.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Adapter works with some setup effort, August 6, 2005

By 

eau (USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Cisco-Linksys Wireless-G USB Network Adapter with Speedbooster (WUSB54GS) (Personal Computers)

It took me hours to finally get the Linksys WUSB54GS network adapter to work on a Win XP box with my Linksys WRT54GS router. The solution was to use the XP Wireless Zero configuration tool instead of the supplied Linksys Wireless Network Monitor!

I used the supplied driver installation CD-ROM v1.15 to install the drivers for the WUSB54GS, plug the adapter in and it was able to associate with the router but couldn't acquire an IP address. I had WPA-PSK + AES security turned on and SSID broadcast disabled. When I enabled SSID broadcast *OR* disabled WPA security, the adapter could connect and acquire an IP address. Go figure.

Finally, I switched to XP Wireless Zero Configuration. Bingo! The adapter was able to connect and acquire an IP address, with all the above security features still in place.

Apparently, the installation software v1.15 solved the "res.dll" error that people complained about in their reviews. If you can get the adapter working with the Linksys Wireless Network Monitor, great! Otherwise, give the Wireless Zero Configuration tool a try (of course if you are using Win XP).

The wireless connection seems to be relatively stable. It stays connected at 54Mbps most of the time. Occasionally it drops to 48Mbps or 36Mbps, but then manages to get back to 54Mbps. Signal strength stays around Very Good to Excellent (adapter is one floor above the router). Nevertheless, I occasionally get a lost packet when I do a ping but it's less than 1%, which doesn't seem to affect any network activities such as websurfing and transferring huge files though.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars I lost my time with it, November 9, 2004

By 

Eduardo V. V. Montes (Chapel Hill, NC USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Cisco-Linksys Wireless-G USB Network Adapter with Speedbooster (WUSB54GS) (Personal Computers)

I tried to install it in my notebook (Windows 2000 Server) and I had an error (Can't load res_dll).
When I tried to install it in my desktop (Windows 2000 Professional) I had memory conflict.

I paid for being an Early Adopter. I'm not going to repeat this mistake again.

I hope I'll help someone with my review.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars can't find res_dll problem., January 25, 2005

By 

Olga Telitsyna - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Cisco-Linksys Wireless-G USB Network Adapter with Speedbooster (WUSB54GS) (Personal Computers)

Sure it's problem of there software whatever they telling us. If you tired of this message and want to run linksys's Wireless Network Monitor you should download driver for this device from Linksys cite, unzip it (run exe file), find Wlan.ini in directory C:\Linksys Driver\WUSB54GS_09012004 and add in the end of it:

[GemtekLoadResDLL]
LangResID=1
ResFile="resWusb54GS_US.dll"

Then run setup from the same dir to install new driver with correct settings for res_dll (do not forget to uninstall existing version of driver).