Reviews for D-Link AirPlus Xtreme G Wireless Adapter

By member: drizzet1 - Aug 22, 2004

D-Link AirPlus Xtreme G Wireless Adapter

Strengths: Great signal strength, once it's working.

Weakness: Horrible drivers from Dlink. As in Non-functional.

I bought this card thinking it would be a simple set-up. Just plug in the PCI card, install the drivers on the supplied CD, and you're done, right? Wrong. I tried installing the drivers and utility Dlink provided, and although my system recognized the card, nothing worked. The Utility wouldn't run and I had no signal. I tried getting the latest drivers from Dlink's site. I updated the drivers on my motherboard and sound card (a sound blaster - I read some people had trouble getting the card to work with them). I tried different PCI slots. I ran windows update. Nothing worked. Calling their tech support was useless. Granted they were open 24/7, which was nice, but the rep I spoke with basically told me I should return the card and buy something else. Great. I probably would have returned it if I hadn't purchased the card online and a return would have meant a 20% restocking fee for me. After doing some research, it turns out there are alot of other people out there that had the same problems as I did. The DWL-G520 is based on the Atheros AR5002 chipset and it turns out Atheros provides a basic driver. Do a Google search for "I'm hosting atheros drivers" and look at the thread on BroadBandReports.com to see all the people having trouble with Dlink's drivers. There's a few people hosting the Atheros drivers in that thread; once I downloaded those and installed them, the DWL-G520 worked great. It took me roughly 15 hours to figure this all out and get it working decently, no thanks to DLink.

I'm using this with a DLink DI-624 Router (which works great). I'm running Windows 2K on an old P3 866 machine, using an Asus CUSL2-C MoBo, Sound Blaster Live Platinum 5.1, and an Asus V7700 Deluxe video card; 512 MB RAM. A little old, but well within the minimum requirements Dlink stated for their card.

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D-Link AirPlus Xtreme G Wireless Adapter

Strengths: Good speed. Decent signal strength, even through electronic obstacles and walls.

Weakness: DONT BUY REVISION A VERSION! I purchased one of both Rev A and Rev B........Rev A sucks. ALso, the software interfaces are weak in that it doesn't register your settings.

First off, on the revision A card, I have to hold the close button "X" down to get the software to scan and attach to the router. I also have to wait about ten seconds before it will let in a packet from the internet. The rev A. drivers have to be installed in two parts 1)the driver and 2)the AES encrytion. According to D-Link the chipsets changed (for the better apparently) from rev A to rev B. The Rev B card and software seem to work fine once configured correctly. I happen to use the Rev A in my newer machine. Having problems in the newer machine doesn't really make sense. But like most people I have little time to play 'swap the NICs' to see if there is a hardware conflict. I have to use the Rev A card there there since my older machine runs the print service and stays on all the time (rev B card runs continuously).

I spent at least 10 hours on the Rev A problem and finally resolved I would have to either trash the card and buy a new one or just deal with it.

The rev B version seems to do a great deal better but the software is still a bit unwieldy to understand and "know" what configuration you are using and what it's settings are.

I still recommend the rev B card since it has worked well since I upgraded to the latest firmware.

The DI-624 router is also very good. It requires a very infrequent reboot. But it works well with the cards, when they work. The router is very fast. I hope the range gets longer in future versions. 802.11i security is also possible according to the spec sheets. It will be a very welcome upgrade. It may even help with the rev A issues.

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D-Link AirPlus Xtreme G Wireless Adapter

Strengths: None as yet

Weakness: Completely hangs system. Tech support is friendly but the prblem persists

If you own a Compaq (my kid's machine) with the VIA chipset, beware. Have a DI-624 router which I love but this card simply will not work for me. I've removed all other devices from the PCI slots, checked IRQs, checked BIOS and still the machine freezes up as soon as I enable the network. This was a fresh install of XP Home and I need the network to activate. Hope tech support comes up with an answer in the next 20 days or I'll be buying a different card. Certianly not a simple installation on a Compaq 7470.

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D-Link AirPlus Xtreme G Wireless Adapter

Strengths: ease of set up

Weakness: none found so far

I have the Dlink 802.11g system at my home. I have four computers networked, three with WinXP and one with Win98. The installation was very easy and I had no problems with the configuration. I have not upgraded the firmware to 108 because I have not seen the need to do so.

