Netgear Wireless adapter

50Twuncle

I bought a Netgear Wireless adapter yesterday - to allow me to relocate my router downstairs
Since I have a Netgear router - I went for a WNDA 3100 V2 (PCWorld £44.95) - What a mistake
To start with - it appears incompatible with Windows 7 64 bit (despite the box saying otherwise) - according to Netgear.com - it is compatible with XP / Vista 32 bit....
The Device Manager reports Drivers installed but the Network and Sharing Centre tell me the Device is DISABLED - Which I can'r ENABLE !!
The adapter LED flashes alternatively amber/blue and the icon on the screen doing nothing when selected (even under administrator)
I have emailed Netgear for advice - but will be returning the device to PC World first thing Monday morning - unless one of you can help ?

SteveJH200

May as well take it back - had a quick on Amazon and they are £33. It may be worth installing the drivers again. Suggest you remove them from 'Programmes' and do a clean install. Anyway, if you have a router with a good range then you don't need to spend a fortune on a USB adaptor. Are you running a laptop or a PC?

50Twuncle

Thanks - I am running a Desktop PC for the adapter -

keith1950

Depends if your motherboard has a spare PCI express slot, I got a TP-LINK TL-WN781 at Amazon for £9.32 the other day, fitted in 2 minutes, didn't have to install the software, working as soon as switched on, only had to enter my network key.

Running Windows 7 64bit.

50Twuncle

I tried a "NOVATECH" PCI adapter which failed to install - so went for a USB

Lokolo

21Twinkle wrote: »

I tried a "NOVATECH" PCI adapter which failed to install - so went for a USB

Did you not try and get some help here before going out and buying a USB adapter?

I find PCI adapters a lot better than USB.

http://www.nvtechusa.com/drivers.html

As there are plenty of drivers here which you could have tried (assuming you didn't!).

GunJack

are you trying to install the software on the cd that came with the adapter ??? If so, DON'T !!!!!. All this does is install the manufacturer's software which often conflicts with windows, and is not needed to run the device.

Uninstall any netgear software in the Programs list, uninstall the dongle and delete the driver from Device manager (you have to do this with it plugged in), and restart the pc without the dongle in. Once it's booted up, plug in the dongle and let windows find and install it. If it asks for the driver disk, pop it in when asked for , not before. This way windows will ONLY install the driver it needs, and no other netgear software (which windows doesn't need).

Try this first, if it don't work, then take it back

ddoris

PC World are open Sundays.

CoolHotCold

Go To Here

Download the Item

Driver Details:

Windows XP(32/64): Driver version 5.60.180.11 and utility version 1.0.3.15
Windows Vista(32/64): Driver version 5.60.180.11 and utility version 1.0.3.15
Windows 7(32/64): Driver version 5.60.180.11 and utility version 1.0.3.15

I have to say it sounds like you are probably doing something wrong.

Uninstall any software on your system from Netgear.

Then go to the Device Manager (either from Control Panel Or from the Search box) and uninstall the driver for the USB adaptor (it will be under Network Controlers) and if it asks select delete driver then once uninstalled remove the wireless USB from the system and run the NEW download software from netgear and follow the instructions

50Twuncle

Lokolo wrote: »

Did you not try and get some help here before going out and buying a USB adapter?

I find PCI adapters a lot better than USB.

http://www.nvtechusa.com/drivers.html

As there are plenty of drivers here which you could have tried (assuming you didn't!).

There are plenty of drivers - but drivers are device dependant - so will only work on a specific device and mine (Addon WMP210's did not work on any drivers that I could find (even from the manufacturers website !!!)

50Twuncle

GunJack wrote: »

are you trying to install the software on the cd that came with the adapter ??? If so, DON'T !!!!!. All this does is install the manufacturer's software which often conflicts with windows, and is not needed to run the device.

Uninstall any netgear software in the Programs list, uninstall the dongle and delete the driver from Device manager (you have to do this with it plugged in), and restart the pc without the dongle in. Once it's booted up, plug in the dongle and let windows find and install it. If it asks for the driver disk, pop it in when asked for , not before. This way windows will ONLY install the driver it needs, and no other netgear software (which windows doesn't need).

Try this first, if it don't work, then take it back

Tried this (windows drivers) and no luck - device was not recognised by Windows so couldn't use built in drivers
Have obtained updated driver from Netgear (WNDA3100v2_1.3_230-106 which also fails to work (Drivers appear installed in Device Manager - but not according to Network Connections...

It clearly says "DISABLED" - and when clicked on - says "Enabling.........Enabled" yet still shows as DISABLED
I will be returning device in the morning...
plus adapter is flashing blue/amber which is not mentioned in instructions or what the button does ?
When pushed - it appears to do nothing ...
Also - in trying to run utility (Netgear icon on desktop) - it does come up with "Failed to run Service"
Forgetting any other issues - running the exe file is supposed to bring up a "insert adapter now" request - which it does not... it brings up a "Failed to Run" Service error !!
Which, to me looks like drivers ?