Microsoft Home Networking Wireless Desktop Kit

Rating:
Summary: Some problems
Review: I recently purchased a base and adapter to hook up another desk top computer. I also could not complete the installation because of a firewall.I disconnected the Norton protection, but I still could not complete the installation. If this happens you have to enter the required information by hand when you install the adapter for the remote computer. I also lose my connection for no apparent reason, approximately every half hour. I have to pull the power, and wait 10 seconds, then plug it back in again. Microsoft is aware of this problem, because they are the ones who told me to do this. ONe time the base station computer couldn't access the internet, but the remote computer could ??? I had to delete the program on both computers and start over again. There are no waits to get help from Microsoft on the phone. When it works, it works very well. I agree it is not ready for prime time yet. I have only owned it for 5 days.

Rating:
Summary: Works with Tivo Series 2
Review: If you have a broadband internet connection and multiple people in your house who need access to it... rather than fight over one connection, buy this kit! It's cheap, works great, and supports up to 4 additional remote desktop or notebook PC's (note: PC's only, non-Wintel, e.g. Apple computers, are not supported). The install was not quite as smooth as I would have liked. I got what turned out to be a phantom error (a false negative on a standard test built into the install program) and had to call Microsoft support. But they quickly realized the error was false and I completed the install with a little help from them. The end result is fabulous! My wife has high speed access from her office just below mine and we didn't have to pay the cable company for a second hookup and another cable modem. Now I can add a couple laptops and another desktop should the need arise by purchasing only the wireless adaptor and installing the software and putting in the encryption key (which you get at from your wireless base station using the included software). Performance is great... sitting at her desktop, I quickly forgot I was accessing the net wirelessly via my desktop one floor up.

Rating:
Summary: Quirky Install - But Works Great In The End!!
Review: If you have a broadband internet connection and multiple people in your house who need access to it... rather than fight over one connection, buy this kit! It's cheap, works great, and supports up to 4 additional remote desktop or notebook PC's (note: PC's only, non-Wintel, e.g. Apple computers, are not supported). The install was not quite as smooth as I would have liked. I got what turned out to be a phantom error (a false negative on a standard test built into the install program) and had to call Microsoft support. But they quickly realized the error was false and I completed the install with a little help from them. The end result is fabulous! My wife has high speed access from her office just below mine and we didn't have to pay the cable company for a second hookup and another cable modem. Now I can add a couple laptops and another desktop should the need arise by purchasing only the wireless adaptor and installing the software and putting in the encryption key (which you get at from your wireless base station using the included software). Performance is great... sitting at her desktop, I quickly forgot I was accessing the net wirelessly via my desktop one floor up.

Rating:
Summary: Very Good Range, and easy installation
Review: It has very good range, covers my whole 2 story house (2200 SFT) and backyard. Installation on my XP PCs and laptop were as easy as it gets. Downloaded the firmware for the router for better performance. If your computer can't get connection, all you have to do is turn off and on the DSL or cable modem. I choose MS brand because of their customer service and the length of the warranty. I heard some horror stories for Linksys and DLink customer services, but only good things about MS's.

Rating:
Summary: Not recommended for users who already have a network
Review: 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.

Rating:
Summary: Not recommended for users who already have a network
Review: 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.

Rating:
Summary: Outcast
Review: The whole thing set up very easily in about 20 minutes for 2 computers. It probably helped that both PCs were fairly new Dells running XP. Only problem came when I downloaded the firmware update from Microsoft. After it installed, my system did not see my broadband connection until I unplugged and replugged my broadband modem.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent
Review: This is a combined review of the MN-500 / MN-510 / MN-610 since they are combined (the MN-610 is a kit of a MN-500 base station and MN-510 USB adapter). The base station installed up to the very end. It said that the installation could not complete because of a firewall or similar problem. I checked, re-checked and re-booted many times. However, I could get through to the Internet, so I had no idea why it would not continue the installation. I ended up calling technical support and they were very helpful. Since I was connecting to the Internet, everything was configured. It just would not complete and make a floppy that could be used on the other systems. So, that part had to be done manually. I was glad support was quick and helpful.

Installing the first other station was very easy, but the second was more problematic. Still, compared to other network installations, it was pretty easy.

Throughput is pretty impressive. In fact, it is just as fast on the others as it was on my base station BEFORE the wireless network. My base station varies from the same performance to THREE TIMES what it was before. I am guessing that the router doing the firewall instead of the OS doing it may account for most of the improvement.

Overall, we are very happy with it.

Rating:
Summary: Microsoft Home Networking Wireless Desktop Kit
Review: Very easy to setup, it took we about 2 hours. Had little problem at start but make sure you upgrade the firmware. My network has been up and running you about a week no problems.

Rating:
Summary: Works The best for me
Review: 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.