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D-Link AirPlus Xtreme G Wireless Adapter

Strengths: None

Weakness: Does not work with Win98 as advertised and caused damage

I just bought this yesterday and installed it last night. After the software was installed Internet Explorer, Norton Antivirus, and Zonealarm would crash upon startup. I can no longer get an internet connection even using my existing LAN connection. I have uninstalled the software, drivers, and the card itself and the problem still perists. I called tech support and was told that they had realized that their 802.11g implementation was not compatible with Win98. They did not know what was wrong and could not lend any help.

I have set up other wireless networks and have never had damage done to my computers.

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D-Link AirPlus Xtreme G Wireless Adapter

Strengths: Ease of Installation

I read several reviews and was really worried that I would not be able to set this up very well. My pc was a compaq 6000 and my wireless connection had to range about 30 feet, through 2 weather walls with insullation. I installed the DWL-2100AP Access point into my router. No Problem. But I was not expecting any - so then I installed the PCI Adapter. Well I followed the directions exactly. This caused me a little bit more time and another reboot or two - but the thing set up beautifully! In fact I have an icon on my toolbar saying that I have a "very good connection". I am sharing a broadband connection - and it is just a quick as my hardwared system.

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Solid product

Strengths: Super easy to install and configure. Dlink support site (downloaded latest drivers before install) was very easy to navigate. Provides excellent security features.

Weakness: None yet.

Bought 3 to upgrade older wireless adpaters. Saw an instant increase in speed within the home network. Solid 54 Mbps connections throughout the house (2 stories, 2600 sq. ft.). One system actually has a washing machine right behind it, (utility room adjacent to bedroom) between it and the AP. Still gets a good, consistent signal. Very pleased overall.

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great hardware, horrible driver

Strengths: price, features, speed, signal strength, very easy to setup.

Weakness: horrible, horrible D-Link driver.

Before I installed this card, I first grabbed the latest driver from D-Link. Upon installation and setting up the profile, everything went great. 30 minutes later, it crashed. And the crash just doesn't stop there. The problem is from one of the D-Link driver file. I did some search online and found out this problem is very normal. One way to fix is to use Atheros driver. They are the chip maker for GWL-G520. Once I installed Atheros driver, not a single crash. And I also noticed the signal strength went up from 50% from D-Link driver to 90% from Atheros driver.

Just google Atheros driver and you will find some links from dslreport. It's far superior than D-link driver.

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D-Link AirPlus Xtreme G Wireless Adapter

Strengths: See D-Link DI624 review

Weakness: none so far

THIS IS REPEAT OF DI624 REVIEW.
This unit, as mentioned, relaces a Linksys (my second one) which functioned well at times, but not with consistencey. The D-Link DI624 performed out of the box and the range is superb with the DI520 and DI650 I purchased with the DI624. Both installed easily. I think I will now have the stability I've lacked previously with Linksys. The Three Year Warranty is I hope, an indication of the manufacturer's faith in their product. The Quick Installation Guide was clearly written and easily followed.

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D-Link AirPlus Xtreme G Wireless Adapter

Strengths: Easy to hookup/install; instructions clear

Weakness: None seen so far!

This is a good product, and is backward compatible to 11g and 11b. AirPlusXtreme G has 24/7 Tech Support (had a quick question that was answered quickly and clearly on installation).

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D-Link AirPlus Xtreme G Wireless Adapter

Strengths: Great reception, high transfer rate

Weakness: Like somebody else already commented on,"the drivers" Make sure you download the newest ones available

I noticed that when in B/G mode the cordless phone would deminish the signal to and sometimes block it to my card. I would recomend keeping it just in wireless G mode for 2 reasons,
1) it will be a more reliable, less signal loss with higher transfer rates
2) people that with just wireless B can't piggy back or pick up your signal

In our house we have the DI-624 router, the DWL-G650 in my laptop, and 3 of the DWL-G520. I am happy with all of them. I was even happier after I updated all the drivers. ;)

Also, if you are upgrading from a Wireless B network make sure that all cards are upgraded at the same time. If you have 1 card that is B and 3 that are extreme G, then the B will absolutely drop the speed of your whole network.

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Excellent

Strengths: GOOD Signal

Weakness: NONE

BEST High Speed NIC Connection of any card I have ever had. Easy install. Works 100% with Dlink Gaming Router. NO dropped signals, no lag. Great for your wireless connection.

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