Inexpensive Windows 7 compatible USB dongles

S

sakau2007

New member
I have all but concluded that my old USB dongle I used for wifi is not compatible with Windows 7 (it installs correctly but detects no networks; An Edimax Ralink RT73 USB dongle).

So what are some inexpensive USB wifi options that are tried and true Windows 7 performers?

Thanks,
Steve
 

My Computer

OS
Windows 7 Profressional
CPU
Quad Core 3.0 GHz
Memory
8 GB DDR2-800
Graphics Card(s)
ATI 4670
Monitor(s) Displays
Acer 23" 1080p
Screen Resolution
1920x1080
Internet Speed
6mbps/640kbps
I bought a net gear wpn 111 for $12 last year when I started running Win 7 and it works fine. I used it on an old p4 that I installed beta's and rc's and now win7 home premium and never a glitch. I do have to set the driver up in compatibility mode before installing it. What usb adapter do you have and are you using it in compatibility mode?
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/316-compatibility-mode.html
 

My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Gateway GT5692
OS
Windows 7 Ulti. x64
CPU
AMD Phenom 8450 triple-core 2.10 ghz
Memory
4GB
Graphics Card(s)
ATI Radion HD 3200
Monitor(s) Displays
Gateway FPD1775W
Screen Resolution
1280x720
Hard Drives
465.6613 Gibibytes
I'm using a rosewill RNX-g1 on W7 64 without any issues.
 

My Computer

OS
7rc
CPU
Phenom II 940
Motherboard
Gigabyte GA-MA790X-UD4P
Memory
8GB DDR2 800 5-5-5-18
Graphics Card(s)
Asus eah4870 dk 1gb
Sound Card
motherboard realtek hd
Monitor(s) Displays
Acer AL2216W
Screen Resolution
1680x1050
Hard Drives
Ocz-Vertex 60
WD Velociraptor 300
Samsung HD501LJ 500
Samsung HD102UJ 1T
PSU
coolmaster rs-750w
I have an Edimax Ralink RT73 wireless USB dongle with a driver dated from March 2009 (says its up to date; can't find a newer one).

I have not tried it in compatibility mode so I will give that a shot. I will need to remove the dongle, and completely uninstall the driver, right?

For what it's worth, uninstalling and reinstalling has given me trouble in the past with this. When I install on a new build, I go through the setup and it prompts me when to actually plug the adapter into the computer. However, when this didn't work I uninstalled it and tried reinstalling the driver. It seemed to install correctly, but it never prompted me to plug it in to the computer. It obviously "remembered" something which worries me a little bit.

I will attempt this in compatibility mode when I go home in a few hours though. I assume it needs to be in Windows XP compatibility mode?
 

My Computer

OS
Windows 7 Profressional
CPU
Quad Core 3.0 GHz
Memory
8 GB DDR2-800
Graphics Card(s)
ATI 4670
Monitor(s) Displays
Acer 23" 1080p
Screen Resolution
1920x1080
Internet Speed
6mbps/640kbps
sakau2007 said:
I have an Edimax Ralink RT73 wireless USB dongle with a driver dated from March 2009 (says its up to date; can't find a newer one).

I have not tried it in compatibility mode so I will give that a shot. I will need to remove the dongle, and completely uninstall the driver, right?

For what it's worth, uninstalling and reinstalling has given me trouble in the past with this. When I install on a new build, I go through the setup and it prompts me when to actually plug the adapter into the computer. However, when this didn't work I uninstalled it and tried reinstalling the driver. It seemed to install correctly, but it never prompted me to plug it in to the computer. It obviously "remembered" something which worries me a little bit.

I will attempt this in compatibility mode when I go home in a few hours though. I assume it needs to be in Windows XP compatibility mode?
Click to expand...
Yes. that works for me and I think I even use an old driver because windows seems to want me to update my driver but when I do it does not work. So good luck to you with yours. However under $20 dollors for usb adapters is very common on the net.
 

My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Gateway GT5692
OS
Windows 7 Ulti. x64
CPU
AMD Phenom 8450 triple-core 2.10 ghz
Memory
4GB
Graphics Card(s)
ATI Radion HD 3200
Monitor(s) Displays
Gateway FPD1775W
Screen Resolution
1280x720
Hard Drives
465.6613 Gibibytes
okay... it didn't seem to work.

because the files were on a cd i couldnt run the setup (autorun) from compatibility mode. so i just installed it. then ran the program in compatibilty mode. no dice.

i uninstalled, then rebooted.

then i copied the files from the CD to the desktop and ran the autorun file in compatibility mode. once it installed, i fired up the program, again, in compatibility mode. and again, it didn't work. looks like i will have to try a different dongle.
 

My Computer

OS
Windows 7 Profressional
CPU
Quad Core 3.0 GHz
Memory
8 GB DDR2-800
Graphics Card(s)
ATI 4670
Monitor(s) Displays
Acer 23" 1080p
Screen Resolution
1920x1080
Internet Speed
6mbps/640kbps
sakau2007 said:
okay... it didn't seem to work.

because the files were on a cd i couldnt run the setup (autorun) from compatibility mode. so i just installed it. then ran the program in compatibilty mode. no dice.

i uninstalled, then rebooted.

then i copied the files from the CD to the desktop and ran the autorun file in compatibility mode. once it installed, i fired up the program, again, in compatibility mode. and again, it didn't work. looks like i will have to try a different dongle.
Click to expand...
Sorry that it did not work for you. Are you removing your usb adapter from your pc first before installing the driver? Then run the software. Shut the pc off. Plug the adapter in, restart, maybe windows 7 will see your adapter and install your drivers. Good luck to you.
 

My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Gateway GT5692
OS
Windows 7 Ulti. x64
CPU
AMD Phenom 8450 triple-core 2.10 ghz
Memory
4GB
Graphics Card(s)
ATI Radion HD 3200
Monitor(s) Displays
Gateway FPD1775W
Screen Resolution
1280x720
Hard Drives
465.6613 Gibibytes
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