Warm? Netgear Fast Network Starter Kit for $31

HESDog

Golden Member
Feb 3, 2002
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This is my first post, so be gentle.

While cruising through my local BB B&M they had a Netgear Fast Network Starter Kit, Model FB105 on clearance for $30.50. The package includes the FS105 (5 port) Fast Ethernet Switch, two FA311 32-bit 10/100 NIC's and two 10' Cat 5 cables and some software. Not a great deal, but not too bad either...
 

wjsulliv

Senior member
May 29, 2001
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For general windows networking this is a good deal.

I don't know about the FS-105, but my DS-104 10/100 Hub works really nicely.

However, notes about the FA-311:
1) Netgear screwed up production of several of them, as a result they think they are (or register in XP as) FA-312 cards. Thus you have to download a *.exe file from Netgear in order to get your card to have the proper ID and run with full functionality. If you have a screwed up card and aren't using XP, your system will have trouble finding the driver on the provided floppy disk during install. It will be looking for the FA-312 driver, thus you have to specifially point it to the driver for the FA-311 for your version of windows. Only if they screwed up your card, aparently some are ok.

2) Even though Ghost 2002 says it supports this NIC, it doesn't. Netgear has some Beta drivers, but they don't work either.

3) This card works very well regardless of its network ID in Windows, so don't be discouraged by 1 or 2 above if that is what you want it for.
 

PandaBear

Golden Member
Aug 23, 2000
1,375
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It is a fairly good price, since most hub and switch are starting at $30. But:

This card is not very good for older linux, because the drivers are too new for them (ie, if you want to use LRP as a router). While there are other cards that are cheaper and work just as good (if you don't need that switch).

The 10' cable length might be something that is not going to fit most people, where PCs are far away from each other.

But if they works for you, go for it, it is a good price.