Inexpensive Windows 7 compatible USB dongles

[sakau2007]

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

 

[myzr7]

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

 

[c59]

I'm using a rosewill RNX-g1 on W7 64 without any issues.

 

[sakau2007]

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?

 

[myzr7]

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?

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.

 

[sakau2007]

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.

 

[myzr7]

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.

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.