Customer Reviews

Pure Networks Network Magic 2.0

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(7)

 

 

This software in under 90 minutes allowed me to connect four different computers running three different operating systems - Windows 2000 Professional, Windows ME and Windows 98SE, something I have been trying to do without success for several months. It was simple to install and set up. It delivers what it promises.

Two wired PCs (XP Prof, XP Home), one wireless PC (Win 98), one wireless laptop (XP Home), one wireless print server, and newest addition wireless TIVO .... with Windows alone I had them all going at some time, but never all together. Network Magic and one hour later, I am now looking at a fully functional network, can control EVERYTHING from one user interface. Great product!

I wish I'd had this three years ago when I set up my network in my new home (I had it wired for ethernet.) I now have eight network devices and I can see them all and whether they're on or offline. Sharing is easy to set up also. I'm fairly sure Windows XP can see and do all of this, but it's always been a miserable experience wading through all of XP's arcane windows. I really have no issues here at all. Very nice software -- no bugs or quirks when I installed in on three home computers. It works as advertised (...). (I'm betting the new Windows Vista will incorporate something like this, following the Microsoft tradition of letting others fix your omissions, then incorporating their ideas into your next release.)

Oh yeah -- my boxed version came with a printed manual and quick start guide.

I love this product. Wait, what I mean is, I love the idea of this product.
I love the idea of a network manager that sits quietly in the background. Stealthily repairing lost or broken connections, registering new additions to the network and informing me, at all times, who is and isn't on my network. Informing me of any questionable activities or problems it discovers.
The concept is great. The implementation of this concept, however, is not quite the helpful friend it seems.
Within 2 days of installing NM, I was having to retreat to my 2nd floor office several times a day to re-set my di-624 router after completely losing connection with my laptop. My wifes computer, in another study, was constantly receiving connection error messages. The NM program was constantly checking and re-checking these connections. Informing me that it was "on the job" fixing and repairing connections at a dizzying pace. An automatically downloaded upgrade shortly after install seemd to increase the frequency of these "network crashes".

If I was not extremely familiar with home networking, and more specifically, my personal home network. I could easily believe that NM was saving my life from all the correcting, repairing and disconnecting and resetting of connections it was doing. Saving me from the trouble of having to enter the appropriate setup modes to work in these issues and and relieving me of the responsibility of having to learn how to do these things.

Unfortunately, or fortunately, for me... I DO know how to do all this stuff.

My network, which was running perfectly prior to the installation of NM, was now presenting as many as 7 to 12 reset scenarios a day. Not just "connection repairs" which can be performed from the remote computer you are on (although it was performing those multiple times through the day), but networks resets which required me to acces the router and reset it.

I can see how someone might think this a life saver if it was saving them from all the problems it claims to be fixing. However, my network, which had 1 reset in the last 3 months, never had the kind of problems I was experiencing with NM. And guess what? After un-installing the program, it is back to normal again.

As I said before, I would love to have a program that relieves me from the tedious tasks assoiated with performing the services it is claiming to offer. However, Network Magic, for me, does not live up to these claims.

I recommed purchasing this from a place that will accept returns if you are wanting to try it. It may work for you, but I wouldn't roll those dice without a way out.

Great Idea.

Poorly Implemented.

Not Recommended.

I still think this is a good program but I will add a word of caution. I had every intention of buying this program through their Web site until I read the fine print. The price of the software includes one year of remote access (net2go) but they will AUTOMATICALLY charge your credit card for an additional year at the then going rate UNLESS you cancel by the end of the one-year period. I don't like this approach and am disappointed that this company is resorting to this tactic. [...]

Hi everyone,
I think this program is great. I have networked 3 computers and a 3in1 printer and all seem to work great together with easy access when needed. With wireless, this program makes it easy to do everything from my comfortable recliner while sipping on a good strong cup of jo. Take care!!

Have been using the new version 3 only to say, don't waste your time on even a discounted version 2. Seamlessly connected my old Dell, my new Sony, my PDA with WiFi and my Network Wifi video camera. If you know of a better product, please let me know.

This is a fine program. Yeah, geeks will say that it doesn't do much more than what's already available in Windows XP but, for the rest of us, this will save hours setting up a network on our home computers. Okay, there's no manual (yet) but their tech support, both E-mail and toll free telephone, is exceptional and, for some of us, that's better than a manual since they address our specific concerns. I have two desktops and a laptop networked with four printers and they all work! I haven't tried file sharing or the remote access features but those are bonuses anyway. You will also learn to appreciate the extras such as info about each computer's memory, signal strength of remote signal, IP & Mac addresses, etc. For the current price of $29.99, this is a bargain.

About a month and a half ago I purchased a D-Link wireless router, DI-634M. Last night I got around to setting up my network. I went through the router setup wizard and then installed the accompanied software, Network Magic. Boom, I was connected. I could see the desktop I was on and the printer connected to it. Checked my internet connection, it was fine. Then the software said to take out the disk and load the software on all other computers. So I broke out the Dell laptop, installed the software, turned on the internal WiFi for the laptop. Again just like that, I was on! It was pretty slick! I could see the laptop I was on, the main desktop and the printer connected to it. I broke out the older Dell W2K laptop with a PCMCIA wireless card (the card is a new D-Link DWL-G650M Wireless 108G MIMO CardBus Adapter that goes with the router). Loaded the Network Magic software and there it is again. I could see all three systems including the printer connected to the main desktop.

I have read several times where people had difficulties setting up their new router and software. Fortunately, I have not had the problems that others have described with their installations of other network devices and software. My router and one wireless card is all new along with the Network Magic software. Maybe that is why my installation was so easy.

So far Network Magic is, I guess, pretty good. This is my first Home network I have set up. I haven't had any issues yet (My network has been up less than 24 hours), except when I found out that my Network Magic software is a 30 day free trial, it isn't included in the cost of my router.

An Interesting read on Network Magic:

http://www.engadget.com/entry/1234000103032409/

I have been using this for the past three months. What decided the purchase was the fact that it would link my Dell 9300 laptop with all my printers in my wirless network. For someone who doesn't know much about "wireless networks" it worked great, and the laptop found the printer perfectly.

Now, the desktop which is "wired" to the router loses the software every time the machine starts which then up pops a error message to restart winXP or call Network Magic support. I restarted several times and had no luck. When I called Network Magic support the only help I recieved after explaining my problem was to reinstall windows and to see what happens after that.

In other words this was no help at all after a reinstall still did not fix the problem.

So the bottom line is that it is dead on my desktop but still functions on the laptop.