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November 13th, 2007 16:00
LINKSYS WIRELESS ADAPTER FOR WINDOWS 98SE
OBJECTIVE FIND WIRELESS ADAPTER FOR WINDOWS 98SE- Find a wireless adapter for Windows 98SE on my GX110 and/or my GX1 . The Linksys website and also a Linksys chat session gave two options for a Desktop running Windows 98SE: (1) WMP54G (Ver 4.1 only), a PCI and (2) WUSB54G (Ver 4.0).
WMP54G OR WUSB54G- The Linksys web site and also Linksys live technicians confirmed the WMP54G (PCI), Ver 4.1, but not all earlier versions, works with Windows 98SE, even though, the minimum requirements on the Ver 4.1 new box, did not include Windows 98SE but only listed Windows 2000 and XP. Also, on Oct. 13, 2007, the Linksys website confirmed the following three things: (1) the WMP54G V4.1 is compatible with Windows 98SE, ME, 2000 and XP, (2) the latest driver is 1.0.3.0 and the (3) latest utility monitor version is 4.5. I have run my WMP54G Version 4.1 (PCI) 24/7 for one month, so far, on my GX110 with Windows 98SE and it is running perfect. I had previously disabled the onboard GX110 NIC, so I left it disabled. A good indicator of compatibility is the GX110 clock does not lose any minutes, when compared to the clock on two other computers, as did happen with the other incompatible Linksys wireless adapter model WUSB54GP (Ver.1). It may loose or gain a few seconds but not more than a minutes in a 24 hour period. Incompatible drivers can cause a loss of 2 or 3 hours per 24 hour day. I will continue testing and report back.
WUSB54GP NOT FOR WINDOWS 98SE - The WUSB54GP is not compatible with Windows 98Se. The miminum requirements on the Linksys WUSB54GP (Ver 1) packaging clearly includes Windows 98SE. But both Linksys technical support says and my testing shows the WUSB54GP is not compatable with Windows 98SE I spent 5 1/2 hours with Linksys tech support trying to make it work on both a GX1 and then on a GX110, and also disabled the onboard NIC. But after initial "apparent" success, and running for a couple of days, the intermittent temporary freezups and the occasional computer lockups could not be prevented.
ENCRYPTION LEVELS & WINDOWS 98SE - The encryption methods are set in my WRT54G router, so having one Windows 98 SE wireless adapter downgrades the maximum security available to any and all computers on my peer to peer network. Some of the encryptions supported by XP professional are not supported by Windows 98 SE. For example XP Pro supports 128 bits WEP with 26 digits, but Windows 98SE only supports 64 bits WEP with 10 digits. For another example, Windows 98SE does not support WPA but XP Pro does. This encryption downgrade is acceptable for me.
MY NETWORK - My peer to peer network has 4 hardwired (RJ45) computers, two wireless computer adapters for both a Dell D620 Latitude and a GX110, and also a Dell 3300 printer wirelelss adapter for a Dell 1710 printer. Four computers run XP professional and 2 computers run Windows 98. The GX110 with the Linksys WMP54G wireless adapter has a one GHz Intel processor, which I plan to upgrade to 1.4 Ghz.
I posted this message to the wrong forum, Desktop Optiplex, but just today found this wireless forum. Any advice will be appreciated.
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Gina Q
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November 16th, 2007 14:00