Wireless USB Solution?

[JLam]

I have a wireless network in my house. I connect wirelessly with my Mac laptop, and up until yesterday I had my PC connected with a hardwire into the router.

I moved the PC, and it doesn't have built in wireless capability, and I can't move the router without running a pain in the ass cable down the hallway. So I want to find something (USB, preferably) to connect my PC.

I've seen this little USB "dongles" that supposedly connect to your router wirelessly. Are they any good?

What do you suggest?

 

[Mongrel]

I'd suggest an internal PCI wireless card, the range on the wireless dongles isn't very good.

 

[JLam]

It's only about 20 feet away. Is the range that bad?

 

[Terry]

that's probably fine. We've not had any trouble with them in our house, but most machines are either wired or are notebooks with internal cards.

 

[tkingdoll]

Mine is fine except if I use another USB port on the PC, it drains the power from the dongle port and I go offline. This happens with things like my iPod, but not, say, a Flash drive.

But, it works great apart from that and the range is more than acceptable.

 

[JLam]

Cool...thanks folks. I bought one. I hope it works out.

I'll be praying hard to my lord and savior Jesus H. Christ.

 

[ClintonHammond]

A priest and a rabbi meet on Saturday afternoon and decided to go to The Fights together.... The rabbi sees one young fighter kneel and cross himself right before a bout and he turns and asks the priest, "What does that mean?"

The priest says, "Not a damn thing if he can't fight."

 

[Kopji]

Adding a USB wireless adapter messed up my music player interfaces too. (Hey, I got the USB adapter for free with a hub).

If you have that trouble you can purchase a USB port card. In hindsight I agree it's probably easier to get a PCI wireless nic instead of the USB dongle.

My range is about 30 feet through three thick walls.

 

[richardm]

I use a Linksys Wireless G USB network adaptor, which is a step up from what I'd call a dongle. It works better than the internal card I had previously, probably because I can park it up high, whereas the internal card had to be on the floor with the rest of the PC. It's a bit late for JLam since he's already been shopping, but there it is for what it's worth

 

[jimlintott]

Mine is fine except if I use another USB port on the PC, it drains the power from the dongle port and I go offline. This happens with things like my iPod, but not, say, a Flash drive.

But, it works great apart from that and the range is more than acceptable.

A powered USB hub might eliminate that problem.

 

[sophia8]

I use a Belkin wireless dongle and I've not noticed any loss in performance when i attach another USB device. Everything's fine.
Having said which, my range is only about 10 feet (straight down through the floor) and I normally only have a printer and card reader attached as well.

 

[paradigm]

Mine is fine except if I use another USB port on the PC, it drains the power from the dongle port and I go offline. This happens with things like my iPod, but not, say, a Flash drive.

But, it works great apart from that and the range is more than acceptable.

This is most curious. I am not an expert in hardware but I would say this is a design flaw. The USB port is supposed to have consistent power supplied to it regardless of the load on the other USB ports. Load upon another port should not cause a voltage drop if the system is designed properly. My understanding is that they should be inpendent and be able to handle the maximum rated load. Could it be related to a failing or inadequate power supply perhaps?

About USB adapters, I do not recommend these either where performance is an issue. Besides issues of reliability, range can also be a factor as stated. In addition, I would highly advise against using Linksys' management software. I have found it to be quite buggy for years now.

 

[huw-l]

This is most curious. I am not an expert in hardware but I would say this is a design flaw. The USB port is supposed to have consistent power supplied to it regardless of the load on the other USB ports. Load upon another port should not cause a voltage drop if the system is designed properly. My understanding is that they should be inpendent and be able to handle the maximum rated load. Could it be related to a failing or inadequate power supply perhaps?

would you care to join me in a rousing rendition of "cheap manufacturers not following the damned spec"?

It's quite a popular tune.

 

[jimlintott]

This is most curious. I am not an expert in hardware but I would say this is a design flaw. The USB port is supposed to have consistent power supplied to it regardless of the load on the other USB ports. Load upon another port should not cause a voltage drop if the system is designed properly. My understanding is that they should be inpendent and be able to handle the maximum rated load. Could it be related to a failing or inadequate power supply perhaps?

I may have found the answer because I too have wondered about some flaky USB behaviour.

From Wikipedia on USB

USB-powered devices attempting to draw large currents without requesting the power will not work with certain USB controllers, and will either disrupt other devices on the bus or fail to work themselves (or both).

Read the bit under the section Non-standard.

 

[paradigm]

I may have found the answer because I too have wondered about some flaky USB behaviour.

From Wikipedia on USB



Read the bit under the section Non-standard.

I think you might be correct, that seems to be the most likely explanation. It is nice to learn things already from my short time at this forum.
I got quite a kick out of this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USB#Non-standard

Those problems with the abuse of the USB power supply have inspired a number of April Fool hoaxes, like the introduction of a USB-powered George Foreman iGrill[7] and a desktop USB Fondue Set.

USB powered George Foreman grill

 

[tkingdoll]

This is most curious. I am not an expert in hardware but I would say this is a design flaw. The USB port is supposed to have consistent power supplied to it regardless of the load on the other USB ports. Load upon another port should not cause a voltage drop if the system is designed properly. My understanding is that they should be inpendent and be able to handle the maximum rated load. Could it be related to a failing or inadequate power supply perhaps?

Nix, I have heard this exact same complaint from others.

In fact it was confirmed to me by our very own Darat over a nice bowl of trifle.

 

[Soapy Sam]

Inadequate power supply, poor connection to the USB ports, poor design of the USB ports, lots of causes. It does happen as any hobby meter will demonstrate.
Buy quality gear is the only answer. (And not always then).
Also make sure the USB ports are recent USB 2 issue. USB 1.1 is wholly unreliable in this area.

 

[The Sopwith Turtle]

I think you might be correct, that seems to be the most likely explanation. It is nice to learn things already from my short time at this forum.
I got quite a kick out of this: USB powered George Foreman grill

I was given a USB powered coffee cup warmer this holiday season. It's a little hot plate that connects to my USB port, and it keeps my tea warm very nicely.