Microsoft Home Networking Wireless Desktop Kit

Amazon.com Product Description
The Microsoft wireless desktop networking kit comes with a wireless base station and wireless USB adapter. The kit makes it easy to securely add any computer with a powered USB port to your 802.11b wireless network. Share a broadband connection by connecting to the base station, share files and printers with other computers on your network, and play games with multiple players on the Internet.

The wireless USB adapter comes with an easy-to-use setup wizard, designed to make connecting your computers easier. It has strong security features, including 128-bit wireless WEP security, and support for 802.1x standards. The Microsoft broadband network utility makes it easy to monitor your network status.

The base station also features an easy-to-use setup wizard. The router comes with strong security features, including a built-in firewall, Network Address Translation (NAT), and access control lists. The 4-port router easily connects to your network using universal plug-and-play technology to allow voice messaging, video messaging, games, and more. You can also monitor your network status easily with Microsoft's broadband network utility.

System requirements include: a computer with an available compliant, USB 1.x, full-speed, high-power port; a computer running Windows 98, 98 SE, 2000 Professional, Me, or XP Home or Professional editions; Internet Explorer 5.0 or later (setup will install Internet Explorer 6.0 browser components, if necessary, but will not displace your primary browser); 28 MB of available hard disk space if you already have Internet Explorer 5.5 or 6.0 (132 MB of available hard disk space if you are installing Internet Explorer for the first time); a 4x or faster CD-ROM drive; and a VGA or higher-resolution monitor.

Product Description:
Now you can share a broadband Internet connection, files, and printers between two desktop computers. Wirelessly. Effortlessly. Enjoy the freedom of working in different rooms of your home or small office.The Microsoft Wireless Desktop Kit includes everything you need to set up a secure 802.11b wireless network between two desktop computers. The kit includes a Microsoft Wireless Base Station and a Microsoft Wireless USB Adapter. The Microsoft easy-to-use setup software makes it easy for you to connect multiple wired and wireless computers in your home or small office to the Internet through a single broadband connection, such as a cable or DSL modem.

Microsoft Home Networking Wireless Desktop Kit
Average customer rating:

Does NOT included everything needed to network two computers

GREAT PRODUCT W/ POOR SETUP WIZARD

Works The best for me

Not recommended for users who already have a network

Works with Tivo Series 2

Microsoft Home Networking Wireless Desktop Kit

Manufacturer: Microsoft
ProductGroup: CE
Binding: Electronics

Networking Kits | Wireless | Networking & Online Communication | Computer Add-Ons | Computers & Add-Ons | Categories | Electronics
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802.11b Networking | Hardware | Microsoft | Brands | Software
Accessories:

Microsoft Broadband Networking Wireless USB Adapter

Product Features:

Easy-to-use Setup Wizard

Strong security features, including a built-in firewall, Network Address Translation (NAT), and default 128-bit wireless security (WEP)

Universal Plug and Play for seamless UPnP applications such as voice messaging, video messaging, and games

Includes a Wireless Base Station and Wireless USB Adapter

Toll-free product support, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

ASIN: B00006IJO8
Release Date: 2002-09-22

Product Description

Now you can share a broadband Internet connection, files, and printers between two desktop computers. Wirelessly. Effortlessly. Enjoy the freedom of working in different rooms of your home or small office.The Microsoft Wireless Desktop Kit includes everything you need to set up a secure 802.11b wireless network between two desktop computers. The kit includes a Microsoft Wireless Base Station and a Microsoft Wireless USB Adapter. The Microsoft easy-to-use setup software makes it easy for you to connect multiple wired and wireless computers in your home or small office to the Internet through a single broadband connection, such as a cable or DSL modem.

Customer Reviews:

Does NOT included everything needed to network two computers.......2003-08-20

Even though this kit clearly advertised that it contained "Everything you need to create a wireless network for TWO desktop computers" that turned out not to be the case. Because my current modem connected via the USB and not an ethernet card (like the majority of cable modem installations lately), I was told by microsoft that I would need to go out and purchase an ethernet card and an ethernet cable before I could use this kit to hook up both computers.

GREAT PRODUCT W/ POOR SETUP WIZARD.......2003-06-07

bought to connect Windows XP and 98SE computers, the system has a strong signal and has been very reliable.
The Network Utility feature is excellent for home use.
Only negative was a poor quality install wizard on the included software CD. Had to use MSN tech support, but they were cheerful and efficient (minimal wait time). Tech Support rep said that the install wizard is a little buggy and doesn't work as well as they hoped...other than having to "ask for help" it's a great purchase which has expanded our in home computer capability AND enjoyment.

Works The best for me.......2003-06-06

Well, I did a lot of research trying to figure out the best way to hook up my XBox and 2 computers, 1 of which was downstairs while the other 2 were upstairs.

First of all, this is 1 of only 2 Xbox approved wireless Routers. That's a big deal to me becuase of the ammount of online gaming I do. Second, this is the best price I've found for the the wireless router and wireless reciever. This is a must have for anyone needind a router, you never know when you might want wireless, and it really works well.

Not recommended for users who already have a network.......2003-06-03

System works fine now that it's up and running, but since we already had a router connecting our computers, installation became incredibly tedious. The instruction manual gave basic instructions but left out important aspects (like in which spot to connect the cable to the original router).
Tech support was not good at all the first two times i called, and great the last time i called.
Microsoft tech support is kind of annoying overall because you have to go through a lot just to get to tech support (asking for your full name, address, phone number...then they give you a case number, and when you get connected to tech support, you have to repeat all of this information). It was kind of a pain.
The first tech support person wasn't helpful and had a pretty thick accent. The second got angry with me (she had no reason to because i'm harmless and don't get angry), and i'm pretty sure she hung up on me.
The third guy told me exactly what i needed to know, so if you can recommend which tech support you want to use, say Jed!
Anyway, after three days of messing around with all the cables and setting up everything, we finally got the base station running. The adapter was incredibly easy to set up.
If you know anything about network settings, you have no reason to use the software, and therefore no reason to update anything. We didn't end up using the software because it kept detecting the router instead of the microsoft base, so it didn't work. Even when setting up the adapter, the software was only needed to get the necessary driver. You can put in your own network settings.
This set is good if you don't have a lot of networking skills and only have the two computers to connect. That's pretty much the only reason to get this. I got it because it was pretty much the cheapest thing there, but in hindsight, i would have bought something that was easier to deal with.
Other wireless base stations can pretty much be plugged in and work without all the horrible installation problems, so i would definitely recommend something not by Microsoft.
As said in other comments, don't buy it just because it's Microsoft brand, because it is probably one of the worst brands out there.
In conclusion, get this if you're really concerned about the cost, looking for something simple to connect only two computers without an existing network, and not looking for something that's top quality.

Works with Tivo Series 2.......2003-05-30

I have two 80 hour series 2 Tivos connected with the wireless
network and so far have not had a single problem the system.
The inital setup with Windows Xp was not as smooth as I would have liked. The installation disk failed on setup. I will have to
say that Microsoft customer support was great. I only had about
30 seconds of wait time till I was talking to an actual person
that really knew something about the product. The usb adaptor setup in Tivo went very easily. Give it a try if you have Tivo.

Electronics:

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Electronics