Linksys WPC54A Wireless 802.11a PC Card

Amazon.com Product Description
Put the "mobile" back into mobile computing! Whether you're at your desk or in the boardroom, the Linksys wireless PC card allows you to share printers, files, and other resources anywhere within your LAN infrastructure, increasing your productivity and keeping you in touch.

The Linksys wireless PC card now has a new higher-powered antenna that provides greater ranges than ever. The increased sensitivity helps filter out interference and "noise" to keep your signal clear. Improved error correction in the chipset keeps you operating at higher transmission rates for longer distances. And, since you only need one Type II or III PCMCIA CardBus slot, you're free to use your other slots for additional accessories.

Ready to run in Type II or III PCMCIA CardBus-equipped notebook PCs running Windows 98, 2000, Me, and XP, the Linksys network PC card is truly a must-have for all notebook PC users.

Using the 802.11a networking standard, the Linksys wireless PC card can reach maximum data transfer rates of 72 Mbps (turbo mode), when used with the Linksys WAP54A Wireless 802.11a access point, and up to 54 Mbps when used in a peer-to-peer network or with other 802.11a products. The WPC54A features 152-bit WEP encryption, for higher security than 802.11b products.

Note that 802.11a wireless products do not function with 802.11b wireless products.

See a comparison diagram of the different wireless technologies.

Wireless networks are rapidly becoming more popular and coming down in price. Since they don't require cables, you can use the devices anywhere in an office or home, even out on the patio. There's no need to roll out an Ethernet network cable to each room of a house; you can network anywhere--without wires. Outside the home, wireless networking is available in hotspots at coffee shops, businesses, and airports--great when you're on the road and need to get some work done. For convenience, wireless networking is the answer.

Which Wireless Standard Is Right for Me?
Now that you've decided to create a wireless network, the next step is to figure out which wireless standard to use.

Basically, a standard is a set of specifications for a device. All devices that follow a specific standard share operating characteristics, such as the radio frequency used and maximum data transfer speed.

For wireless networking, there are three standards to choose from at this time:

802.11b

802.11a

802.11g

To learn about the differences between the standards and select the right one for your network, click here for an easy-to-understand chart.

Product Description:
The Wireless PC Card now has a new higher-powered antenna that provides greater ranges than ever. The increased sensitivity helps filter out interference and "noise" to keep your signal clear. Improved error correction in the chipset keeps you operating at higher transmission rates for longer distances. And, since you only need one Type II or III PCMCIA CardBus slot, you're free to use your other slots for additional accessories. Ready to run in Type II or III PCMCIA CardBus-equipped notebook PCs running Windows 98, Millennium, 2000, and XP, the Instant Wireless Network PC Card from Linksys is truly a "must-have" for all notebook PC users.

Linksys WPC54A Wireless 802.11a PC Card
Average customer rating:

Excellent product, when it works.

DO NOT BUY THIS THING--NEW OR USED!!!

A Product or Support Issue?

WPC54A Review

WPC54A Does not work...

Linksys WPC54A Wireless 802.11a PC Card

Manufacturer: Linksys
ProductGroup: CE
Binding: Electronics

Wireless | Networking & Connectivity | Computer Add-Ons | In-Store Pickup | Specialty Stores | Electronics Features | Electronics
All Wireless | Wireless | Linksys | Brands | Electronics Features | Electronics
802.11a Standard | Wireless | Networking & Online Communication | Computer Add-Ons | Computers & Add-Ons | Categories | Electronics
Notebook Cards | Wireless | Networking & Online Communication | Computer Add-Ons | Computers & Add-Ons | Categories | Electronics
Product Features:

Interoperable with IEEE 802.11a network equipment

Up to 72 Mbps Turbo Mode (with Linksys WAP54A only)

Compatible with virtually all major network operating systems

Sturdy metal design with integrated antenna

Capable of up to 152-bit WEP security.

