Realtek USB WiFi-N adapter with high gain antenna $13 shipped -$3 (LIVE AGAIN 10/19)

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wirm

Member
Mar 30, 2006
183
0
0
I got mine on Friday, but still can't get it to work on Windows 7 64-bit. I tried the drivers on the mini CD and on the RealTek web site. :(

Works on windows XP though
 

ESQ

Member
Dec 4, 1999
173
0
71
Received my two and install the one in my Toshiba laptop with a built-in G. Checked my speed with speakeasy.net/speedtest. About a 50% bump over the G and as good as one of my wired 100 connection machines.
 

Skunkwourk

Diamond Member
Dec 9, 2004
4,662
1
81
Works fine with Windows vista. A lot better than my Netgear USB Adapter. I was getting 3 bars, now I get 5. It does get hot though, and Im not sure if that affects transfer speeds.
 

Zap

Elite Member
Oct 13, 1999
22,377
2
81
It does get hot though

This affects a lot of USB dongles, and some have been known to cook themselves. Some people have modded theirs (regardless of brand) to add vents and/or tiny heatsinks.
 

MAG1969

Senior member
Sep 24, 2000
278
0
76
Wirm,

Mine auto-detected in Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit and installed the drivers automatically. No CD needed.
 

Ualdayan

Member
May 11, 2004
76
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Isn't "software AP" just... software? The question is, where's the software?

The download link the person posted in this thread earlier includes a setup.exe that installs a rather useful Realtek program. Normally I just do device manager->install driver, but by using their setup.exe it installed a program to show you signal strength and link quality by 0-100% instead of bars. Also shows a more detailed site survey than windows with channel numbers and encryption types for each network. Along with 'Mode: Client or AP'
 

PClark99

Diamond Member
Jan 12, 2000
3,825
70
91
got mine tonight. It is sooo usefull to have a couple of these laying around.
 

Skunkwourk

Diamond Member
Dec 9, 2004
4,662
1
81
This affects a lot of USB dongles, and some have been known to cook themselves. Some people have modded theirs (regardless of brand) to add vents and/or tiny heatsinks.

I opened it up to put a ramsink on it, but since the antenna is connected to the PCB with a wire and not directly to it. Short of gluing the PCB to the bottom half, I can't figure out a nice way to keep the unit together without the top piece of the plastic housing to snap it shut. Regardless, this adapter has exceeded my expectations for signal strength and transfer speeds.
 

Netopia

Diamond Member
Oct 9, 1999
4,793
4
81
How about cutting a hole in the top housing to let the heatsink protrude? That would give it direct access to outside air while allowing you to hold everything in place.

The question is... what do you use to cut that hole? Pretty small piece to work with and you'd need something sharp or powered. Perhaps a dremel?
 

Jtorrespr1

Senior member
Sep 13, 2005
457
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Any one know if this will work with a wdtv live plus? Thinking of getting one of those and this adapter to put in the kids room?
 

Skunkwourk

Diamond Member
Dec 9, 2004
4,662
1
81
How about cutting a hole in the top housing to let the heatsink protrude? That would give it direct access to outside air while allowing you to hold everything in place.

The question is... what do you use to cut that hole? Pretty small piece to work with and you'd need something sharp or powered. Perhaps a dremel?

Thanks for the suggestion. Ended up drilling a hole in it and using an exacto knife to carve out the rest (slowly). The chip isn't centered but I didn't want to compromise the integrity of the housing too much by cutting too close to the edges. I centered the Zalman ramsink but it still covers the whole chip. Who knows if I'll actually see any benefit, but at least it should be cooler.

IMG_1141.JPG
 

Skunkwourk

Diamond Member
Dec 9, 2004
4,662
1
81
Sure. The ramsink actually gets warm/hot pretty fast and if you can tell, I had to attach it through the top of the housing after I snapped it back together since the fins stick out too much.


IMG_1151.JPG


IMG_1144.JPG


IMG_1142.JPG

yes thats a gross piece of dust on my desk
 
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Jskid

Member
Feb 12, 2011
145
0
0
Two questions
1)is this any better than the POWERLINK PL-150N at this link
2)has anyone bought this from Canada? I ask because when I select Canada the State/ZIP doesn't change to Province/Postal code

Thanks folks, great find
 

wirednuts

Diamond Member
Jan 26, 2007
7,121
4
0
this one does 300mbs receive rate, while that PL-150N only does 150mbs both ways. i can confirm the one in this hot deal thread does run at 300mbs receive and 150mbs transmit when configured properly (use the realtek software to see the data)
 

Zap

Elite Member
Oct 13, 1999
22,377
2
81
Sure. The ramsink actually gets warm/hot pretty fast and if you can tell, I had to attach it through the top of the housing after I snapped it back together since the fins stick out too much.

Nice, thanks! If you had used a bit of sandpaper on the edges of the hole it would almost look like it was manufactured that way.
 

Zap

Elite Member
Oct 13, 1999
22,377
2
81
The internal wifi on my wife's laptop went out.

You can get replacement internal WiFi cards. Heck, even I have a couple of internal mini-PCIe Realtek B/G laying around from upgrading to B/G/N.
 

BIGFOOTPI

Golden Member
Mar 8, 2005
1,029
0
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Sure. The ramsink actually gets warm/hot pretty fast and if you can tell, I had to attach it through the top of the housing after I snapped it back together since the fins stick out too much.


http://pics.bbzzdd.com/users/eghck/IMG_1151.JPG[/IMG

[IMG]http://pics.bbzzdd.com/users/eghck/IMG_1144.JPG[/IMG

[IMG]http://pics.bbzzdd.com/users/eghck/IMG_1142.JPG[/IMG
yes thats a gross piece of dust on my desk[/QUOTE]

nice work
modding usb wireless adapters will be the next big thing! :)
 

ICXRa

Diamond Member
Jan 8, 2001
5,924
0
71
Sure. The ramsink actually gets warm/hot pretty fast and if you can tell, I had to attach it through the top of the housing after I snapped it back together since the fins stick out too much.


yes thats a gross piece of dust on my desk

Nice work!
 

tlechaos

Member
Jan 22, 2003
88
0
0
In for 2. Free shipping definitely expired. Tried out the eBillme for 10% cash back. Not sure how that works but hopefully will get the cash back to partially cover the shipping cost.

Thanks again OP!