Notebook PCMCIA Wireless Adapter

audiobliss

I have a little problem. I have a LinkSys Wireless 802.11B notebook adapter for my (duh) laptop, and I always keep it in my laptop. Well, the other day I had my laptop on the floor...and stepped on the part of the card that sticks out. Needless to say, it doesn't work anymore. So now I'm in need of a new card. I've looked at BestBuy's (that's where I got it) website and didn't see one. (At least I *think* I went there; I'm so tired, I'm not sure, lol.) If they don't, where do I get one? (I'll look at their site after I post this and see if they do indeed have them - for a reasonable price, as I'll be buying it this time.


I ripped the case off the old card, and I don't see any reason why it won't still work. I don't see any cracks or anything. What happened?

audiobliss

Here's a picture of just the card. And so you know, the above pic was taken with the ripped off case sitting on the card; I didn't step on it that hard!

audiobliss

Ok, I just went to BestBuy's site and found three that'll work (I think). One is the SRX; that's WAY too expensive. The other two are 802.11g backwards compatible with 802.11b (right?) cards. They're both $70, but they have different item numbers. What's the difference, and which one do I want? Or, could I buy another brand and it work with our LinkSys router? I just use this for internet access on my laptop.


WPC54G


WPC54GS


Thanks!

audiobliss

Is there a chance with some warranty I don't know about I can get a new one....free?

faster100

any card will work with your router, its the 802.11 you need to have, which they all are.. get the 802.11 "B" and thats all you need, look on e-bay for dirt cheap cards with 10 bucks ship.. They sell the cards for like a penny and jack ya up on shipping but it all pans out and still save a ton.. I use D-links cards and routers and they work well....

audiobliss

Ok, a little clarification here. 1) I need to be able to get this card probably by this weekend. 2) Online ordering for anything (in case you haven't yet noticed) is completely out. I need to get this at a store.

I looked for the 802.11b card on BestBuy's website, but they don't have it listed there. Could they possible have it and just not have it on their site? Would a non-LinkSys 802.11b card work fine?


Thanks!

audiobliss

Ok, I just found this at Circuit City. Is there a reason I should want the more expensive one instead of this one?

Just like my old one.

faster100

Nope it will work fine... they say the G cards are faster but come on its wireless, i think its fast as its gonna get, LOL...

audiobliss

Ok, thanks. I'll just see if I can't get to a CC here soon and buy one. Maybe I should drop in BB and see if they have on in-store even though they don't have it on their site since I have $109 in gift certificates there.

Thanks!

faster100

BB has them im sure of it... check them out... also check office depot where i got mine.. they always run sales...

izafar

audiobliss I hope the problem is with your card only and your notebook is fine. Do you have any other PCMCIA card handy to make sure your notebook's slot is working fine. I had a similar experience with my notebook and I later found out that it is the slot that went wrong and cant be fixed. I end up using USB wireless cards now.

audiobliss

Hmm..I hadn't thought about that. Yes, actually, I have an Iomege Click! drive (and I love it!!). I may stick that in my computer tomorrow just to verify that my PCMCIA slot is still working.

michael_w

If you can't find something on the site just call them.... I've found that big box stores have way more stuff than what is just shown on the website. Good luck with the card.

spwuinmk67

Go to a radioshack store. The card is like $40 or $50 in the store, with a $10 mir.

audiobliss

Thanks! I'll check that out.

Dennis Gardner

I've got a 2wire brand 802.11b card that I would give you if you pm me your addy.

audiobliss

I repeat: aaaaaaagh! lol

I just went to Radio Shack today and bought a Microsoft wireless network PC-Card slot adapter (MN-520) for my laptop for $20. I thought that was a great deal. So anyways, I bring it home and put in the CD before inserting the card per the RS employee and the instructions. The very first window that pops up says This software has known compatability issues with this version of Windows. Go to yadda yadda to get a version that is compatible. Ok, so I grab a cable and hook-up directly to the router and download the newer drivers (but not without downloading the wrong thing first). I then use that software and follow all instructions and when it tells me to insert the card, I do. It then proceeds to not find my card. So I then stick an Iomega Click! PC-Card slot reader into my PCMCIA slot to see if the slot works - nothing. I then stick in my CF card reader to see what happens - nothing. Aaaaaaaagh! I've killed both of my PCMCIA card slots in one blow! Who would've thought I could do that just by stepping on a card?!

So, anyways, I just got back from returning the card to RS. They didn't have USB adapter that is one small unit, so I guess I'm going to go to BB or CC to buy one - for $50!!

What do you guys know about this unit? It's the cheapest thing that BB has; should it work all right with my LinkSys gear?

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=7061662&type=product&productCategoryId=pcmcat25300050006&id=1108125259674

Thanks!