ASIN: B000066JQT

Product Description

The Wireless PC Card now has a new higher-powered antenna that provides greater ranges than ever. The increased sensitivity helps filter out interference and "noise" to keep your signal clear. Improved error correction in the chipset keeps you operating at higher transmission rates for longer distances. And, since you only need one Type II or III PCMCIA CardBus slot, you're free to use your other slots for additional accessories. Ready to run in Type II or III PCMCIA CardBus-equipped notebook PCs running Windows 98, Millennium, 2000, and XP, the Instant Wireless Network PC Card from Linksys is truly a "must-have" for all notebook PC users.

Amazon.com Product Description

Put the "mobile" back into mobile computing! Whether you're at your desk or in the boardroom, the Linksys wireless PC card allows you to share printers, files, and other resources anywhere within your LAN infrastructure, increasing your productivity and keeping you in touch.

Ready to run in Type II or III PCMCIA CardBus-equipped notebook PCs running Windows 98, 2000, Me, and XP, the Linksys network PC card is truly a must-have for all notebook PC users.

Note that 802.11a wireless products do not function with 802.11b wireless products.

Customer Reviews:

Excellent product, when it works........2006-02-16

I have 12 of these puppies in our network, and I use them with the WAP54A access point. All in all they offer great speed, I typically see the advertised 54 Mbps speed range. The only thing that riles me about the WPC54A is the fact that you will have a hard time making it work with a totally plug and play laptop system.

By that I mean your BIOS will not let you choose IRQ or DMA settings, etc... I have an Inspiron 2600 that will not work with the WPC54A for more than a few minutes before it locks the system up and gives me the blue screen of death.

I narrowed it down to the PNP configuration, it tries to share IRQ 9, and it never has worked right. I think Atheros(the OEM manufacturer)should have given the user more control of the actual firmware and hardware settings of the WPC54A.

In all fairness to Linksys, the card DOES work well with the Inspiron 2500, Solo 9550, Inspiron 5100, Latitude CPI-R, Latitutde Cpt series. These are systems which use a non PNP BIOS, and you can tweak your own system settings. If you don't want to be frustrated, you can just purchase a WUSB54AG. That adapter will work with any system, I have never come across a system that it won't work with.

If you are a power user\technical sort of person, you shouldn't have any trouble with the WPC54A. When you can get it to work, it flies !

DO NOT BUY THIS THING--NEW OR USED!!!.......2003-11-22

These things do not work. I have two of them that I can't get to function in any PC I put them in. I tried them on Windows 98SE, Windows 2000, Windows XP. One of them totally locks up every PC I put them in. I got the other one to work for about 5 minutes and then it has never worked since.

A Product or Support Issue?.......2003-09-20

I purchased a Linksys WPC54A and a WAP54A. The WPC54a card will not work. Not under WIN XP, not under WIN 98SE.

Calling Linksys tech support (on 3 separate occasions) did not help. They blamed the notebook (a Fujitsu and Acer) or an IRQ incompatibility (although I told them the IRQ used by the WPC54A card was available).

Bottom line ... I have 2 Linksys products that do not work.

WPC54A Review.......2003-02-11

I am extremely happy with this product and its corresponding WAP54A wireless access point. I would steer clear of the dual-band as I have heard and seen nothing but bad news on that product.
I have the WPC54A card for multiple laptops at home, one running Windows ME, one running Windows 98SE, and one running Windows 2000.
I have never had a problem and this product is much faster and has a better range that the 2.4GHz products, which I had before the WPC54A and WAP54A came out.

WPC54A Does not work..........2003-01-06

I bought this WPC54A adapter for use with my Linksys WRT51AB access point under Windows XP but was completely unable to get it to work. It always locked up my Gateway Solo 9550 laptop within 10 seconds of plugging it in. I tried the later drivers as per tech support and after that my laptop froze immediately every time upon inserting the card. Tech support suggests that this may be an IRQ conflict, but there is no way to change the IRQ. I returned the card to CompUSA and got a Netgear HA501A card and it worked right out of the box (except turbo mode, apparently it doesn't work well with Windows XP, which by the way, is mentioned nowhere on the box). Bottom line, do your research before you buy and you will see that Linksys has some serious issues to work out with the WPC54A wireless card. Good Luck...

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