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Thread ID: 73033 2006-10-05 00:13:00 PCI Wireless card - purchasing advice echothreezero (6612) Press F1
Post ID Timestamp Content User
489258 2006-10-05 00:13:00 Hi,

We have decided to make the leap to broadband at home. We have just purchased a linksys all-in-one broadband modem, router, wireless access point. I do not have the model number handy, but being linksys and brand new, I'm sure it has all the required bells and whistles.

My question is, which PCI card should I buy for my desktop PC to access the wireless network. I have no idea what features I need, or which brands to avoid.

Any recommendations would be appreciated. I'm a confident ishopper, so feel free to post up estore links if relevant.

Cheers
echothreezero (6612)
489259 2006-10-05 04:34:00 Get anything thats got encryption better than WEP (WPA/WPA2/WPA PSK).

Hopefully the router supports WPA/WPA2/WPA PSK.
Speedy Gonzales (78)
489260 2006-10-05 05:39:00 If your wireless router is Linksys I would buy a Linksys PCI card just for best compatability.
It's not a requirement, as they are all based on the 802.11b/g standard, but I have had some problems in the past mixing different brands on the same wireless network.
CYaBro (73)
489261 2006-10-05 07:13:00 Hi,
What version of Windows are u running? I couldnt get a DSE 802.11g WLAN (PCI) card working in two Win98se pcs this week. Not sure but I think they were just too old for it even tho the specs said the card was compatable with 98se.
~Mandy~ (11233)
489262 2006-10-05 19:39:00 I'm running Windows XP Pro SP1. Will upgrade to SP2 once this broadband is up and running!

The ADSL/wireles gateway has a built-in firewall and supports WPA encryption (not sure which version). If the recommendation is to buy a linksys card, can anyone advise me of good place to buy one form?
echothreezero (6612)
489263 2006-10-06 02:52:00 Thankyou for your help. I ended up buying a linksys card. RRp at DSE was $124. I managed to get it for $85 and 3yr warranty from a friend in the IT sector which included a nice cut for him.

Cheers
echothreezero (6612)
489264 2006-10-06 03:28:00 Just make sure if and when u update to SP2, u scan for Spyware/malware.

Or else you'll have probs.
Speedy Gonzales (78)
489265 2006-10-06 03:31:00 before or after I update? why is that? should I just forget about updating to SP2?

Sorry - I used to be very au-fait with all this - in fact I used to be an old member on these boards with a long history of helping people - in fact I wrote some of the FAQ's, but I've been out of IT (and off these boards) for 4-5 years and so far behind it's scary.
echothreezero (6612)
489266 2006-10-06 03:34:00 Before u update to SP2.

SP2 can make XP reboot continuously, if it picks up any nasties AFTER SP2 has been installed.

No SP2 is fine, it just doesn't like a system thats full of spyware.
Speedy Gonzales (78)
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